Potamophylax coronavirus

Potamophylax coronavirus is a species of caddisfly in the Potamophylax genus, native to Kosovo. It was named after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Potamophylax coronavirus
Male adult
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Trichoptera
Family: Limnephilidae
Genus: Potamophylax
Species:
P. coronavirus
Binomial name
Potamophylax coronavirus
Ibrahimi, 2021

Habitat

The species is probably microendemic to the Lumbardhi i Decanit river in the Bjeshkët e Nemuna National Park, a "caddisfly hotspot" about 2,000 metres (6,600 ft) above sea level and 120 kilometres (75 mi) west of the capital Pristina.[1] The river has been severed in recent years, due to the construction a hydropower plant.[2] The river basin habitat of P. coronavirus has been described as a "battlefield between scientists and civil society on one side and the management of the hydropower plant operating on this river on the other."[3]

Entomology

The species belongs to the P. winneguthi species group and is morphologically similar to P. juliani and P. winneguthi.[1] The type specimens were collected a few years prior to description.[3]

Etymology

The specific epithet coronavirus refers to the coronavirus pandemic of 2020.[1] The author states that he also named this species in this manner to raise awareness towards environmental pollution in Kosovo and the Balkan countries.[4] It is the second organism to be named after the pandemic, following the wasp Stethantyx covida.[5]

References
  1. Ibrahimi, Halil; Bilalli, Astrit; Vitecek, Simon; Pauls, Steffen; Erzinger, Felicitas; Gashi, Agim; Grapci Kotori, Linda; Geci, Donard; Musliu, Milaim; Kasumaj, Edison (7 April 2021). "Potamophylax coronavirus sp. n. (Trichoptera: Limnephilidae), a new species from Bjeshkët e Nemuna National Park in the Republic of Kosovo, with molecular and ecological notes". Biodiversity Data Journal. 9: e64486. doi:10.3897/BDJ.9.e64486.
  2. "New species of insect discovered in Kosovo is named after coronavirus | Climate News | Sky News". web.archive.org. 2021-12-03. Retrieved 2021-12-03.
  3. "New Insect Species From Kosovo Has Been Named After the Coronavirus Pandemic". News18. 2021-04-14. Retrieved 2021-12-09.
  4. "Kosovar biologist names newly discovered insect after coronavirus". The Northern Echo. Archived from the original on 8 December 2021. Retrieved 2021-12-08.
  5. Chan, Athena (2021-04-13). "Potamophylax Coronavirus: Newly Discovered Species Named After Pandemic". International Business Times. Retrieved 2021-12-08.
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