Eukiefferiella claripennis

Eukiefferiella claripennis group

Figs 18A–E

Diagnosis. Head dark brown, except pale around the eyespots; body (Figs 18D, E) purplish-blue, becoming brownish in the anterior segments; first segment, and posterior parapods distinctly pale. SI seta simple; premandible simple; antenna (Fig. 18A) 4-segmented, with large LO, AR 1.9; mandible (Fig. 18B) with 3 inner teeth, and possibly a 4 th, inner margin with 3 small spines; mentum (Fig. 18C) with pair of median teeth, the width of each about the same as the lateral teeth, 1 st lateral closer to the median teeth than the 2 nd lateral, surface marked with long pale streaks; VM plates well defined, with an angled basal extension; setae submenti posteriad of plates; posterior end of body as in Fig. 18E; setae on middle abdominal segments indistinct; procercus with sclerotized ring; anal tubules short, about one third the length of posterior parapods.

Notes. Our larva fits the description of Eukiefferiella brevinervis (Malloch) given by Roback (1957: 93), although Bode (1983: 30) suggests it may be a junior synonym of E. claripennis.

Ecology and habitat. Species are tolerant of low oxygen level and thrive in acid brooks of pH 4.5–4.7. Larvae are tolerant of wide range of habitats and conditions. These have been observed over-wintering in cocoons and as second instars in the Northwest Territories. Larvae ingest mostly algae with smaller amounts of detritus (Thienemann 1954).

Sampling sites. Muskoka District.

Nearctic distribution. Canada: Ontario.