Latitude dictates plant diversity effects on instream decomposition.

Running waters contribute substantially to global carbon fluxes through decomposition of terrestrial plant litter by aquatic microorganisms and detritivores. Diversity of this litter may influence instream decomposition globally in ways that are not yet understood. We investigated latitudinal differences in decomposition of litter mixtures of low and high functional diversity in 40 streams on 6 continents and spanning 113° of latitude.

A new black fly species of Simulium (Nevermannia) (Simuliidae: Diptera) from the Southern Eastern Ghats, India.

A new black fly species, Simulium (Nevermannia) karavalliense sp. nov. is described from Southern Eastern Ghats of South India.

Two new species of Simulium (Gomphostilbia) (Diptera: Simuliidae) from South India.

Two new black fly species, Simulium (Gomphostilbia) dinakarani sp. nov. and Simulium (Gomphostilbia) krishnani sp.

A new mayfly species of Rhoenanthus (Ephemeroptera: Potamanthidae) from Peninsular India.

A new mayfly species, Rhoenanthus (Rhoenanthus) tungaiensis sp. nov. is described and characterized at the larval stage by fore tibiae relatively long with dense hair like setae on dorsal and lateral surface, male compound eyes large, mandibular tusks 0.

A new mayfly species of Choroterpes (Euthraulus) (Ephemeroptera: Leptophlebiidae) from South India.

A new mayfly species, Choroterpes (Euthraulus) kalladaensis sp. n. is described based on nymphs and subimagoes from South India.

Periphytic diatom colonization and litter decomposition in an intermittent stream of South India.

We examined the dynamic of periphytic diatom colonization and litter decompositional pattern in an intermittent stream of South India. Litter bags containing 5 g of fresh fallen leaves (belongs to five different species of angiosperms) were fixed in the five stream pools and they were collected after 7, 14, 21, and 28 days of incubation. This experiment showed the diversity, richness, and abundance of diatoms developed on leaf litter.

A new species of Simulium (Gomphostilbia) (Diptera: Simuliidae) from South India.

Simulium (Gomphostilbia) kumbakkaraiense sp. n. is described based on adults, pupae and mature larvae from Kumbakkarai stream, in the Palani Hills of Western Ghats, South India.

Hierarchical dynamics influence the distribution of immature black flies (Diptera: Simuliidae).

Adult black flies (Simuliidae) are medically important insects and they are the sole vector of Onchocerca volvulus. Immature black flies are major components of aquatic macroinvertebrate assemblages in streams and play a vital role in nutrient dynamics. In this study, we examined effect of hierarchical dynamics (spatio-temporal pattern) on the distribution of immature black flies in South Indian streams.

Species diversity of black flies (Diptera: Simuliidae) in Oriental region and molecular phylogeny of the subgenus members.

Background & Objectives: Black flies (Diptera: Simuliidae) are ecologically and medically important insects. Female adults of black flies are the solitary vectors of river blindness (onchocerciasis) and their larvae play a vital role in stream ecosystem. This study examined the distribution of black flies in the Oriental region and analyzed the phylogenetic relationship of the subgenus Gomphostilbia members based on two molecular loci.

A new species of Prosopistoma Latreille, 1833 (Ephemeroptera: Prosopistomatidae) from South India.

A new species of Prosopistoma (Ephemeroptera: Prosopistomatidae) is described on the basis of mature nymphs from Coorg, Karnataka, South India. Prosopistoma coorgum, new species can be readily distinguished from the other members of Prosopistoma by the following combination of characters: inner margin of outer canine near apex with 2-3 short spines, the length ratio of maxillary palp segments (3.3:4.

Vector ecology of human schistosomiasis in south India and description of a new species of the genus Ferrissia (Mollusca: Gastropoda: Planorbidae).

Background & Objectives: Vector ecology and taxonomy of snails is a prerequisite for controlling schistosomiasis in the tropics. The ecology of the freshwater limpet genus Ferrissia was investigated for detection of cercariae larvae in them, and taxonomic description of a new species of the genus Ferrissia.

Methods: This study was conducted in 15 perennial streams from five different hills of south India.

A new species of Simulium (Gomphostilbia) (Diptera: Simuliidae) from South India, with keys to Indian members of the subgenus Gomphostilbia.

A new black fly species, Simulium (Gomphostilbia) cauveryense sp. n., is described based on adult female, adult male, pupal and larval specimens collected from Kushalanagar, Karnataka, South India.

Two new species of Simulium (Gomphostilbia) (Diptera: Simuliidae) from Peninsular India with keys to Peninsular Indian members of the genus Simulium.

Two new species of black flies, Simulium (Gomphostilbia) peteri sp. nov. and S.