Han W.1, Wei L.2, Ni Z.1, Tang H.2 2022. New insights on Diamesa Meigen (Diptera, Chironomidae, Diamesinae) in the Tibetan Plateau of China // Euroasian Entomological Journal. Vol.21. Suppl.1: 23–41 [in English].
1 State Key Laboratory of Lake Science and Environment, Nanjing Institute of Geography and Limnology, Chinese Academy of Science, Nanjing 210008 China.
2Life Science and Technology College, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632 China. E-mail: townningt@gmail.com
doi 10.15298/euroasentj.21.Spl.1.04
ABSTRACT. Diamesa Meigen (Diptera: Chironomidae) is an extremely cold-adapted common representative of the subfamily Diamesinae, yet famous also in the Tibetan Plateau, but already threatened due to ongoing reduction and loss of glaciers. To provide baseline information about species richness, distribution pattern and ecological preferences, larva, pupa and adult materials of Diamesa collected from 20 sampling sites in the Tibet Plateau were analyzed based morphology and DNA barcoding technique. In total, 14 Diamesa species (including molecular operational taxonomic units) were delimitated, of which 2 are known species, 2 are new to science, and other 10 are putative molecular species (OTUs). Among them, D. pseudosteinboecki sp.n. and D. kandzensis sp.n. are here established as new species based on all stages. D. kaszabi Serra-Tosio is formally recorded in Tibet, China for the first time and D. qiangi Wang et Makarchenko is reconfirmed in the Tibet region. For the first time the immature stages of above two species are described through DNA barcoding linkage and pharate material. Due to the absence of associated adult males, the taxonomic status of the 10 putative molecular taxa could not be determined here formally but simple comparative diagnosis are given on available larval or pupal stages. The distribution pattern and ecological data of these species/OTUs are provided here as well. Our study suggests that biodiversity over Tibetan Plateau have been poorly explored, massive fundamental works are urgently needed for effective ecosystem protection.
KEY WORDS: Diamesa, Tibetan Plateau, new species, pupa, larva, DNA barcoding, distribution.