Morphological and enzyme electrophoretic studies on the relationships of the European <i>Epeorus</i> species (Ephemeroptera, Heptageniidae)

Abstract

Abstract. Forty‐two enzyme‐substrate systems were tested on starch gels in order to characterize the Ephemeroptera biochemically. Of these, twelve systems were useful and enabled the evaluation of sixteen loci. This biochemical method correlated well with the results of the morphological characterization of the four European Epeorus taxa, which are subdivided into two groups: E.sylvicola‐E.torrentium and E.alpicola‐E.yougoslavicus. Our biochemical comparison with the type species of Iron (I.longimanus) from North America clearly shows that all four European taxa belong to the genus Epeorus and that Iron is a distinct genus. Keys to larvae and imagines are provided.