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Communication at the NABS Annual meeting, Keystone, 2000
(419) PLECOPTERA OF FLORIDA: BIODIVERSITY AND SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION.
A.K. Rasmussen, M.L. Pescador, and B.A. Richard. Center for Water Quality, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL 32307-4100
Our recent survey of stoneflies occurring within Florida documents approximately 40 species representing 19 genera in 9 families. The last statewide survey was published in 1979 by Stark and Gaufin wherein they reported 26 species. The present study reports more than 10 species that represent either new state records or species new to science. Approximately 20% of the named species found in Florida are precinctive to the southeastern United States. The Perlidae and Perlodidae are the most speciose families, accounting for approximately 70% of the total fauna. As expected, we report no stoneflies from South Florida, and only a few species within the northern region of the peninsula. Within the North Florida Panhandle, species richness is significantly higher in the West than in the East. The relatively high species richness of the West Panhandle is likely due to a combination of the following factors: i) the presence of watershed connections to the northern East Gulf Coastal Plain, Piedmont, and Blue Ridge physiographic provinces; ii) the relatively closer proximity and likely dispersal of species associated with the Mississippi River Basin; iii) the high diversity of aquatic habitats; and iv) the greater number of adult collections.
Presented at 1:00 PM on Wednesday, May 31, 2000 in Distribution and Systematics
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