De Novo Genome Assembly and Annotation of an Andean Caddisfly, Atopsyche davidsoni Sykora, 1991, a Model for Genome Research of High-Elevation Adaptations.

We sequence, assemble, and annotate the genome of Atopsyche davidsoni Sykora, 1991, the first whole-genome assembly for the caddisfly family Hydrobiosidae. This free-living and predatory caddisfly inhabits streams in the high-elevation Andes and is separated by more than 200 Myr of evolutionary history from the most closely related caddisfly species with genome assemblies available. We demonstrate the promise of PacBio HiFi reads by assembling the most contiguous caddisfly genome assembly to date with a contig N50 of 14 Mb, which is more than 6× more contiguous than the current most contiguous assembly for a caddisfly (Hydropsyche tenuis). We recover 98.8% of insect BUSCO genes indicating a high level of gene completeness. We also provide a genome annotation of 12,232 annotated proteins. This new genome assembly provides an important new resource for studying genomic adaptation of aquatic insects to harsh, high-altitude environments.

Checklist of the caddisflies (Insecta, Trichoptera) of the Upper Midwest region of the United States.

Five hundred and fifty-two caddisfly species are reported from the Upper Midwest region of the United States, an area that includes 13 states and ~ 2 million km2. Of these, 62 species are reported for the first time from the state of Iowa, 25 from Wisconsin, 18 from South Dakota, 12 from Illinois, five from Indiana, four from North Dakota, four from Minnesota, and one from Nebraska. The Upper Midwest fauna contains nearly 40% of all species known from the United States and Canada, as well as 22 species endemic to the region. Overall species richness was highest in Michigan (319 species), Kentucky (296), Minnesota (292), and Wisconsin (284). Differences in state species assemblages within the region largely followed a geographic pattern, with species richness declining in the western prairie states. There are almost certainly further species remaining to be found in this large region.

A preliminary molecular phylogeny of the family Hydroptilidae (Trichoptera): an exploration of combined targeted enrichment data and legacy sequence data.

Hydroptilidae is an extremely diverse family within Trichoptera, containing over 2,600 known species, that displays a wide array of ecological, morphological, and habitat diversity. However, exploration into the evolutionary history of microcaddisflies based on current phylogenetic methods is mostly lacking. The purpose of this study is to provide a proof-of-concept that the use of molecular data, particularly targeted enrichment data, and statistically supported methods of analysis can result in the construction of a stable phylogenetic framework for the microcaddisflies. Here, a preliminary exploration of the hydroptilid phylogeny is presented using a combination of targeted enrichment data for ca. 300 nuclear protein-coding genes and legacy (Sanger-based) sequence data for the mitochondrial COI gene and partial sequence from the 28S rRNA gene.

A new genus and new species of Ecuadorian Philopotamidae (Trichoptera).

A new genus and species of Philopotamidae (Trichoptera), Sumacodellaelongata, is described from the southern slope of Volcán Sumaco in Ecuador. This new genus differs from other philopotamid genera by having very elongate, narrow anterolateral apodemes on segment IX and the inferior appendages, a very elongate and narrow tergum X, and a very elongate, tubular phallus. In addition, two new species of Wormaldia are also described and illustrated from Sumaco as well as three new Chimarra (Chimarra), one new Chimarra (Curgia), and one new Chimarra (Otarrha) from the eastern and western slopes of the Ecuadorian Andes.

New Atanatolica species from Ecuador (Trichoptera, Leptoceridae).

Four new species of Atanatolica Mosely are described from Ecuador: A.andina sp. n., A.angulata sp. n., A.curvata sp. n., and A.decouxi sp. n. These species belong to the A.dominicana group and constitute new records of the genus from Chimborazo, Imbabura, and Napo Provinces. Additionally, A.andina sp. n. represents the highest elevation recorded for any species in the genus at 3900 m. Size class data are also presented suggesting continuous larval growth for the probable larva of A.decouxi sp. n., described and illustrated here. A new distribution record is provided for A.manabi from Carchi Province.

New species and a new genus of Philopotamidae from the Andes of Bolivia and Ecuador (Insecta, Trichoptera).

A new genus and species of Philopotamidae (Philopotaminae), Aymaradellaboliviana, is described from the Bolivian Andes of South America. The new genus differs from other Philopotaminae by the loss of 2A vein in the hind wing and, in the male genitalia, the synscleritous tergum and sternum of segment VIII, and the elongate sclerotized dorsal processes of segment VIII. The first record of Hydrobiosella (Philopotaminae) in the New World is also provided with a new species from the Andes of Ecuador, Hydrobiosellaandina. In addition, a new species of the Neotropical genus Chimarrhodella (Chimarrinae), Chimarrhodellachoco, is described from the Choco-Andean region of Ecuador, and Chimarrhodellaperuviana (Ross) is recorded from Ecuador for the first time. Lastly, Wormaldiaimbrialis (Philopotaminae), new species, is described, also from the Ecuadorian Choco.

Nectopsyche of Ecuador: a new species from the high Andean páramo and redescription of Nectopsyche spiloma (Ross) (Trichoptera: Leptoceridae).

The male and female of a new species of long-horned caddisfly, Nectopsyche paramo, are described from the high Andes of Ecuador. The new species was found above 4,000 m, representing the highest recorded elevation for a species in the genus. The larval stage of the species is also described. Only a total of 13 larvae were collected during a 17-month sampling program and 11 adults, suggesting that the species is rare. Larvae were found mainly in leaf packs. A male and female were observed in a mating swarm ca. 3 m above a stream during late afternoon. In addition, we redescribe the adult male of Nectopsyche spiloma (Ross), previously known from Ecuador from unsubstantiated literature records.

New species of the endemic Neotropical caddisfly genus Contulma from the Andes of Ecuador (Trichoptera: Anomalopsychidae).

The genus Contulma Flint (Trichoptera: Anomalopsychidae) is composed mostly of regionally endemic species occurring above 2,000 m, with a few more widespread species and some that are found at lower elevations. Adults of three new species of Contulma are described and illustrated from the Andes of Ecuador, Contulma lina, new species, Contulma quito, new species, and Contulma sangay, new species. These species are similar to previously described species from the region, including C. paluguillensis, C. nevada, and C. lancelolata. New provincial records are provided for C. bacula, C. cataracta, and C. echinata. Contulma duffi Oláh, 2016 is considered a junior, subjective synonym of C. penai, Holzenthal & Flint, 1995. Also, we provide an identification key to males of the 30 Contulma species now known.

Two new species of the rare Neotropical caddisfly genus Amphoropsyche Holzenthal (Trichoptera, Leptoceridae).

Two new species in the rare, endemic Neotropical caddisfly genus Amphoropsyche Holzenthal, 1985 are described from Ecuador (A. carchisp. n.) and Peru (A. matsigenkasp. n.) bringing to 17 the number of species known in the genus. Almost all species are known from only a few individuals and from even fewer localities. The new species belong to a group of 10 other species that have tergum X in the male genitalia divided into a mesal process and a pair of lateral processes. Amphoropsyche carchi can be separated from those species by the rounded mesal concavity, the short mesobasal lobe, and the short 2nd article of the inferior appendage, while A. matsigenka can be diagnosed by the very slender and straight inferior appendage, which bears a pair of spine-like mesoventral projections. We also present a new record for Amphoropsyche tandayapa Holzenthal & Rázuri-Gonzales, 2011, from Ecuador, previously known only from the male holotype.

New Cernotina caddisflies from the Ecuadorian Amazon (Trichoptera: Polycentropodidae).

Two new species of the caddisfly genus Cernotina Ross, 1938 (Polycentropodidae) are described from the lowland Amazon basin of Ecuador, Cernotina tiputini, new species, and Cernotina waorani, new species. These represent the first new species described from this region. We also record from Ecuador for the first time Cernotina hastilis Flint, previously known from Tobago, and present new Ecuadorian locality records for C. cygnea Flint, and C. lobisomem Santos & Nessimian. The homology of the intermediate appendage of the male genitalia of this genus is established. The region surveyed is under severe environmental threat from logging, mining, and crude oil extraction, making the description of the biodiversity of the region imperative.

Fourteen new species of Oecetis McLachlan, 1877 (Trichoptera: Leptoceridae) from the Neotropical region.

BACKGROUND: The caddisfly genus Oecetis currently contains 534 valid species. Its larval stages are found in freshwaters around the world. The adults can be distinguished from other Leptoceridae by the unbranched forewing M vein and the exceptionally long maxillary palps. In the Neotropical region, 55 species of Oecetis have been recorded and most of them can be placed in one of the six species groups known from this biogeographical region: the avara-, falicia-, inconspicua-, punctata-, punctipennis-, and testacea-groups. More than 50% of the known diversity of Neotropical Oecetis has been described in the past 40 years. Here, we describe an additional 14 new species of Oecetis to further document the diversity of this genus in the Neotropical region. METHODS: The descriptions and illustrations presented here are based on male specimens. Specimens were collected with Malaise traps or ultraviolet light traps. They were preserved in alcohol or pinned as stated in material examined section. Specimens had their genitalia prepared in 85% lactic acid to better observe internal characters and illustrations were aided by the use of a microscope with drawing tube attached. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: This study raises the number of species of Oecetis in the Neotropics from 55 to 69. Eight of the new species presented here could not be reliably placed in one of the known species groups (Oecetis acuticlasper n. sp., Oecetis flinti n. sp., Oecetis carinata n. sp., Oecetis cassicoleata n. sp., Oecetis blahniki n. sp., Oecetis gibbosa n. sp., Oecetis licina n. sp., and Oecetis pertica n. sp.). The others are placed in the punctata-group (Oecetis bidigitata n. sp., Oecetis quasipunctata n. sp.), testacea-group (Oecetis plenuspinosa n. sp.), and falicia-group (Oecetis calori n. sp., Oecetis hastapulla n. sp., Oecetis machaera n. sp.). Most of the diagnostic characters rely on structures of the inferior appendages and phallic apparatus, and the shape of tergum X.

Catalog of the Neotropical Trichoptera (Caddisflies).

The Neotropical caddisfly (Trichoptera) fauna is cataloged from a review of over 1,000 literature citations through 2015 (partial 2016) to include 3,262 currently recognized, valid species-group names in 25 families and 155 extant genera. Fourteen subspecies are included in the total as well as 35 fossil species and 1 fossil genus. The region covered includes all of Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and South America. Genus-group and species-group synonyms are listed. For each nominal species, information on the type locality, type depository, sex of type, distribution by country, and other pertinent taxonomic or biological information is included. Summary information on taxonomy, phylogeny, distribution, immature stages, and biology are provided for each family and genus where known. An extensive index to all nominal taxa is included to facilitate use of the catalog. The glossosomatid species Mexitrichia usseglioi Rueda Martín & Gibon, is transferred to Mortoniellacomb. n.

Diversity and distribution of the Caddisflies (Insecta: Trichoptera) of Ecuador.

BACKGROUND: Aquatic insects and other freshwater animals are some of the most threatened forms of life on Earth. Caddisflies (Trichoptera) are highly biodiverse in the Neotropics and occupy a wide variety of freshwater habitats. In Andean countries, including Ecuador, knowledge of the aquatic biota is limited, and there is a great need for baseline data on the species found in these countries. Here we present the first list of Trichoptera known from Ecuador, a country that harbors two global biodiversity "hotspots." METHODS: We conducted a literature review of species previously reported from Ecuador and supplemented these data with material we collected during five recent field inventories from about 40 localities spanning both hotspots. Using species presence data for each Ecuadorian province, we calculated the CHAO 2 species estimator to obtain the minimum species richness for the country. RESULTS: We recorded 310 species, including 48 new records from our own field inventories for the country. CHAO 2 calculations showed that only 54% of the species have been found. Hydroptilidae and Hydropsychidae were the most species rich families. We report the family Xiphocentronidae for the first time from Ecuador as well as several new records of genera from different families. DISCUSSION: As in the neighboring Andean countries of Colombia and Peru, it is common to find undescribed species of caddisflies. There are vast areas of Ecuador and the northern Andes that are completely unexplored, and we expect that hundreds of new species are yet to be discovered.

The Trichoptera barcode initiative: a strategy for generating a species-level Tree of Life.

DNA barcoding was intended as a means to provide species-level identifications through associating DNA sequences from unknown specimens to those from curated reference specimens. Although barcodes were not designed for phylogenetics, they can be beneficial to the completion of the Tree of Life. The barcode database for Trichoptera is relatively comprehensive, with data from every family, approximately two-thirds of the genera, and one-third of the described species. Most Trichoptera, as with most of life's species, have never been subjected to any formal phylogenetic analysis. Here, we present a phylogeny with over 16 000 unique haplotypes as a working hypothesis that can be updated as our estimates improve. We suggest a strategy of implementing constrained tree searches, which allow larger datasets to dictate the backbone phylogeny, while the barcode data fill out the tips of the tree. We also discuss how this phylogeny could be used to focus taxonomic attention on ambiguous species boundaries and hidden biodiversity. We suggest that systematists continue to differentiate between 'Barcode Index Numbers' (BINs) and 'species' that have been formally described. Each has utility, but they are not synonyms. We highlight examples of integrative taxonomy, using both barcodes and morphology for species description.This article is part of the themed issue 'From DNA barcodes to biomes'.

Three new species of Helicopsyche von Siebold (Trichoptera: Helicopsychidae) from Brazil.

Three new species of Helicopsyche subgenus Feropsyche (Trichoptera: Helicopsychidae) from southern and southeastern Brazil are diagnosed, described, and illustrated: Helicopsyche angeloi sp. nov. (Holotype male deposited in MZSP: Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo States), H. guara sp. nov. (Holotype male deposited in MZSP: Minas Gerais and Santa Catarina States) and H. lazzariae sp. nov. (Holotype male in MZSP: Paraná State). The first two species are similar to H. cipoensis Johanson & Malm, 2006, and H. timbira Silva, Santos & Nessimian, 2014, in having similarly shaped inferior appendages. However, the new species differs in the morphology and distribution of setae on the inferior appendages and tergum X. Helicopsyche lazzariae sp. nov. is unlike any other described species in the subgenus Feropsyche because of its broad deltoid-shaped inferior appendage and absence of a basomesal process on the inferior appendage. Characters important for diagnosing and describing new species of Helicopsyche (Feropsyche) are discussed. Finally, an updated checklist of the 23 species recorded for Brazil is presented.

New synonyms in the highly diverse caddisfly genus Smicridea (Trichoptera, Hydropsychidae).

In this paper, Smicridea (Rhyacophylax) repula Oláh & Johanson, 2012 is synonymized with Smicridea (Rhyacophylax) lobata (Ulmer, 1909), and the species Leptonema islamarga Botosaneanu, 2002 is transferred to Smicridea (Rhyacophylax) as a synonym of Smicridea lobata. Additionally, we present more detailed illustrations of the male genitalia of Smicridea (Rhyacophylax) lobata and Smicridea (Rhyacophylax) signata (Banks, 1903), and include notes on their distributions to aid in the identification of these two, often-confused species.

A new Ecuadorian species of the rare Neotropical caddisfly genus Amphoropsyche Holzenthal (Trichoptera, Leptoceridae).

A new species of the rare long-horned caddisfly genus Amphoropsyche Holzenthal is described from Ecuador, bringing the number of species known from the genus to 15. All species are very regional in their distributions and known only from very few specimens. The new species, Amphoropsyche real, is similar to a number of previously described species from Colombia (Amphoropsyche ayura, Amphoropsyche cauca, Amphoropsyche flinti, Amphoropsyche quebrada, and Amphoropsyche stellata) and Ecuador (Amphoropsyche napo and Amphoropsyche tandayapa). The males can be distinguished from the others by features of segment X of the male genitalia, especially the prominent midlateral and subapicodorsal spinelike setae. An updated taxonomic key to males of the genus is provided.

Revision of the Neotropical species of the caddisfly genus Wormaldia McLachlan (Trichoptera: Philopotamidae).

Wormaldia McLachlan 1865 is the 2nd largest genus in the family Philopotamidae (Trichoptera) after Chimarra Stephens 1829 and is diverse and widely distributed, with ca. 175 extant species in all biogeographic regions except the Australasian. In this monograph, 14 previously described species are recognized for the Neotropical region: W. alicia Bueno-Soria, Santiago-Fragoso, & Barba-Alvarez 2005 [Mexico]; W. arizonensis (Ling 1938) [Mexico, USA]; W. cornuta Bueno-Soria & Holzenthal1986 [Mexico]; W. dampfi Ross & King 1956 [Mexico, Nicaragua]; W. dorsata Ross & King 1956 [Mexico]; W. endonima Ross & King 1956 [Mexico]; W. esperonis Ross & King 1956 [Mexico]; W. insignis (Martynov 1912) [Peru]; W. luma Bueno-Soria & Holzenthal 1986 [Mexico]; W. matagalpa Flint 1995 [Costa Rica, Guatemala, Nicaragua]; W. palma Flint 1991 [Colombia]; W. planae Ross & King 1956 [southwestern USA, Mexico, Caribbean, Central America, and northern South America]; W. prolixa Flint 1991[Colombia]; and W. tarasca Bueno-Soria & Holzenthal 1986 [Mexico]. Also, 36 additional Neotropical species are newly diagnosed, described, and illustrated: W. andrea [Ecuador]; W. anhelitus [Central America]; W. araujoi [Ecuador]; W. aymara [Bolivia]; W. barbai [Mexico]; W. bolivari [Venezuela]; W. boteroi [Colombia]; W. buenorum [Mexico]; W. calderonae [Mexico]; W. chrismark [Panama]; W. contrerasi [Panama]; W. dachiardiorum [Colombia]; W. eberhardi [Panama]; W. flinti [Bolivia, Panama]; W. francovilla [Panama]; W. fredycarol [Costa Rica, Panama]; W. gallardoi [Costa Rica, Panama]; W. gonzalezae [Venezuela]; W. hedamafera [Costa Rica, Nicaragua]; W. imberti [Costa Rica]; W. inca [Peru]; W. isela [Mexico]; W. juarox [Costa Rica]; W. lauglo [Panama]; W. machadorum [Costa Rica, Panama]; W. maesi [Nicaragua]; W. menchuae [Guatemala]; W. monsonorum [Costa Rica]; W. navarroae [Mexico]; W. paprockevi [Costa Rica]; W. saboriorum [Panama]; W. tocajoma [Costa Rica]; W. trondi [Costa Rica, Panama]; W. tupacamara [Bolivia]; W. zunigae [Colombia]; and W. zunigarceorum [Costa Rica, Panama]. In addition, the species W. arcopa Denning 1966 from Panama is considered a junior subjective synonym of W. planae. Furthermore, new distribution records for the Neotropical region for several species are given. Diagnoses, redescriptions, and illustrations of the male genitalia of the other 14 described Neotropical species in the genus are also presented. Illustrations of the forewing and hind wing of 19 species are also given. A structural terminology for male tergum X is proposed. Finally, a key for identification of males of all Neotropical species is provided.

A revision of the Neotropical caddisfly genus Leucotrichia Mosely, 1934 (Hydroptilidae, Leucotrichiinae).

A revision of Leucotrichia (Trichoptera, Hydroptilidae) is provided, including a generic diagnosis, illustrations, a key, and descriptions of males. A total of 43 species are treated, 13 described as new: Leucotrichiaangelinae sp. n. (Venezuela), Leucotrichiadenticulata sp. n. (Mexico), Leucotrichiadianeae sp. n (Costa Rica), Leucotrichiafulminea sp. n. (Ecuador), Leucotrichiahispida sp. n. (Costa Rica), Leucotrichiakateae sp. n. (Venezuela), Leucotrichiapectinata sp. n. (Ecuador), Leucotrichiaprocera sp. n. (Brazil), Leucotrichiarepanda sp. n. (Venezuela), Leucotrichiarhomba sp. n. (Costa Rica), Leucotrichiariostoumae sp. n. (Ecuador), Leucotrichiasidneyi sp. n. (Venezuela), and Leucotrichiatapantia sp. n. (Costa Rica).

Review and redescription of species in the Oecetis avara group, with the description of 15 new species (Trichoptera, Leptoceridae).

The O. avara group of Oecetis is formally defined to include 4 described species, O. avara (Banks), O. disjuncta (Banks), O. elata Denning & Sykora, and O. metlacenis Bueno-Soria, and 15 new species. Oecetis marquesi Bueno-Soria, previously considered a member of the O. avara group, is treated as incertae sedis to species group, but is also redescribed and treated in the current work. New species described here (with their respective distributions) include: O. acciptrina (Costa Rica, Panama, Ecuador), O. agosta (Mexico), O. angularis (Guatemala to Ecuador), O. apache (SW USA), O. campana (Ecuador), O. constricta (Mexico to Ecuador, Venezuela, and Trinidad), O. houghtoni (North America), O. maritza (Costa Rica), O. mexicana (Mexico to Ecuador), O. patula (Guatemala, Nicaragua), O. protrusa (Mexico to Ecuador), O. sordida (Mexico, USA, Canada), O. tumida (Costa Rica), O. uncata (Costa Rica), and O. verrucula (Mexico to Costa Rica). A key to the species is also provided.