Agaphylax, a new limnephilid genus (Trichoptera) from the Balkan: Lineage ranking by adaptive paramere

2018·0.83 MB·

by  Oláh, J

Opusc. Zool. Budapest, 2018, 49(1): 77–89

Agaphylax, a new limnephilid genus (Trichoptera) from the Balkan:
Lineage ranking by adaptive paramere

J. OLÁH1, T. KOVÁCS2 & H. IBRAHIMI3

1János Oláh, Residence postal address: Tarján u. 28, H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary.
E-mail: [email protected]
2Tibor Kovács, Mátra Museum of the Hungarian Natural History Museum, Kossuth L. str. 40. H-3200 Gyöngyös,
Hungary. E-mail: [email protected]
3Halil Ibrahimi, University of Prishtina, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Department of Biology,
Mother Teresa p.n., 10000 Prishtina, Kosovo. E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract. A new genus, Agaphylax gen. nov. is erected for a new species, Agaphylax balcanicus collected in the Balkan
Peninsula (Macedonia). The new genus is established primarily on the uniquely organised paramere with character combi-
nations of the cerci and paraproct complex. This unique taxon confirms recent findings in Dicosmoecinae and Drusinae
subfamilies and Hesperophylacini tribe suggesting that parameres may have high ranking value and real capacity to detect
ancestral and contemporary lineage divergences in the Limnephilinae subfamily. Theoretical aspects of taxonomical ranking
are discussed briefly in order to understand the biological ranking value of the paramere traits: semiotic/semiolo-
gic/semantic/hermeneutic epistemology; specific/generic, ancestral/derived, complex/simple, adaptive/neutral characters;
speciation super traits/limits of single traits; unweighted/weighted characters. Ancestral paramere structures, the basic ples-
iomorphic paramere patterns are presented along transformation series of simplification in the five tribes of Limnephilinae
subfamily, as a working hypothesis for a future comprehensive paramere revision.

Keywords. New limnephilid genus, taxonomic ranking, speciation, super trait, paramere organisation.

INTRODUCTION tribe ranking capacity within the subfamily. How-
ever, to understand its real ranking value syste-
In the course of the Hungarian Trichoptera stu- matic comparative studies are required on the
dies on the Balkan Peninsula we have collected paramere as well as on the related genitalic cha-
an unknown limnephiline species with strikingly racters in the entire Limnephilinae subfamily. In
unique paramere structure. The broad wing shape, this paper we describe the new genus and species
the anastomosal pattern on forewing, the not par- with a brief survey on ranking theory and with an
ticularly massive genital structure of the new outline of the possible paramere organisation stra-
species resembles the adults in the Stenophylacini tegies in the tribes of the subfamily.
tribe of the Limnephilinae subfamily, but not fit
well with any of its known genera. Moreover, the It is not easy to determine the taxonomic rank
right angled and ramose seta-less apical region of of our newly discovered taxon. Phenomics, de-
the vertically flattened paramere does not fit well void of human and financial resources, is badly
either with the basic paramere pattern of any of suppressed, particularly the character ranking with
the known tribes. Based on this unusual paramere morphological characters. Phenomic criteria of
with apical upright branching here we describe biological ranking are not well grounded. The em-
the new genus Agaphylax and the new species pirical reality is replaced by virtual surrogacy of
Agaphylax balcanicus with the possibility of molecular clades. Taxonomic impediments pro-
future tribe ranking. The ramose apical region of duced other funny surrogacies as well in the de-
the adaptive trait of the parameres signifies the clining taxonomy that are the replacement of
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
urn: lsid:zoobank.org:pub:4D7FF98A-9B1F-4527-B9BF-0FB1D47A5C7C published: 27 June 2018
HU ISSN 2063-1588 (online), HU ISSN 0237-5419 (print) http://dx.doi.org/10.18348/opzool.2018.1.77
Oláh, Kovács & Ibrahimi: Agaphylax, a new limnephilid genus from the Balkan

species by morphospecies in biodiversity assess- veral taxonomical questions remained unsettled
ment (Oliver & Beattie 1996) or by higher ranked (Grigorenko 2002). There was a significant trial to
taxa like genera or families (Bertrand et al. 2006) corroborate phylogenetically informative charac-
in assessing community responses to environmen- ter phenomics in order to polarize characters and
tal drivers (Bevilacqua et al. 2012). In our time to reveal transformation series in searching for
these taxonomical surrogacies are the striking synapomorphies (Vshivkova 2006, Vshivkova et
signs and the painful anti-science consequences of al. 2007). Binary character coding, polarized
the staggering taxonomy. These wasteful trials transformation series were established and ana-
give no any semiotic, semiologic, semantic or her- lysed in a huge number of morphological charac-
meneutic background to taxonomic ranking prac- ters. However, without real biological character
tices. weighting the final result of various lineages with
various bootstrap values has no real basis for the
Evolutionary clades of generic rank of natural hermeneutics of the subfamily. Increasing the
kinds are inherently variable in different groups of number of unweighted morphological or mole-
organisms. Additionally, genus ranking as nomi- cular characters doesn’t help us much to find the
nal kind is semi-subjective and has its own tra- speciation or diverging traits, either phenomic or
dition in every group of organisms. Phenomic and genomic. Only phenetic species concept in taxo-
genomic construals in genus designation are not nomy and phenetic clade construction in syste-
standardized and involve highly varying group- matics believes that a system can be reduced to
dependent phenomics and divergence histories. the sum of its part. Nevertheless both pheneticists
Organisational closure of constraints in bacterial and cladists prefer to apply large set of evidence
autonomy against divergences is significantly be considered. Quantification alone doesn’t create
modified at higher organisation levels which have biological interpretation. This quantitative mask-
much more emergent components. Additionally, ing procedure of applying as much number of trait
rank allocations in current taxonomic practices are evidence as possible does not give adequate
limited by heterogeneous mixture of various his- importance to apomorphic characters of “evolu-
torical and contemporary views dominated by tionary novelties” which are inherently more
genomics over phenomics. Ranking in phyloge- informative as well as has higher weight and
netic trees is ruled by molecular clades and re- ranking value in phylogenetic relations. Finding
sulted in empirically non-nested taxa. The virtual speciation traits or genes responsible for
molecular clades of taxonomic surrogacy lack reproductive isolation alone can delineate taxa.
justification (Bertland et al. 2006). Vainly beating We cannot avoid a value judgement stating that
the air with this molecular trials, the rate at which one character is a better indicator of phylogeny
new taxa are described has “barely changed” in than another.
the last 100 years. Taxonomy is almost the same
as it was 100 years ago (Baum 2009). Not THEORY OF RANKING
surprising that we face difficulties to cope with
the phenomic ranking of our unique taxon col- In taxonomy we face every day the questions
lected in Macedonia. which characters or character combinations indi-
cate species or genus level ranking along the taxo-
There are only uncertain biological ranking nomic hierarchies? Which level of phenomic or
ideas for limnephilid genera and tribes created genomic divergences denotes species or genus le-
more than half century ago (Schmid 1955). Later, vel differences? We establish species and genera
the unreliability of tribe definitions in separating and other higher hierarchies of nominal kinds by
Limnephilini and Stenophylacini tribes was re- characters and character combinations of natural
minded (Schmid 1998) and re-examined (Malicky kinds. During this taxonomic practice we apply
2001). Due to the lack of sound genus and tribe unconsciously the procedures and theories of va-
ranking criteria in Limnephilinae subfamily se- rious sciences: (1) semiotics (general science of
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Oláh, Kovács & Ibrahimi: Agaphylax, a new limnephilid genus from the Balkan

sign), the triadic view of the world (sign, object, clusters; (4) cluster of populations; (5) ecological
mind) as an act of representation; (2) semiology entities; (6) morphologically distinct entities; (7)
(applied science of signs) as an act of articulation formal names of nominal kind.
based on Kantian dichotomy of phenomenal
(mental: subjective) and noumenal (material: Specific and generic characters. Trait is the
objective) worlds; (3) semantics (science of mean- phenotypic variation of a character. For instance
ing), the relation between sign or set of signs and in the limnephiline subfamily the pattern of para-
what they denote, their semantic content; (4) her- mere head is a character, the bilobed head shape
meneutics (science of interpretation): Heidegger’s pattern is a trait. Character is to be understood in
epistemological hermeneutics: idealism that our the sense of quality. Such qualities can either be
understanding determines entities or realism that inherited or acquired over a period of time, with
nature exists and science explains how it is struc- interaction between intrinsic and extrinsic envi-
tured. Regardless of our scientific trials intrin- ronment. A phenotypic trait, or simply trait, is a
sically linked, unavoidable mistakes obscure our distinct variant of a phenotypic characteristic of
practice in character ranking and compromise its an organism; it may be either inherited or deter-
epistemic utility in pessimistic meta-induction. mined environmentally, but typically occurs as a
There are a few pertinent questions worth to re- combination of the two. A trait is a characteristic
view briefly. They may help us to answer the or a feature of a species that is inherited normally
question; how to distinguish character combi- genealogically.
nations in order to delineate taxa and to establish
taxonomical hierarchies. Which character is All the species of a genus resemble each other,
specific or generic? Which character state is and in which they differ from allied genera, are
ancestral or derived? Which character has higher called generic characters. Traits in which species
ranking value? Does complete/complex or simple differ from other species of the same genus are
trait represent higher ranking value? Does called specific characters. Specific characters are
adaptive or neutral trait offer higher ranking more variable than generic. Parts which have
value? Why single character is inadequate? Why recently and largely varied, being more likely still
unweighted character is inaccurate? Why and how to go on varying than parts which have long been
adaptive traits compensate for ranking with single inherited and have not varied. Secondary sexual
and unweighted characters? characters are highly variable. It will also be ad-
mitted that species of the same group differ from
Generic ranking by phenomics each other more widely in their secondary sexual
characters, than in other parts of their organi-
Does this unique ramose paramere apex fulfil sation.
or satisfy alone the ranking criteria of genus or
tribe in Limnephilinae subfamily? To identify any Species are nested within genera, genera
particular organism it is essential to specify at within families, family within orders, and order
least the rank of the species and the rank of the within classes. The same Linnean system of rank-
genus. Taxonomic ranks are objective natural ing has survived the elucidation of evolution, its
kinds; they are clade particulars (set of indivi- driving force, genetics, population genetics, and
duals) in the phylogeny; but they denote subjec- the revised concept of monophyly as well as the
tively defined constructs of nominal kinds; rank revolution of molecular phylogenetics. In recent
designations are based on dissimilarities between years criticisms focused on instabilities of taxon
individuals or groups of organisms. In the every- names produced by shifts in ranking practice
day discourse and even in rigorous scientific com- based on shared traits rather than shared ancestry
munication there are still imprecision over the and on inconsistency, the lack of standardization
meaning of the genus: genera are (1) objects of of taxonomic ranks across different kinds of
natural kinds; (2) evolutionary units; (3) lineage organisms. The trial to standardize taxonomic
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Oláh, Kovács & Ibrahimi: Agaphylax, a new limnephilid genus from the Balkan

ranks by the absolute time of evolutionary origin Complex or simple? In caddisfly phylogeny
measured by simple, relaxed or calibrated mole- Ross (1956) preferred the simple, Schmid (1958)
cular clock, the temporal banding approach argued for the complete structure. According to
proved that taxa in Linnean ranking are highly the Williston’s law the structures tend toward
nonstandardized, temporary. Various clades in reduction: structural parts are reduced by loss and
different groups of living creatures of the same fusion (Williston 1914). A general evolution pat-
taxonomic rank can be associated with very wide tern of reduction in structural parts was demon-
range of evolutionary ages (Avise & Liu 2011). strated by Gregory (1935). An ancestor must be
Similarly to the molecular clock procedure, the constituted by the integration of the largest pos-
temporal banding was again a primitive wishful sible number of characters (Schmid 1979). Based
trial, a simplistic, virtual mathematical abstraction upon these considerations we have selected the
of reality: how can anyone compare primates, structurally most complex parameres for the an-
caddisflies, fungi, plants and bacteria genera and cestral plesiomorphic state both in the Potamo-
suppose they have similar absolute evolutionary phylax nigricornis species group (Oláh et al.
time of origin? 2013) and in the Allogamus genus (Oláh et al.
2014). Our decision is confirmed by the simple
Ancestral or derived? To distinguish between fact that the ancestral species with the most com-
present-day descendant and long-dead ancestors plex paramere has the largest distributional area,
remained a permanent unresolved reverent task of compared to large series of diverged peripatric
taxonomy. What were the characteristics of ex- sibling species with reduced complexity of para-
tinct ancestor? Which characters are more an- meres and with small distributional area. Never-
cestral (earlier organised) or more derived (re- theless we have considered that the terms simple,
cently organised)? How to establish reliable cha- complex, primitive, generalized, specialized, are
racter ranking? To establish which traits or all strictly comparative (Ross 1956, Schmid
character states are adaptive versus neutral or 1958).
plesiomorphic versus apomorphic we rely upon
evidences of sexual integration as well as consi- Complexity could arise, not by incremental
dering the universal principles of commonality, addition but by incremental subtraction (Oláh et
diversity, generality, hierarchy, locality, and al. 2014). The reduction in the number of struc-
parsimony (Winther 2009, Schmitt 2016, Oláh et tural parts could be associated with increasing
al. 2017). We use an empirical synthetic method complexity (Esteve-Altava et al. 2013). Complex-
for character definition by combining observed ity may increase with complementary qualities
conditions along examined entities gained with associated to the decrease of structural units.
analysing character by character or taxa by taxa Reduction of elements is compensated (1) by
based on observed ranges of variations. This anisomerism, that is by specialization of the struc-
adaptive-neutral distinction has remarkable po- tures (measured by dissimilarity of connectivity
tential in coalescent theory that is in this retro- and heterogeneity); (2) by the number of unpaired
spective stochastic procedure to follow genetic structures as a side-measure of anisomerism (fu-
drift backward along genealogy of antecedents to sion of two or more pre-existing structures, repre-
the most recent common ancestor, the co-ancestor senting the most modified, specialized ones); (3)
of coalescent. We apply both gross and fine phe- by density of connections (more connected is
nomics to evaluate character polarity (plesiomor- more complex); (4) by characteristic path length
phic or apomorphic) or character ranking (genus (speed of information flow), (5) by cluster deve-
or species) with empirical evidences, not with lopment (loops of connections, integration, mo-
mainstream genomics of virtual DNA sequences dularity). Specialization by simplification could
having only very limited or almost zero be an inherent complexity increase. Parts tend
knowledge on relevant functional or morpholo- toward reduction in number, with the fewer parts
gical realities of biological organisation. greatly specialized in function. Early excessive
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Oláh, Kovács & Ibrahimi: Agaphylax, a new limnephilid genus from the Balkan

complexity followed by adaptive reduction is a mine which characteristics are ancestral or
possible route to adaptation. More advanced derived. According to genealogical discordance,
structures can have fewer parts. at all levels of taxonomic hierarchy, every homo-
logous phenomic traits or nucleotide position may
Adaptive or neutral? To establish which traits have their own true tree-like history, and infinite
or character states are adaptive versus neutral we number of other traits have tracked different his-
rely upon evidences of sexual integration at least tories. The reality of phylogenetic trees is highly
in our studies on speciation traits of parameres. questioned, almost certainly reticulated. Recog-
Genome complexity is correlated with morpholo- nising reticulation is only a question of resolution
gical complexity and driven primarily by non- in this gene cloud realm. Therefore, along the
adaptive stochastic mechanisms, rather than by continuum of the permanent integrative organi-
adaptive evolution (Lynch 2006, Yi 2006). These sation, taxa could be established only as an exclu-
questions emerged important for paraproct and sive group of organisms forming clade for the
paramere structures, especially, when their non- plurality of the genome (more than any con-
neutral, adaptive sexual selection driven evolution flicting set) with approximate matching of eco-
become more documented (Oláh et al. 2012, Oláh logical, evolutionary and morphological entities.
& Ito 2013, Oláh et al. 2013, Oláh et al. 2014). Anyhow, ranking alone this dynamic continuum
Speciation traits of the phallic organ with titil- is definitely a semisubjective endeavour (Baum
lating or harming functions directly involved in 2009).
sexual selection processes diverge into variously
complex structural patterns fitting to perform their Most of the characters with interactive his-
multiple and complex functions in the initial stage tories are organised as random, but systemic by-
of divergence (Oláh et al. 2013). Nevertheless, products of stochastic integrative organisation.
species delimitation and character ranking in tree The amazing plasticity and robustness of living
inferences are especially difficult in recent con- organisms, the innumerable mechanisms to reco-
temporary divergences when different loci/struc- ver from adverse condition are driven by self-
tures have different histories in gene clouds along determination and organisational closure of auto-
the gene and species tree discrepancies or reti- nomy. Autonomous systems are operationally
culations (Meara 2010). closed. Autonomy of biological emergencies is
grounded in thermodynamics and functions a-
Why single character is inadequate? Each round fluctuating equilibrium to maintain, by
taxon has infinitely large number of phenomic agency, the integer state of emergent closure of
and genomic characters that can be used as iden- constraints against disintegrative external and
tifiers. Any taxa differ in indefinitely large num- internal impacts (Moreno & Mossio 2015).
ber of phenomic and genomic characters that can
be described in infinite number of ways. More- Early branching of genomic lineages without
over described taxa are inherently transient. Dif- empirical data does not signify ancestral traits
ficulties arise because all extant species are a mix (Crisp & Cook 2005). Speciation rates differ and
of ancestral and derived characteristics and not are most frequently individual in lineages; mor-
the extant organism itself that is ancestral/“primi- phological differences do not reflect time dif-
tive”/branched early or derived/young/branched ferences. Slow rates of certain characters do not
off last (Omland et al. 2008). Single or variously mean that speciation in a lineage as a whole slows
combined characters could be independently an- down. Gene tree building complicates further
cestral or derived. Even the speciation supertraits, lineage ranking. Relation between gene trees and
as a basic taxonomical tool to delineate siblings, their containing species trees magnify difficulties
cannot help alone in reticulation. Phylogenies of how to reconstruct species trees from gene tree
extant species show relationships among evolu- ranking with a cloud of gene histories (Maddison
tionary cousins, when describing trees and deter- 1997). This gene cloud might disagree with the
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Oláh, Kovács & Ibrahimi: Agaphylax, a new limnephilid genus from the Balkan

species phylogeny produced by discordant pro- not incorporate such information, accumulated as
cesses of horizontal transfer, hybridization, intro- prior knowledge on the taxa, in order to “remove
gression, lineage sorting, undetected gene dup- personal bias” from their taxonomies (Rodrigo
lication and extinction. Incomplete lineage sorting 1989). However, the factual reason behind the
inversed in deep coalescence might fail to coa- scene is not this anti-bias excuse: good science is
lesce until deeper than previous speciation events. based on intuitive personal biases! The real reason
Ancestral polymorphisms persist through several is that “objective” algorithms in molecular phylo-
speciation events. The biological species concept geny are unable to incorporate falsifiable empi-
permits paraphyly, distorts character ranking rical phenomics because there is still very little
when historical splits take place by shifting to knowledge of the molecular linkage and of the
new ecological niche and diverged in morpho- mechanisms of transformation of morphological
logy, without reproductive isolation (Velasco characteristics (Vogt 2002). Variation of most
2008). This appropriate ranking is further compli- morphological characters is computable, easily
cated by attribution of these “biospecies” pro- disposable to cladistics. They are continuous
perties to higher taxa. Phylogeny is an inference quantitative variables, regardless of whether they
product as well as taxonomy is a product of hu- are coded qualitatively or quantitatively by
man judgment. systematists (Wiens 2001).

Why unweighted character is inaccurate? Cha- Ranking by parameres in Limnephinae
racters and traits should not be considered of subfamily
equal value in a phylogenetic analysis. For
instance, the phylogenetic incipient species is Tribe definitions in the Limnephilinae sub-
recognised by the diagnostic character of spe- family are fairly subtle, not stable and based on
ciation traits. This adaptive structure manifesting rather general statements (Schmid 1955): (1)
the reproductive barrier of the biological species Limnephilini tribe is characterised by pattern of
concept has high value in species delineation. anastomose disposition, by massive male genitalia
Speciation super trait alone is capable to delimit and by appendages on female genitalia; (2) Steno-
species boundaries already at around the initial phylacini tribe is characterised only by male
split of divergences. Nevertheless, both phene- genitalia that are less massive and more variable;
ticists and cladists prefer to apply large set of (3) Chaetopterygini tribe has genitalia similar to
evidence be considered. All comparative cha- Stenophylacini, but characterized by robust and
racters have potential value in constructing classi- spiny body features; (4) Chilostigmatini tribe is
fications. This quantitative masking procedure of rather isolated by particular genital features. (5)
applying as much number of trait evidence as Only Hesperophylacini, a newly established tribe
possible does not take enough care on apomorphic has been grouped inside the Limnephilinae sub-
characters of “evolutionary novelties” which are family by paramere organisation: the three species
inherently more informative about phylogenetic of the tribe have short paramere shaft and armed
relations. We have to realise a value judgement apically with broom-like burst of strongly scle-
stating that one character is a better indicator of rotized, recurved spines (Vshivkova et al. 2007).
phylogeny than another. Weighting could be The presence and structure of this particularly
implicit versus explicit, a priori versus a pos- organised paramere at the three genera is well
teriori, equivalent versus differential (Wheeler grounded in this new tribe (Ruiter 1999, Ruiter &
1986) as well as extrinsic versus intrinsic. Nishimoto 2007).
Information rich character is enriched in extrinsic
(not obtainable from matrix) character weighting We have revised several genera in the Chaeto-
procedure by adding a priori biological and evo- pterygini and Stenophylacini tribes either by
lutionary information. The so called “objective” paraprocts or by parameres as speciation traits,
methods practiced in molecular phylogenies do directly involved in reproductive isolation (Oláh
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Oláh, Kovács & Ibrahimi: Agaphylax, a new limnephilid genus from the Balkan

et al. 2015). In the revision of Drusinae subfamily future comprehensive and systemic paramere
there are ancestral divergences detected in para- revision inevitable to carry out in the Limnephi-
mere structures with single spine organising cen- linae subfamily.
tre and applied for species group ranking inside
the Drusus genus. These divergences in Drusus Limnephilini tribe. Basic pattern (plesiomor-
genus have followed an earlier split in the para- phic) of parameres are (1) rod-like ending usually
mere prepattern which resulted in the duplication in dilated and enlarged bilobed apex produced by
of spine organising centre creating the Eccli- apical setose lobes/branches of subapical (proxi-
sopteryx genus. Based on paramere structure the mal)/apical (distal) position; lobes/branches are
Anisogamodes genus was removed from the Ste- variously shaped, curved and directed. Apical
nophylacini tribe and placed in the Limnephilini setae present as unmodified fine structures and/or
tribe (Grigorenko 2002). The Rhadicoleptus genus variously modified spine-like structures (Ana-
was removed from the Limnephilini tribe and bolia, Anisogamodes, Arctopora, Asynarchus,
placed into the Stenophylacini tribe by its par- Clistoronia, Glyphotaelius, Grammotaulius, Len-
ticular paramere (Oláh et al. 2015). Divergences archus, Lepnevaina, Limnephilus, Platycentro-
in paramere structures proved to have ranking pus); one lobe occasionally membranous erectile
capacity also in Dicosmoecinae subfamily (Oláh (Limnephilus). (2) This basic pattern of rod-like
et al. 2018). paramere with apical complex of setose lobes/
branches could be modified with simplification
Inevitable future revision. It seems that para- forming a slender or broadened enlarged apical
mere organisation, ancestral and contemporary portion without any lobes or branches, but with
together, as an adaptive structure in sexual selec- less modified setae present (Anabolia, “Colpo-
tion mechanisms, has natural ranking capacity in taulius”, Clistoronia, Leptophylax, Nemotaulius,
lineage divergences in the entire Limnephilinae Philarctus, Rivulophilus). (3) Further simplifi-
subfamily, similarly to the Drusinae subfamily. cation produced simple spiniform paramere shaft
We follow the Williston’s (1914) principle, the with only few setal structures (“Astratus”). (4)
Gregory’s (1935) general evolution pattern of Simplification produces spiniform paramere shaft
reduction in structural parts as well as the prin- without any structure of setal origin (“Zaporota”).
ciple that complexity may function not only by (5) Final stage leads to paramere lost (“Astra-
incremental addition but also by incremental todes”).
subtraction. Our working hypothesis for paramere
organisation inside the Limnephilidae family is Chilostigmini tribe. Basic pattern of parameres
built upon (1) the ancestral and general as higher are rather simple thin spiniform, almost filiform
rank; (2) complex as ancestral (3) adaptive without branches, lobes or setal structures. The
represents highly weighted trait. dominating slender, slim, spiniform basic pattern
the parameres is modified in a few genera to
These principles have given orientation to abbreviated thick pattern and almost lost vestigial
compensate the inadequacy of the single character in one genus. (1) Paramere slender, slim, spini-
applied for ranking. Moreover, our single cha- form: Brachypsyche, Chilostigma, Chilostigmo-
racter is a speciation super trait. Based upon these des, Desmona, Grensia, Psychoglypha; (2) Para-
principles here we briefly list the possible relevant mere abbreviated thick and much shorter than
transformational series of paramere organisation aedeagus: Frenesia, Glyphopsyche; (3) Paramere
inside the tribes. The transformation series starts lost: Homophylax
from a more complex character state of ancestral
divergences of the tribes and leads to simpli- Chaetopterygini tribe. (1) Basic pattern of
fication by abbreviation and compaction or to the paramere rod-shaped with setal structures: Chae-
complete paramere lost in most tribes. Below we topteroides, Chaetopteryx; (2) Paramere rod-
present an outline as a working hypothesis for a shaped without setal structures: Psilopteryx; (3)
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Oláh, Kovács & Ibrahimi: Agaphylax, a new limnephilid genus from the Balkan

Paramere enlarged without setal structures: Ba- rod-shaped, not flattened; (3) they are not ramose.
dukiella; (4) Paramere abbreviated thin: Rizeiella; Moreover, Mesophylax species have uniquely
(5) Paramere lost: Annitella, Chaetopterygopsis, organised bilobed cerci and paraproct complex,
Chaetopteryx morettii, Kelgena, Pseudopsilo- the only generic character complex distinguishing
pteryx. Mesophylax from the related genera of Steno-
phylax including Micropterna.
Stenophylacini tribe. Basic pattern of para-
meres are spiniform without apical branches, Agaphylax has simple undivided cerci and
lobes, but with variously developed or vestigial differently organised paraproct. The combination
spine-like modified setal structures. Setal struc- of cerci-paraproct-paramere triple complex results
tures develop in various basal, apical and between in a generic level divergence additional to the
positions along the paramere shaft. The reduction unique paramere organisation. Difficulties arise
of setal structures frequently occurs inside the because every species is a mix of ancestral and
same genus. The paramere shaft may undergo derived characteristics. Single or variously com-
enlarging, thickening, abbreviation or could be bined characters could be independently ancestral
almost lost as vestigial thread-like structure or derived.
(Hydatophylax).
Type species. Agaphyalax balcanicus sp. nov.
Hesperophilacini tribe. Basic pattern of para-
meres is characterized by short shaft, apically Etymology. Agaphylax from “ág” branch,
with broom-like burst of strongly sclerotized, “ágas” ramose in Hungarian refers to the branch-
recurved spines. ing, ramose apical region that is the head of the
paramere and from “phylax” guard in Greek.
TAXONOMY
Agaphyalax balcanicus sp. nov.
Agaphylax gen. nov.
(Figures 1–20)
Diagnosis. Medium sized animals with steno-
phylacini rather than limnephilini habitus: (1) Material examined. Holotype: Macedonia, Pe-
forewing is broad, not elongated; (2) forewing lagonia region, Pelister Mts, Capari, springs area
of Caparska Reka, 41°00’14”, 21°10’4.6”, 1952
termen is convex, not truncate or concave; (3)
m, 13.IX.2016, leg. P. Juhász, T. Kovács & G.
genitalic structures are not robust. This new genus
Szilágyi (1 male, OPC). Allotype: same as holo-
is established here only by a single trait, by the
type (1 female, OPC). Paratypes: Macedonia, Pe-
uniquely organised basic pattern of the parameres.
lagonia region, Bitola municipality, Pelister Mts,
This short abbreviated paramere with vertically
Capari, spring area of Caparska Stream, 1955 m,
flattened basal body is characterized by the
N41°00.227’ E21°10.075’, 3.X.2017, P. Juhász,
ramose apical ending; this ramose apical region of
T. Kovács & D. Murányi (3 males, 6 females,
the paramere is composed of the upright directed
OPC; 1 male, 1 female, DBFMNSUP; 1 male, 1
leading arm of the short and flat shaft and of the
female, RPC; 1 male, 1 female, SMNH). Macedo-
ramification on the apicoventral angle represented nia, Pelagonia region, Bitola municipality, Pelister
by varying number of small arms; the entire Mts, Dva Groba, spring of Maloviška Stream,
paramere is without any setal structure. 2060 m, N40°59.113’ E21°10.100’, 3.X.2017, P.
Juhász, D. Murányi, T. Kovács (3 males, OPC; 1
The upright directed ramose paramere of the male MMHNHM).
Agaphylax is unique in the Limnephilinae sub-
family. Mesophylax parameres may have some Depositories. Department of Biology, Faculty
resemblance, but Mesophylax parameres are (1) of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University
“curving” upward, not “right angled” upward; (2) of Prishtina, Prishtina, Kosovo (DBFMNSUP).
84
Oláh, Kovács & Ibrahimi: Agaphylax, a new limnephilid genus from the Balkan

Figures 1–5. Agaphylax balcanicus sp. nov. Holotype male: 1 = genitalia in lateral view; 2 = genitalia in dorsal view;
3 = paraproct in caudal view; 4 = left gonopod in caudal view; 5 = phallic organ in lateral view.

Figures 6–17. Agaphylax balcanicus sp. nov. Paratypes males: 6–7 = gonopod apex in caudal view, population from spring area
of Caparska Reka; 8–11 = gonopod apex in caudal view, population from the spring of Maloviška Stream; 12–13 = left
paramere in lateral view, population from spring area of Caparska Reka; 14–17 = left paramere in lateral view,
population from the spring of Maloviška Stream.

85
Oláh, Kovács & Ibrahimi: Agaphylax, a new limnephilid genus from the Balkan

Mátra Museum of the Hungarian Natural History lateral view; the ventral branches of the paraproct
Museum (MMHNHM) Oláh Private Collection, do not meet mesad, separated triangular in caudal
Debrecen, Hungary, under national protection by view. Gonopods elongated upright, its apical regi-
the Hungarian Natural History Museum, Budapest on slightly tapering, blunt triangular in lateral
(OPC). Ruiter Private Collection (RPC). Swedish view; apex excised bilobed in caudal view, lobes
Museum of Natural History, Stockholm, Sweden highly varying in the same population, usually the
(SMNH). lateral broader. Phallic organ composed of the
phallotheca, endotheca, aedeagus, endophallus
Description. Male (in alcohol). Forewing and the paramere. The aedeagus short and broad
membrane brown, slightly spotted, covered with less sclerotized, rather membranous. The endo-
small thin setae in recumbent position; forewing phallus more sclerotized and upright directed,
veins armed with upright erected strong setae; similarly right angled as the dorsoapical leading
forewing length 13 mm. Spur number 123. Head arm of the paramere. The paramere short, abbre-
and thoracic sclerites as well as antennae, labial viated with vertically flattened basal body; the
and maxillary palps and femurs are dark cas- paramere head that is the apical region of the
tanean brown; first maxillary palp segment of paramere composed of the upright directed lead-
male is yellow, legs yellowish, slightly darkening ing arm of the short and flat shaft and ramification
gradually towards apical segments. on the apicoventral angle by varying number of
Male genitalia. The pegged, spinulose apico- small arms; the right angled leading arm as long
median zone on tergite VIII is composed of a pair as the paramere body; the entire paramere without
of horizontally elongated bands of black pegs. any setal structure.
Lateral profile of segment IX and the fused gono- Female (in alcohol). Forewing membrane
pod subtriangular. Cerci large circular with some brown, slightly spotted, covered with small thin
constricted basal region forming a discernible setae in recumbent position; forewing veins armed
stalk. Dorsal branch of the paraproct vertically with upright erected strong setae; forewing length
flattened plate-like, bellied and tapering apicad in 13 mm. Spur number 123. Head and thoracic

Figures 18–20. Agaphylax balcanicus sp. nov. Allotype female: 18 = genitalia in lateral view; 19 = genitalia in dorsal view;
3 = genitalia in dorsal view; 20 = genitalia in ventral view.
86