Identification guide to larvae of Caucasian Epeorus ( Caucasiron) (Ephemeroptera, Heptageniidae)

Abstract

The Caucasus and adjacent areas are inhabited by fifteen species of mayflies of the genus Epeorus , subgenus Caucasiron Kluge, 1997 ( Heptageniidae ). This identification guide aims to facilitate an accurate species identification of their larvae and sum up all available information on their taxonomy and distribution. An identification key is provided, and the important diagnostic characters of all species are described and illustrated. The larva of E. ( C.) insularis (Braasch, 1983) is described for the first time. This study enables the routine identification of Caucasiron larvae necessary for biomonitoring and hydrobiological research in the Caucasus region.