Code QE069999

The dominant family of Australian mayflies, with over 70% of described species. Nymphs are somewhat dorsoventrally flattened and have prognathous heads. The gills occur on segments 1-7 and have variously shaped double lamellae. Caudal filaments with a whorl of setae at the apex of each segment, never with setal fringe.

Nymphal Leptophlebiidae exhibit a diversity of biologies, ranging from montane torrents to ephemeral arid zone streams and pools. Despite their numerical dominance of the mayfly fauna in Australia, ecological studies are relatively few and much new information can be generated by any detailed autecological or community study.

Although with fifteen described genera, there are at least six undescribed taxa of generic rank, indicating that the taxonomy of the group requires further study.

References:

Bailey, P.C.E. (1981) Diel activity patterns in nymphs of an Australian mayfly Atalophlebioides sp. (Ephemeroptera: Leptophlebiidae). Australian Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 32 : 121-131.

Campbell, I.C., Duncan, M.J. and Swading, K.M. (1990) Life histories of some Ephemeroptera from Victoria, Australia. pp. 81-84. In: I.C. Campbell (ed.) Mayflies and Stoneflies: Life histories and biology . Kluwer Academic Press, Dordrecht.

Campbell, I.C. and Peters, W.L. (1993) A revision of Australian Ephemeroptera genus Atalomicra Harker (Leptophlebiidae: Atalophlebiinae). Aquatic Insects 15 : 89-107.

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) Leptophlebiidae. pp. 37-63. 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.