Revealing the diversity of Polymitarcyidae Banks, 1900 (Insecta: Ephemeroptera) for the state of Maranhão

Abstract

Abstract The family Polymitarcyidae is widely distributed across the Holarctic, Ethiopian-Oriental, and Neotropical regions. However, studies on this group remain scarce in Northeastern Brazil, where only eight species, all belonging to the genus Campsurus, and three valid species for the state of Maranhão have been reported. This study expands the records of Polymitarcyidae in Maranhão, Northeastern Brazil. A total of 2, 929 specimens were examined, resulting in the identification of 17 species belonging to four genera: Asthenopus Ulmer (2), Campsurus Eaton (13), Priasthenopus Molineri, Salles & Peters (1), and Tortopus Needham & Murphy (1). Our results add 17 valid species records for the state and report, for the first time in Brazil, the occurrence of Asthenopus hubbardi Molineri, Salles & Peters, 2015, previously known only from Colombia. Therefore, this study provides the first comprehensive information on the distribution of Polymitarcyidae in Maranhão, significantly contributing to the knowledge of the Brazilian fauna and reducing the Wallacean shortfall for Ephemeroptera in the region.