PERLIDAE (PLECOPTERA) DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO, BRASIL: LISTA DE ESPÉCIES, PROBLEMAS TAXONÔMICOS E AMOSTRAGEM

Abstract

Plecoptera are aquatic insects that inhabit lotic environments, especially those of low and medium orders. For this reason, these insects are widely used as indicators of environmental quality. According to the latest surveys, at least 150 species of Perlidae are known in Brazil, being distributed in the genera Anacroneuria Klapálek, 1909, Enderleina Jewett, 1960, Kempnyia Klapálek, 1914 and Macrogynoplax Enderleina, 1909. In southeastern Brazil, there are still few studies that aim to systematically organize the existing knowledge and map the main taxonomic problems concerning the group. Here, we presented an updated checklist of Perlidae species in the São Paulo State, addressing taxonomic and geographic problems and gaps in the group, with information obtained in the literature. We obtained a list of 35 species, of which 19, 15 and 1 belong respectively to the genera Anacroneuria, Kempnyia and Macrogynoplax. Among the 35 species recorded, 10 are exclusively found in the São Paulo State and at least 25 have some taxonomic problem or gap, such as the shortfall regarding the knowledge of life stages, with only 10 species having their nymphs described. Finally, we suggested that future sampling efforts should focus on inland areas, especially in the far west of the state.