Procladius gemma Brodin, 2025

Procladius gemma Brodin , new species

Material examined (n = 3). FINLAND, 1 adult male (Paratype of P. gemma , as Procladius sp. ), Galddoaivi, Sullamintie, 69.9°N 27.0°E, 90 m a.s.l., 0 °C m.a.t., 8.vii.2003, leg. J. Salmela.— RUSSIA, 1 adult male (Holotype of P. gemma, IANR ), tundra ponds, east of Naryan-Mar, Yarey-shor, 67.62°N 53.70°E, 20 m a.s.l., ‒3 °C m.a.t., 29.vii.1990, leg. A. Rybakova; 1 adult male (Paratype of P. gemma, IANR ), tundra ponds, east of Naryan-Mar, Yarey-shor, 67.62°N 53.70°E, 20 m a.s.l., ‒3 °C m.a.t., 29.vii.1990, leg. A. Rybakova.

Diagnostic characters. Figs. 21 View FIGURES 20‒23 , 50‒52 View FIGURES 50‒52 , key couplet 5. P. gemma is easily distinguished from other species of Procladius by the ball-formed projection of tergite IX and the special form of the medioapodeme.Together with the very different P. flavifrons , it is the only species of Procladius in Europe with more than 4 setae on the katepisternum.

Neither the female, pupa nor larva are known. No barcodes have been identified.

Geographical distribution and ecology. The two sites where adults of P. gemma have been collected lay at latitude 68 and 70°N in northern Russia and northernmost Finland. The altitude of the sites is 90 m and 20 m respectively. Mean annual temperature ranges from 0 to ‒3 °C. Both sites are rather pristine palsa mires with discontinuous permafrost, containing small lakes and ponds in the Finnish site and only small ponds in the Russian one. The sites and their surroundings are treeless or with low birch forest somewhat influenced by domesticated reindeer ( Rangifer tarandus ).

Larval ecology of P. gemma is unknown, but the findings suggest that it is a cold-stenothermal inhabitant of shallow ponds. Adult males have been found during July. P. gemma is probably a rare species, since it is an easily identified and relatively large species of Chironomidae with unique genitalia characters.

Countries with records of P. gemma are Finland and Russia.

References. Paasivirta 2012.