中国溪泥甲科分类研究

The Elmidae, commonly known as riffle beetles, are found in freshwater streams all around the world.They are often highly sensitive to water pollution and are therefore of great value as bioindicators.The adults breathe by mean of a hydrofuge ventral plastron, the larvae with retractile cloacal gills.Their migration capabilities are quite weak, so they are particularly vulnerable to face the same environmental problems compared with the large animals or good flying insects.Presently, sixteen genera, ninety-two species are reported from China, about 6.6 percent of the total. Take the Chinese Elmidae as the research objects, the project will carry out the taxonomic revision systematically. The main contents include that 1) examine the type specimens,correct synonyms and homonyms, and report new genera and new species; 2) investigate the Chinese Elmidae resources, clarify the species assemblage and distribution pattern in seven zoogeographic regions and then analyse the causes of the present geographical distribution pattern; 3) propose how to protect the rare or endangered species.This study will help us to understand Chinese Elmidae biodiversity, and also provide scientific basis for water beetles conservation.

溪泥甲科昆虫生活于水质良好、水流湍急的小溪、小河中，对环境变化敏感，欧美一些国家已经将其作为水质监测的重要指示物。它们生活在水底，用气盾呼吸，迁飞能力很弱，因此，不能像大动物或迁飞能力强的昆虫那样选择躲避污染，面对同样的环境问题，它们的生命显得尤为脆弱，许多种类可能还未被我们发现，就在地球上永远消失了。迄今，我国已记录的溪泥甲科昆虫有16属92种，仅约占世界溪泥甲科种类的6.6%，研究基础较为薄弱。因此，系统而全面地开展溪泥甲科的分类学研究工作显得尤为迫切。本项目以溪泥甲科昆虫为研究对象，调查我国溪泥甲科昆虫资源，比对模式标本，订正同物异名及异物同名，发现并报告新的分类单元；查明该科昆虫在我国7个动物地理区的种类及分布状况，分析目前的地理分布格局的成因；根据调查结果，提出对稀有种、濒危种的保护性建议。研究结果既能丰富溪泥甲科的物种多样性，又可为水生甲虫保护提供科学依据。

该课题是对溪泥甲科昆虫的经典分类学研究，主要研究结果包括：. 1.对溪泥甲科分布热点地区进行了采集，主要采集地点包括四川省、福建省、重庆、浙江省、江西省、吉林省等，共采集到了水生鞘翅目标本4000号余号，包括近1000头溪泥甲科标本。. 2.检视溪泥甲科模式标本48种，发现溪泥甲科新纪录属1属、新种24种，将中国原有溪泥甲科92种推进到了122种。基恩士超景深显微成像系统VHX-2000引入该项目。项目执行期间，共完成手绘图180余幅，拍摄特征照片200余张。. 3.对溪泥甲科区系分析结果表明：溪泥甲科在全国各大区的分布共有11种分布型，单区型分布的有113种，占92%，二区型分布的有8种，占7%，三区型分布的有1种，占1%.各区相比，华南区（78种）、华中区（34种）及西南区（24种）物种最丰富，东北区种类最少（3种）。同时，对溪泥甲科分布格局成因进行了分析。