Species 4i. Chironomus (Lobochironomus) pseudomendax(?), Wülker 1998This North American material was initially identified as C. mendax by W. Wülker in Ryser et al. (1985). However, the equivalent Palearctic material was subsequently shown not to be C. mendax Storå, and given the new name "pseudomendax" by Wülker (1998), on the basis of a difference in chromosome number. Although not specifically stated, the larval mentum of the North American material was apparently similar to that of C. pseudomendax, not like that of C. mendax. Since the cytology of the North American material is not known, it is not certain to what species it really belongs.Adult: The superior volsella is rather similar to that of Einfeldia species, but the narrower curved lobe arises from the dorsal surface near its base, whereas in Einfeldia it arises apically or subapically from the ventral lobe (Grodhaus and Ferrington 1989). Pupa: Not described, but may be some specimens in the collection of the Kansas Biological Survey (Grodhaus and Ferrington (1989), and that of Palearctic specimens is given in Langton and Visser (2003). The spur row of tergite II is interrupted. Larva: Apparently similar to that of European C. pseudomendax, i.e. a plumosus-type larva with unpigmented head capsule. Lateral tubules longer than 150 µm. Cytology: Not known for North American material. If it is C. pseudomendax it will have 4 polytene chromosomes with the thummi-cytocomplex combination AB, CD, EF, G, but if nearer C. mendax, it will only have 3 chromosomes (AB, CD, GEF). Found: California - Dana Meadows, Tuolumne Co. (Grodhaus & Ferrington 1989); Yosemite National Park (Ryser et al. 1985). Also found in Abisko, Sweden (Type locality), in the Palearctic. The larva is given by Ryser et al. (1985). Grodhaus & Ferrington (1989) give notes on the adult of North American specimens. |