Leptonema albovirens (Walker 1852)

Leptonema albovirens (Walker)

Macronema albovirens Walker, 1852:76.

Leptonema albovirens.—Ulmer, 1905a:56.—Mosely, 1933:45.—Fischer, 1963:166.

This is probably one of the commonest and most widely distributed species of the genus. The type-locality is Venezuela and in all probability somewhere in the general area between Puerto Cabello and Caracas. It is known from Texas in the United States south throughout Central America to Colombia, across northern South America to Trinidad, and north in the Lesser Antilles to St. Vincent.

There are many records for the region, and therefore they are not all given here. The records from the Fish Hatchery are given in Table 1; an equal quantity of records are available from Rancho Grande. Because the other records for Venezuela are fewer they are given in more detail.

MATERIAL.—VENEZUELA, ARAGUA: Estacion Piscicultura, 1974–1975, see Table 1. Rancho Grande, Oct through Jan, . Maracay, El Limón, 2–6 Feb 1976, 18; 17–18 Feb 73, 1 1; 14 Jun 73, 1. Pozo Diablo, near Maracay, 9 Jul 1963, 2 2. 10 km S Ocumare, 20 Feb 1969, 1 2. MONAGAS: Caripe, Hacienda Las Acacias, 26 Aug 1971, 7 3. CARABOBO: San Esteban, 5–8 Nov 1974, 2. Trincheras, 28 Mar 1949, 2 1. BARINAS: Barinitas, 22–26 Feb 1969, 2. Puente Parangula, 8 km S Barinitas, 18 Feb 1976, 10. FALCON: Las Dos Bocas, 7 Jun 1969, 1. TRUJILLO: Cuicas, 12 Aug 1964, 1 1. ZULIA: El Tucuco (45 km SW Machiques), 5–6 Jun 76, 1 .

Leptonema albovirens (Walker)

Macronema albovirens Walker, 1852:76.

Leptonema albovirens (Walker).—Fischer, 1963:166.—Flint, McAlpine, and Ross. 1987:65.

This is a very widespread species over Central America, northern South America, and the Lesser Antilles: USA (Texas), Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Venezuela, Trinidad, Tobago, Grenada, and St. Vincent. It is found in small rivers and streams of low gradient, but with rocky bottoms, often with rather poor water quality.

MATERIAL.—COLOMBIA. DPTO. ANTIOQUIA: Río Aurrá, km 50, near San Jerónimo, 24 Feb 1983, O.S. Flint, Jr., 4, 1. Río Aurrá, 7 km W San Jerónimo, 22–23 Feb 1984, C.M. & O.S. Flint, Jr., 1. Quebrada La Jiménez, Sopetrán (trap C), May–Dec 1983, U. Matthias, 4, 5. Quebrada Honda, Marsella [12 km SW Fredonia], 1450 m, 22 Feb 1983, O.S. Flint, Jr., 7, 5; same, but 3–4 Mar 1984, C.M. & O.S. Flint, Jr., 1, 4. Fredonia, 17 Oct 1970, M. Garcia, 1 (UNCM). Quebrada La Ayurá, Envigado (trap B), 27 Nov 1983, U. Matthias, 1. Medellín, Mar 1942, F.L. Gallego, 2, 3. V[alle de] Medellín, Feb 1939, Gallego, 1; Jul 1945, 1 (UNCM). Cisneros, Río Nus, Dec 1941, Gallego, 1 (UNCM). Tarazá, Jan 1972, A. Madrigal, 1 (UNCM). Porce, Aug 1977, R. Vélez, 2, 1 (UNCM). In addition, material has been seen from the Departments of Cundinamarca, Meta, Tolirna, and Valle del Cauca in Colombia.

Leptonema albovirens (Walker)

Macronema albovirens Walker. 1852:76 [lectotype , in BMNH].

Leptonema albovirens (Walker).—Fischer, 1963:166.—Flint, 1967b:8: 1968:31, 32: 1981:19.—Bueno Soria and Flint. 1978:208, 209.—Harrison and Rankin, 1976:275–311.

Leptonema guatemalum Banks. 1913:89, Pl. IV: figs. 9. 11. [holotype , in MCZ).—Flint. 1967b:8 (synonymy).

TYPE-LOCALITY.—Of albovirens: Venezuela. Of guatemalum: Olas de Moka, Dpto. Solola, Guatemala.

DISTRIBUTION.—USA (Texas), Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Venezuela, Trinidad, Tobago, Grenada, St. Vincent. Mosely (1933:47) lists British Guiana: these specimens are ramosum, new species.

MATERIAL EXAMINED.—Material is too numerous to list, but we have seen thousands of specimens, at least a few from each country listed above. Map 25 gives the outline of the known distribution of albovirens, but omits many localities in the central part of the range. In fact, albovirens is the “weed” species of the genus.