Cymbalcloeon gen. nov., an incredible new mayfly genus (Ephemeroptera: Baetidae) from Thailand.

• Main Authors: Chanaporn Suttinun, Jean-Luc Gattolliat, Boonsatien Boonsoong
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2020-01-01
• Series: PLoS ONE
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0240635

The genus Cymbalcloeon gen. nov. (Ephemeroptera: Baetidae) is established for a new species Cymbalcloeon sartorii sp. nov. from Thailand, based on larval stage. This genus is unique among all of the Baetidae by the presence of three pairs of single gills on segments V-VII, ventrally oriented to cover the sterna VI-IX. Cymbalcloeon sartorii gen. nov. et sp. nov. presents unique or rare morphological characters such as a deeply concave margin between the prostheca and mola, without setae; a very large subtriangular process of the left mandible; a maxillary palp segment II with scarce and very long setae; almost completely fused labial palp segments II and III with numerous very long setae; elongate tarsal claw with two rows of teeth; a shagreen surface of the terga and paraproct; and a very reduced body size. The gills of the new genus move very quickly during respiration and present a near-synchronous protraction. Due to the very derived larval morphological character and the unknown imaginal stage, the exact phylogenetic position of the genus remains unclear; it most certainly belongs to the concept of Anteropatellata and is possibly closely related to the genus Baetopus.