Zootaxa 4604 (1): 183–190 ISSN 1175-5326 (print edition)

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Copyright © 2019 Magnolia Press
Article ZOOTAXA
ISSN 1175-5334 (online edition)
https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4604.1.8
http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:23923191-4D90-4BBA-8669-2354791EB3F6

The genera Smicridea McLachlan and Chimarra Stephens in French Guiana

(Trichoptera: Hydropsychidae, Philopotamidae)
FRANÇOIS-MARIE GIBON* & JULIETA V. SGANGA**
*
CBGP, IRD, CIRAD, INRA, Montpellier SupAgro, Univ. Montpellier, Montpellier, France. E-mail: Francois-Marie.Gibon@ird.fr
**
Laboratorio de Artrópodos, Departamento de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales,
Universidad de Buenos Aires, C1428EHA, Buenos Aires, Argentina. E-mail: jsganga@gmail.com

Abstract

A brief collecting exploration to small streams in the coastal zone of French Guiana resulted in the capture of eight species
belonging to the genus Smicridea McLachlan 1871 and two belonging to the genus Chimarra Stephens 1829. Given the
scarcity of knowledge about the trichopteran fauna of this territory, the results of the study of this material are provided. A
new species of the genus Smicridea is described: Smicridea (Rhyacophylax) sanctorum sp. n. Six species of Smicridea are
new for French Guiana: Smicridea (R.) abrupta Flint 1974, Smicridea (R.) caligata Flint 1974, Smicridea (R.) columbiana
Ulmer 1905, Smicridea (R.) pseudolobata Flint 1978, Smicridea (S.) obliqua Flint 1974, and Smicridea (S.) truncata Flint
1974. These results bring the number of French Guianan Smicridea species to 16. The two Chimarra species represent the
first species records of the genus in French Guiana.

Key words: Caddisflies, Neotropical region, taxonomy, new species, faunistic, new records

Introduction

The Trichoptera species of French Guiana have long remained unknown (Scibona et al. 2010). Species of the genus
Smicridea McLachlan 1871 (Hydropsychidae) were first reported for French Guiana in 2012 by Oláh & Johan-
son. They found four previously described species, two belonging to the subgenus Smicridea McLachlan 1871
[Smicridea (S.) erecta Flint 1974 and Smicridea (S.) inaequispina Flint 1974] and two belonging to the subgenus
Rhyacophylax Müller 1879 [Smicridea (R.) ephippifer Flint 1978 and Smicridea (R.) scutellaris Flint 1974]. They
also described five species that were new for science, all in the subgenus Smicridea [Smicridea (S.) dombora Oláh &
Johanson 2012, Smicridea (S.) erda Oláh & Johanson 2012, Smicridea (S.) torpa Oláh & Johanson 2012, Smicridea
(S.) vagotta Oláh & Johanson 2012, Smicridea (S.) vaskosa Oláh & Johanson 2012]. Our collections include eight
species, only one of which was previously recorded. Among these species, one is new for science. These results
bring the number of French Guianan Smicridea species to 16.
To date, no species of the genus Chimarra Stephens 1829 (Philopotamidae) have been identified or reported
from French Guiana. Our study reveals two species belonging to the subgenus Otarrha Blahnik 2002, a subgenus
endemic to the Neotropical region.

Material and methods

Specimens were captured using a portable light trap, consisting of a black light and a gas lamp in combination,
and then preserved in ethanol (75%). The holotype and three paratypes were cleared in a solution of potassium
hydroxide, studied under the microscope in cedar oil, and then mounted on slides in Euparal®. For the description
of the male genitalia of the new species of Smicridea, we mostly followed the terminology and interpretation used
by Albino et al. (2011).
The material, including the holotype and paratypes of the new species, are deposited at the Centre de Biologie
pour la Gestion des Populations, Campus de Baillarguet, F - 34988 Montferrier sur Lez, France (CBGP).

Accepted by J. Morse: 29 Mar. 2019; published: 13 May 2019 183

Results

Table 1 gives a list of the 16 species of Smicridea now known from French Guiana. The total number of species is
quite similar to the 15 Smicridea species reported from Surinam by Holzenthal & Calor (2017), although only nine
species are known to be shared by the two territories. The fact that new collection trips have resulted in new distri-
butional records indicates that the regional fauna is certainly much richer than previously reported.

TABLE 1. List of Smicridea species recorded from French Guiana. * = new record for the country.
Species Locality in French Guiana Distribution
Subgenus Smicridea
S. (S.) dombora Oláh & Johanson 2012 Montagne de Kaw French Guiana
S. (S.) erda Oláh & Johanson 2012 Montagne de Kaw French Guiana
S. (S.) erecta Flint 1974 Montagne de Kaw French Guiana, Surinam
S. (S.) inaequispina Flint, 1974 Montagne de Kaw French Guiana
S. (S.) obliqua Flint 1974 * Small coastal rivers Brazil (Amazonas), French Guiana, Surinam
S. (S.) torpa Oláh & Johanson 2012 Montagne de Kaw French Guiana
S. (S.) truncata Flint 1974 * Small coastal rivers Brazil, French Guiana, Guyana, Surinam
S. (S.) vagotta Oláh & Johanson 2012 Montagne de Kaw French Guiana
S. (S.) vaskosa Oláh & Johanson 2012 Montagne de Kaw French Guiana
Subgenus Rhyacophylax
S. (R.) abrupta Flint 1974 * Sinnamary Brazil, French Guiana, Surinam
S. (R.) caligata Flint 1974 * Sinnamary Brazil, French Guiana, Surinam, Venezuela
S. (R.) columbiana (Ulmer 1905) * Sinnamary Argentina, Colombia, French Guiana, Surinam
S. (R.) ephippifer Flint 1978 Maroni, small coastal rivers Brazil, French Guiana
S. (R.) pseudolobata Flint 1978 * Comté, Sinnamary French Guiana, Surinam
S. (R.) sanctorum n. sp. Crique Toussaint French Guiana
S. (R.) scutellaria Flint 1974 Maroni (Maripasoula) Brazil, French Guiana, Surinam

Family: Hydropsychidae Curtis 1835

Subfamily: Smicrideinae Flint 1974

Genus: Smicridea McLachlan 1871

Subgenus: Rhyacophylax Müller 1879

Smicridea (Rhyacophylax) sanctorum sp. n.

(Figures 1–10)

Type material. Holotype. Male (disarticulated and mounted on slides), FRENCH GUIANA, Crique Toussaint,
5°20’13.50’’N, 52°59’4.70’’, 34 m a.s.l., 28.ix.2010, F.-M. Gibon leg. (CBGP). Paratypes. 6 males (3 on slides, 3
in alcohol), same label data as holotype (CBGP).
Diagnosis. Smicridea (R.) sanctorum sp. n. is closely similar to S. (R.) dentisserrata Albino, Pes & Hamada
2011. In the two species, abdominal segments IX and X are fused in such a way that it is not easy to determine the
origin of the observed structures. The tergum IX is positioned dorsally with respect to tergum X (Fig. 1), the whole
is maintained by a sclerotized Y structure, composed of three branches, ventral, dorsal (Ydo, Fig. 1) and distal (Ydi,
Fig. 1). The ventral branch arises from the ventral base of sternum IX; the distal branch is the lateroventral margin of
tergum X; the dorsal branch may be an extension of one of the two previous. The apex of the distal branch generally

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corresponds to the distal end of tergum X but in S. dentisserrata and in S. sanctorum sp. n., they are clearly distinct,
the distal branch is straight in the new species (Fig. 2) and curved inwards in S. dentisserrata (Fig. 22 in Albino et
al. 2011). In the two species, the apex of tergum X is mesally divided, each hemitergite is truncated posteriorly in S.
dentisserrata (Fig. 22 in Albino et al. 2011) and rounded in the new species (Fig. 2). The main diagnostic character
is the size and distribution of the spines of the distal branch; they are larger and grouped apically and preapically in
the new species, giving to the distal branch the appearance of a mace; they are distributed nearly all along the ven-
tral edge in S. dentisserrata, giving it the appearance of a saw (which is the etymology of the species name). Small
but clear morphological differences are also remarkable at the phallic apparatus. Albino et al. (2011) described «2
apico-ventral paramere spines», one anterior, ending in 7 points and one posterior, broad and truncate (Figs. 24, 25
in Albino et al. 2011). In the new species the apico-ventral margin of the phallotheca is elongated, curved dorsad and
enlarged, two small spines are inserted latero-ventrally but are hardly visible in dorsal view. As this ventral projec-
tion of phallotheca is truncate, the dorsal view is quite similar to that of the posterior spine of S. dentisserrata (Fig.
24 in Albino et al. 2011). On the same dorsal view, the apex of the phallotheca is U-shaped whereas it is smoothly
concave in the new species.
Description. Adult male. General coloration (in alcohol) brown. Interocular distance 0.14 mm. Maxillary palp
with relative lengths of segments from base: 1, 1.5, 2.5, 2, 7.5 (Fig. 2). Wing color pattern of forewings brown, each
with perpendicular clear strip at maximum width; hind wing light brown (Fig. 9). Length of each forewing 3.80 mm,
hind wing 2.90 mm. Anterolateral glandular processes of sternum V long and slender composed of short base, rigid
and slightly bent, and distal part, thinner, longer, with wrinkled appearance (Fig. 6).
Male genitalia. Segment IX, in lateral view, with Y-shaped internal sclerotization; anterolateral margins con-
cave, anteromesal margins each produced into blunt lobe directed upwards (Fig. 1); in dorsal view, tergum subtri-
angular, posterior margin projected into blunt mesal lobe covered with small spines (Fig. 2). Tergum X laterally
expanded; in dorsal view divided apicomesally; each hemitergite rounded posteriorly and slightly notched pos-
teromesally, dorsal setal wart slightly oblique and bearing four long setae, and, apically, three tiny setae; ventrolat-
eral margins (distal branch of the Y structure) sclerotized, posteriorly enlarged and covered of spines.
Inferior appendages each two-articulated, setose, basal article long with distal region slightly bent inward;
apical article thinner and shorter (less than half as long as basal article) (Fig. 3). Phallic apparatus with tubular
phallobase, its basal section slightly enlarged, forming angle of about 120° with distal section; dorsal margin with
large, dorsal periphallic cap bearing small spines directed posterad (Fig. 10); apicoventral margin of phallotheca
elongated, curved dorsad and enlarged with two small spines inserted lateroventrally on each side (paramere spines
of Albino et al. 2011); apical portion of ejaculatory duct sclerotized, long and sinuous in lateral view, with two short
and sclerotized dorsolateral processes (Figs. 8, 9).
Etymology. The name is a reference to the river where the new species was collected, the Crique Toussaint
(French for all the saints).

Smicridea (Rhyacophylax) abrupta Flint 1974

Reported from Surinam and Brazil, this species was captured beside the Sinnamary River at Saut Dalles.
Examined material. FRENCH GUIANA—1 male (genitalia on slide, remaining parts in alcohol), 4°24’17.17’’N,
52°53’36.10’’W, 78 m a.s.l., 3.xi.2009, B. de Mérona leg. (CBGP).

Smicridea (Rhyacophylax) caligata Flint 1974

Reported from Venezuela, Surinam, and Brazil, this species was captured beside the Sinnamary River near Saut
Dalles.
Examined material. FRENCH GUIANA—1 male (on slide), 4°24’17.17’’N, 52°53’36.10’’W, 78 m a.s.l.,
3.xi.2009, B. de Mérona leg. (CBGP).

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FIGURES 1–2. Smicridea (Rhyacophylax) sanctorum n. sp.: 1, maxillary palp; 2, glandular process of sternum V. Scale bar:
0.25 mm.

FIGURE 3. Smicridea (Rhyacophylax) sanctorum n. sp., right wings, dorsal. Scale bar: 1 mm.

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FIGURES 4–6. Smicridea (Rhyacophylax) sanctorum n. sp., male genitalia: 4, left lateral; 5, terga IX and X, dorsal; 6, left infe-
rior appendage, dorsal. Scale bar: 0.25 mm. i.a. = inferior appendage, p.a. = phallic apparatus, s.IX = sternum IX, t.IX = tergum
IX, t.X = tergum X, Ydi. = distal branch of the Y structure, Ydo. = dorsal branch of the Y structure.

SMICRIDEA AND CHIMARRA IN FRENCH GUIANA Zootaxa 4604 (1) © 2019 Magnolia Press · 187
FIGURES 7–10. Smicridea (Rhyacophylax) sanctorum n. sp., phallic apparatus: 7, dorsal; 8, apex of the phallic apparatus,
dorsal; 9, apex of the phallic apparatus, left lateral; 10, spines of the dorsal cap, dorsal. d.c. = dorsal cap, l.p. = lateral process of
the phallicata, l.sp. = lateroventral spines, v.p. = ventral projection of the phallotheca.

Smicridea (Rhyacophylax) columbiana (Ulmer 1905)

Reported from Colombia, Surinam, Brazil, and Argentina, this species was captured beside the Sinnamary River
near Saut Dalles.
Examined material. FRENCH GUIANA—3 males (genitalia on slide, remaining parts in alcohol),
4°24’17.17’’N, 52°53’36.10’’W, 78 m a.s.l., 3.xi.2009, B. de Mérona leg. (CBGP); 8 males (in alcohol), same
data.

Smicridea (Rhyacophylax) ephippifer Flint 1978

Described from Brazil and previously reported from French Guiana (Maroni near Saint-Laurent [Oláh & Johanson
2012]), this species apparently inhabits large rivers.
Examined material. FRENCH GUIANA—1 male (on slide), Comté River near Cacao, 4°33’7.38’’N,
52°29’52.88’’W, 19 m a.s.l., 21.ix.2010, F.-M. Gibon & B. de Mérona leg. (CBGP); 7 males (1 on slide, 6 in alco-
hol), Sinnamary River near Saut Dalles, 4°24’17.17’’N, 52°53’36.10’’W, 78 m a.s.l., 3.xi.2009, B. de Mérona leg.
(CBGP).

Smicridea (Rhyacophylax) pseudolobata Flint 1978

Described from Surinam and reported from Brazil, this species apparently inhabits large rivers, like S. ephippifer.

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 Examined material. FRENCH GUIANA—2 males (1 male with genitalia on slide, remaining parts in alcohol,
1 male in alcohol), Comté River near Cacao, 4°33’7.38’’N, 52°29’52.88’’W, 19 m a.s.l., 21.ix.2010, F.-M. Gibon &
B. de Mérona leg. (CBGP); 1 male (in alcohol), Sinnamary River near Saut Dalles, 4°24’17.17’’N, 52°53’36.10’’W,
78 m a.s.l., 3.xi.2009, B. de Mérona leg. (CBGP).

Subgenus: Smicridea McLachlan 1871

Smicridea (Smicridea) obliqua Flint 1974

Described from Surinam and reported from Brazil, this species was captured beside small tributaries.
Examined material. FRENCH GUIANA—3 males (1 male on slide, 2 males in alcohol), Crique Toussaint,
5°20’13.50’’N, 52°59’4.70’’W, 34 m a.s.l., 28.ix.2010, F.-M. Gibon leg.; 3 males (1 male on slide, 2 males in alco-
hol), Crique Maman Lézard, 5°04’04.46’’N, 52°59’56.27’’W, 50 m a.s.l., 24.ix.2010, F.-M. Gibon leg.; 1 male (in
alcohol), Crique Matiti, 4°59’57.37’’N, 52°35’3.29’’W, 41 m a.s.l., 8.ix.2010, F.-M. Gibon & B. de Mérona leg.; 1
male (in alcohol), Crique Petit, 5°21’59.29”N, 53°6’37.64”W, 48 m asl, 23.ix.2010, F.-M. Gibon & B. de Mérona
leg. (CBGP).

Smicridea (Smicridea) truncata Flint 1974

Described from Surinam and reported from Guyana and Brazil, this species was captured beside one single site, the
Crique Canceller, which is the outlet of a coastal swamp (Pripri de Yiyi).
Examined material. FRENCH GUIANA—11 males (1 male on slide, 10 males in alcohol), 5°25’47.90’’N, 53°
2’18.52’’W, 12 m asl, 29.iii.2011, F.-M. Gibon leg. (CBGP).

Our data and those from Oláh and Johanson result from only a few localities, none of which are located in the
southern part of the country. This suggests the existence of a much richer and more diverse fauna.

Family Philopotamidae Stephens 1829

Subfamily Chimarrinae Rambur 1842

Genus Chimarra Stephens 1829

Subgenus Otarrha Blahnik 2002

The subgenus Otarrha was described by Blahnik (2002) to include 31 species (13 new species and 18 species
previously unplaced in a subgenus or placed in the subgenus Chimarra Stephens). It is endemic to the Neotropical
region, widespread in northern South America and in the Greater and Lesser Antilles. Its presence in French Guiana
was therefore probable and is now confirmed.

Chimarra (Otarrha) septifera Flint, 1974

Described and recorded only from Surinam. The species was recorded beside the Crique Fourgassier, a small tribu-
tary of the Comté River.
Examined material. FRENCH GUIANA, one male, 4°37’41.18’’N, 52°18’24.32’’W, 51 m a.s.l., 19.ix.2010,
F.-M. Gibon & B. de Mérona leg. (CBGP).

Chimarra (Otarrha) usitatissima Flint, 1971

Widely distributed in the Amazon river basin (including Peru and Ecuador), also present in Surinam, Guyana,

SMICRIDEA AND CHIMARRA IN FRENCH GUIANA Zootaxa 4604 (1) © 2019 Magnolia Press · 189
coastal watersheds of Venezuela, and south-eastern Brazil. The species was collected beside the Comté River near
Cacao.
Examined material. FRENCH GUIANA, one male, 4°33’7.38’’N, 52°29’52.88’’W, 19 m a.s.l., 21.ix.2010,
F.-M. Gibon & B. de Mérona leg. (CBGP).

Not surprisingly, these French Guianan species are already known from Surinam or Brazil. A considerable
inventory work remains to be undertaken. Fourteen species of Chimarra are known from Surinam (Holzenthal &
Calor 2017), eight are known from the Brazilian State of Para (Paprocki & França 2014), two of them are common
to both lists.

Acknowledgements

We are grateful to Bernard de Mérona for his help during the field trip, to Odile Fossati for her careful reading of the
manuscript. We also thank Isabela Rocha for her review and John C. Morse who significantly improved the writing
of the text.

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