Trichomycetes in Argentinean Aquatic Insect Larvae

Abstract

Investigations of larval aquatic Diptera (Chironomidae, Simuliidae, Culicidae), Coleoptera (Scirtidae), and Plecoptera (Gripopterygidae, Notonemouridae) in Buenos Aires Province and three Provinces in Patagonia (Rio Negro, Chubut, Neuquen) have revealed 19 species of gut fungi (Zygomycota: Trichomycetes). Three of the species represent new monotypic genera: Coleopteromyces amnicus, Plecopteromyces patagoniensis, and Stachylinoides arctata. This is the first report of a Harpellales living in a Coleoptera larva. New species were Carouxella coemeteriensis, Paramoebidium digitoideum, Smittium esteparum, S. tronadorium, and Stachylina platensis. In addition, what may be new species of Smittium and Stachylina are described but not named. Two of the species, Harpella meridianalis and Smittium cylindrosporum, were previously know only from southern Chile. The other six previously described species found in Argentina have a wider geographic distribution, including Smittium morbosum which is pathogenic to mosquito larvae. A key to Argentinean species of Trichomycetes and comments on their biogeography are provided.