Code QE059999

A family of mayflies with moderate to large nymphs, up to 20mm long, occurring in the south-east of mainland Australia. The head is hypognathous, with antennal length subequal to the width of the head. The prominent mouthparts and the forelegs of the nymphs include setose combs or brushes used in filter feeding. The abdominal gills are on segments 1-7, and are diagnostically strongly bifid and spinose.

The single Australian genus, Coloburiscoides , is restricted to NSW and Victoria, where two species occur in fast to torrential currents. Microhabitat preferences include stones and immersed woody material. The nymphs use the setae of their mouthparts and fore and midlegs to filter feed.

References:

Campbell, I.C. (1985) Dietary habits of some Australian siphlonurid and oligoneurid ephemeropteran nymphs. Verhandlungen der Internationalen Vereinigung fr theoretische und angewandte Limnologie 22 : 3250-3259.

Campbell, I.C. (1986) Life histories of some Australian siphlonurid and oligoneurid mayflies (Insecta: Ephemeroptera). Australian Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 37 : 261-288.

Chessman, B.C. (1986) Dietary studies of aquatic insects from two Victorian rivers. Australian Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 37: 129-146.

Dean, J.C. (1996) Coloburiscidae. pp. 34-35. In: Dean, J.C. and Suter, P.J. Mayfly Nymphs of Australia. A guide to Genera. Cooperative Research Centre for Freshwater Ecology, Identification Guide No. 7., Albury, NSW.