Epeorus ( Caucasiron? ) suspicatus (Braasch, 2006)

Epeorus ( Caucasiron?) suspicatus (Braasch, 2006) View in CoL

Figs 15 View Figure 15 , 16 View Figure 16

Iron suspicatus Braasch, 2006 .

Epeorus ( Caucasiron) suspicatus (Braasch, 2006): Vasanth et al. 2021: 519. View in CoL

Type locality.

Nepal: Tal, Marshyangdi River (orig. Marsyandi-Tal, Thangja) ( 2400 m a. s. l.).

Examined material

(deposited in SMNS). • 2 larvae: holotype and paratype from type locality. • 1 larva ( paratype): Nepal: Marsyandi-Tal, Bagarchap , ca. 2100 m a. s. l., 21. 05. 1980, leg. Sivec .

Distribution, habitat, and biology.

Himalayas: Nepal and India (Fig. 1 View Figure 1 ). The species inhabits rhithral zones of mountain streams. The altitude of the sampling sites ranged between 2000 and 2400 m a. s. l. Late-instar larvae were recorded in May ( Braasch 2006 a).

Main morphological diagnostics of the larva.

i) abdominal sterna with a pair of oblique stripes and a posterio-median macula (Fig. 15 I View Figure 15 ), ii) coloration of abdominal terga as on Fig. 15 G, H, iii View Figure 15 ) posterior margin of abdominal terga with sparse larger denticles separated by shorter denticles (Fig. 16 F View Figure 16 ), iv) tergum X with a short posterolateral projection (Fig. 16 L View Figure 16 , arrow), v) gill plates VII narrow (in natural position from ventral view) (Figs 15 K, L View Figure 15 , 16 K View Figure 16 ), vi) projection on gill plates III well-developed (Fig. 16 H View Figure 16 , arrow), vii) femora with a median spot (Fig. 15 F View Figure 15 ), viii) dorsal surface of femora with rounded spatulate setae (Fig. 16 D View Figure 16 ), ix) abdominal terga with elongated (oval) and rounded spatulate setae (Fig. 16 E, F View Figure 16 ).

Remarks.

Morphology. Adult stages undescribed.

Taxonomy. The attribution of the species to the subgenus E. ( Caucasiron) by Vasanth et al. (2021) was not confirmed by male genitalia or molecular data and hence remains unclear.