Spot-tailed Mayfly
Serratella maculocaudata Ikonomov, 1961
Ephemerella maculocaudata Ikonomov, 1961: Soldan, 1982: 44; Islam et al., 1986: 22; Vidinova, Russev, 1997: 144; Ephemerella mesoleuca (Brauer, 1857): Russev, 1966: 256; Russev et al., 1984: 63; Islam et al., 1986: 22; Vidinova, Russev, 1997: 144.
Order Mayflies (Ephemeroptera)
Family Spiny crawler mayflies (Ephemerellidae)
Conservation status: in Bulgaria: Critically endangered CR [A2a; B1ab(iv); D; E].
General distribution. Spain, France, Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Lithuania, Romania, Bulgaria, Macedonia, Greece.
Distribution and abundance in Bulgaria. Known from the rivers of Struma (Blagoevgrad), Bistritsa and Strumeshnitsa in the Sandanski-Petrich Kettle, Maritsa (from Harmanli to Svilengrad), Varbitsa (Momchilgrad), Golyama (Biser Village near Harmanli) and Kamchiya (Poda site). The species was found between 1955 and 1984 mostly in few specimens [1, 2, 3, 4]. During a current investigation of the rivers of Struma and Maritsa it was not recorded [5, unpublished data].
Habitats. The nymphs live in large lowland rivers, most often amongst dipped water vegetation, at places with a comparatively slow current [4].
Biology. Emergence takes place in the afternoon, usually at the end of June and the beginning of July. The adults fly at dusk after sunset. The eggs hatch in spring and the newly hatched larvae develop rapidly in the spring months [4].
Similar species. Serratella ignita, from which it differs with the presence of three light stripes dorsally on the abdomen [6].
Negative factors. Degradation of habitats caused by man. The extraction of inert materials from the bottoms of rivers as well as their pollution with waste waters.
Conservation measures taken. None.
Conservation measures needed. Prevention of pollution of the middle and lower courses of the larger rivers. Restoration of the habitats of the species in which it has occurred in the past.
References. 1. Islam et al., 1986; 2. Russev, 1966; 3. Vidinova, Russev, 1997; 4. Soldan, 1982; 5. Vidinova et al., 2006; 6. Ikonomov, 1961.
Author: Yanka Vidinova
