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Issue: Vol. 5760 No. 2: 23 Feb. 2026
Type: Article
Published: 2026-02-23
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5760.2.6
Page range: 265-285
Abstract views: 49
PDF downloaded: 2

A review of Rheosmittia Brundin, 1986 (Diptera: Chironomidae) from China based on DNA barcodes and morphology

Engineering Research Center of Environmental DNA and Ecological Water Health Assessment; Shanghai Ocean University; Shanghai 201306; China. Shanghai Universities Key Laboratory of Marine Animal Taxonomy and Evolution; Shanghai Ocean University; Shanghai 201306; China.
Engineering Research Center of Environmental DNA and Ecological Water Health Assessment; Shanghai Ocean University; Shanghai 201306; China. Shanghai Universities Key Laboratory of Marine Animal Taxonomy and Evolution; Shanghai Ocean University; Shanghai 201306; China.
Engineering Research Center of Environmental DNA and Ecological Water Health Assessment; Shanghai Ocean University; Shanghai 201306; China. Shanghai Universities Key Laboratory of Marine Animal Taxonomy and Evolution; Shanghai Ocean University; Shanghai 201306; China.
Engineering Research Center of Environmental DNA and Ecological Water Health Assessment; Shanghai Ocean University; Shanghai 201306; China. Shanghai Universities Key Laboratory of Marine Animal Taxonomy and Evolution; Shanghai Ocean University; Shanghai 201306; China.
Engineering Research Center of Environmental DNA and Ecological Water Health Assessment; Shanghai Ocean University; Shanghai 201306; China. Shanghai Universities Key Laboratory of Marine Animal Taxonomy and Evolution; Shanghai Ocean University; Shanghai 201306; China.
Diptera Orthocladiinae taxonomy female larva key

Abstract

Rheosmittia Brundin, 1986 (Diptera: Chironomidae) from China is reviewed based on DNA barcodes and morphology. Two new species, Rheosmittia motuoensis Zhang & Lin, sp. nov. from Xizang and Rheosmittia wangi Zhang & Lin, sp. nov. from Yunnan, as well as an unidentified larva from Zhejiang, are described and illustrated. The first new species is characterized by its distinctive body coloration, smaller AR, and inferior volsella positioned at the midlength of the gonocoxite, while the second new species is distinguished by slightly curved gonostylus and longer costa extension. Given the distinctive morphology of the gonostylus in R. wangi within the genus, generic diagnosis is amended. A key to adult males of extant Rheosmittia is presented.

 

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How to Cite

Zhang, Z.-C., Chen, Y.-Z., Zhang, Y., Yao, Y. & Lin, X.-L. (2026) A review of Rheosmittia Brundin, 1986 (Diptera: Chironomidae) from China based on DNA barcodes and morphology. Zootaxa, 5760 (2), 265–285. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5760.2.6