AN IDENTIFICATION GUIDE TO SUBFOSSIL TANYPODINAE LARVAE (INSECTA: DIPTERA: CHRIRONOMIDAE) BASED ON CEPHALIC SETATION

Abstract

Tanypodinae usually form an important component in subfossil Chironomidae assemblages but can be difficult to identify beyond subfamily level due to fragmentation of subfossil material. However, generic identification of most subfossil specimens can be achieved by reference to the arrangement of cephalic setae. This paper presents the first identification guide to Holarctic Tanypodinae genera based on the cephalic setae. A total of 33 genera is described and illustrated, of which 9 were previously undescribed, and 26 descriptions are based on new material. A total of 42 species is illustrated to show intrageneric and intraspecific variation. Improved taxonomic resolution will enhance the performance of chironomid-environmental variable inference models and chironomid biostratigraphy.