The Taxonomy of Mayflies and Aquatic Invertebrates
Research Updates
February 12, 2010
- A two day taxonomic workshop was held February 9-10 in Albury/Wodonga with over 40 participants. Topics included:
- Dichotomous and LUCID keys for larvae of 57 species of Australian Baetidae (Jeff Webb & Phil Suter)[to be published as a Museum of Victoria Science Report]
- Dichotomous and LUCID keys for the genera of adult mayflies (Phil Suter & Jeff Webb)
- Ecology of Hydraenidae (Coleoptera)(Nick Porch)
September 7, 2009
- "Centroptilum" adult key updated. Pictures will be updated soon.
- Key for larval "Centroptilum" added! Pictures coming soon.
August 24, 2009
- New publication "Key to the mature nymphs of Coloburiscoides (Lestage) (Ephemeroptera: Coloburiscidae). " is now available here. [external pdf]
- New project initiated by honours student Julia Mynott (supervisors Jeff Webb and Phil Suter) at La Trobe, studying the alpine species of Riekoperla (Plecoptera: Griptopterygidae)
May 22, 2009
- morphological differences have finally be found between larvae of two species of Edmundsiops/Offadens that we thought were cryptic. We've recently also found adults for both of these species and there are differences in colour patterns in both the males and females, and in wing venation of the females.
- DNA extractions have now been done on almost all species of Jappa (Leptophlebiidae) and the first COI sequences should arrive soon. We are working on EF1a and CAD amplifications for assessing relationships.
April, 2009
- The baetid genus Edmundsiops has found to be paraphyletic as it includes Offadens (see thephylogeny page. As a result, either Offadens and Edmundsiops will have to be synonymised, or an additional genus will have to be established. Three genera do not currently 'make sense' morphologically, but we are trying some additional loci and incorporating morphological characters into the analyses to clarify the situation.
- COI sequences have arrived for the last two remining species in Edmundsiops (E. sp15 and E. G4sp1) as well as several additional species of Offadens, Centroptilum, and Cloeon. We now have COI sequences for nearly all species of Australian baetids. The only species for which we lack fresh material for DNA extraction are Offadens WAsp2, some of the far northern Pseudocloeon, one Centroptilum, and some of the Cloeon.
- COI sequences show three species of Ameletoides (Nesameletidae) present on the mainland of Australia with one species confined to each of the three high alpine areas of Mts. Kosciuzsko, Bogong, and Buller. Fresh material of specimens from Tasmania has been obtained and is expected to represent an additional species.
- Morphospecies have been delimited for larvae of Centroptilum and fresh material has been obtained for nearly all species. Through molecular associations and rearing, several of the adults have been associated. A (very) preliminary key has been constructed for the larvae.
People
- Phil Suter Project Lead
- Jeff Webb Early Career Researcher
- John Hawking ? PhD? Student
- Steve Moore? Technical Officer
Mayflies
Aquatic Caterpillars
Specimen Wish List
Links
Humour
Q. What did God say to the mayfly?
A. "Have a nice day!"
Publisher: "We can't publish your book 'The Life of the Mayfly' - it is only a page long!"
With one day to to live, mayflies throw the wildest parties in the insect class.
Doctor: "The good news it is only a 24 hour bug. The bad news is you are a mayfly."
Q. What comes after a mayfly?
A. A June bug.
Mayfly: "sure I've got a life - a whole day!"
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