Major Group: Insecta Order: Ephemeroptera Family: Prosopistomatidae Genus: Prosopistoma Species: pearsonorum This family is represented in Australia by a single species, Prosopistoma pearsonorum. |
Descriptive Features: head broad with convex upper surface, width 2.4 X length
eyes depressed
5-segmented antennae short, less than 1/4 width of head
labium modified to form flat ventral shield
body form extremely modified, oval in dorsal view, dorsal surface strongly convex, ventral surface flat
mesonotum forms a carapace over thorax and abdomen as far as segment 7, maximum width of mesonotum slightly longer than length of medial suture
6 abdominal gills, not visible from above
legs not well developed with tarsi reduced and delicate
caudal filaments (of subimago) short, subequal,
Total length: 4.5 mm |
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Prosopistoma pearsonorum |
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Taxonomic Checklist: Prosopistoma pearsonorum Campbell & Hubbard |
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Distribution: N Qld
Sensitivity Rating: SIGNAL grade 4
Functional Feeding Group: unknown |
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Ecology: Instream habitat: Prosopistomatid nymphs have only been found in inaccessible areas of rapidly flowing tropical streams, such as large rocks or boulders in deep water. They were collected in drift net samples. Feeding ecology: Habit: Life history: Tiny eggs (150 x 100 µm) have been collected from a subimago female. Eggs are roughly spherical, evenly covered with knob-like coiled threads |
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Information Sources: Dean & Suter 1996, Campbell & Hubbard 1998 |
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Prosopistoma may be confused with Sclerocyphon (Coleoptera: Psephenidae), distinguished by body segmentation. |
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