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Type: Articles
Published: 2010-12-08
Page range: 29–41
Abstract views: 25
PDF downloaded: 1

Description of Chironomus quinnitukut, n. sp., closely related tothe C. decorus group in North America, with characterization of an additional larval form from halobiontic habitats

Department of Genetics, The University of Melbourne VIC 3010, Australia
6653 E. Carondelet Dr., Apt. 115, Tucson, AZ 87510, USA
2645 Muskogee Lane, Braselton, GA 30517, USA
Diptera Chironomidae Chironomus new species karyosystematics

Abstract

Chironomus quinnitukqut n. sp., from halobiontic habitats in Connecticut and Massachusetts, is described on the basis of the adult and larval morphology, and the banding pattern of the salivary gland chromosomes. In previous studies, the Connecticut population has been referred to as Chironomus atrella Townes, but a re-examination has indicated that it can be readily differentiated from C. atrella in all life stages. Rather, the banding pattern of the polytene chromosomes indicates the species, is best placed as a member of the Chironomus decorus group. Larvae of a second halobiontic species, C. species Cape Cod, are morphologically very similar to C. quinnitukqut and this species also appears to be a member of the C. decorus group.

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