<i>Ameletus</i> Mayflies (Ephemeroptera: Ameletidae) of the Eastern Nearctic

Fourteen <i>Ameletus</i> species are recognized in the eastern Nearctic (south of the Artic zone), including six described as new. Keys to adult males and full-grown larvae are provided. Taxonomic decisions were based on morphologic and genetic evidence. Their justification is discussed...

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Main Author: David H. Funk
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Insects
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/16/5/530
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author David H. Funk
author_facet David H. Funk
author_sort David H. Funk
collection DOAJ
description Fourteen <i>Ameletus</i> species are recognized in the eastern Nearctic (south of the Artic zone), including six described as new. Keys to adult males and full-grown larvae are provided. Taxonomic decisions were based on morphologic and genetic evidence. Their justification is discussed in depth and four species groups are proposed. The vast majority of <i>Ameletus</i> encountered in the eastern Nearctic are members of one of three triploid, clonal parthenogenetic species, at least two of which are of hybrid origin. Bisexual progenitors of the parthenogens were inferred using a combination of mitochondrial and nuclear genetic markers. The parthenogens likely arose during the Late Pleistocene when glacial advances brought previously allopatric species/populations into contact, and as glaciers retreated the parthenogens rapidly expanded their range while the sexual lineages remained in presumed glacial refugia. Although parthenogenesis is relatively common in Ephemeroptera, these <i>Ameletus</i> represent the first known cases of polyploidy and hybrid origin.
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spelling doaj-art-17be56b0fc944ca3a0dd26a87a4dc62b2025-08-20T01:56:16ZengMDPI AGInsects2075-44502025-05-0116553010.3390/insects16050530<i>Ameletus</i> Mayflies (Ephemeroptera: Ameletidae) of the Eastern NearcticDavid H. Funk0Stroud Water Research Center, Avondale, PA 19311, USAFourteen <i>Ameletus</i> species are recognized in the eastern Nearctic (south of the Artic zone), including six described as new. Keys to adult males and full-grown larvae are provided. Taxonomic decisions were based on morphologic and genetic evidence. Their justification is discussed in depth and four species groups are proposed. The vast majority of <i>Ameletus</i> encountered in the eastern Nearctic are members of one of three triploid, clonal parthenogenetic species, at least two of which are of hybrid origin. Bisexual progenitors of the parthenogens were inferred using a combination of mitochondrial and nuclear genetic markers. The parthenogens likely arose during the Late Pleistocene when glacial advances brought previously allopatric species/populations into contact, and as glaciers retreated the parthenogens rapidly expanded their range while the sexual lineages remained in presumed glacial refugia. Although parthenogenesis is relatively common in Ephemeroptera, these <i>Ameletus</i> represent the first known cases of polyploidy and hybrid origin.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/16/5/530geographic parthenogenesispolyploidyhybridizationCOIallozymestaxonomy
spellingShingle David H. Funk
<i>Ameletus</i> Mayflies (Ephemeroptera: Ameletidae) of the Eastern Nearctic
Insects
geographic parthenogenesis
polyploidy
hybridization
COI
allozymes
taxonomy
title <i>Ameletus</i> Mayflies (Ephemeroptera: Ameletidae) of the Eastern Nearctic
title_full <i>Ameletus</i> Mayflies (Ephemeroptera: Ameletidae) of the Eastern Nearctic
title_fullStr <i>Ameletus</i> Mayflies (Ephemeroptera: Ameletidae) of the Eastern Nearctic
title_full_unstemmed <i>Ameletus</i> Mayflies (Ephemeroptera: Ameletidae) of the Eastern Nearctic
title_short <i>Ameletus</i> Mayflies (Ephemeroptera: Ameletidae) of the Eastern Nearctic
title_sort i ameletus i mayflies ephemeroptera ameletidae of the eastern nearctic
topic geographic parthenogenesis
polyploidy
hybridization
COI
allozymes
taxonomy
url https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/16/5/530
work_keys_str_mv AT davidhfunk iameletusimayfliesephemeropteraameletidaeoftheeasternnearctic