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Stonefly (Plecoptera) fauna of the border river Kolpa (Kupa)

Monthly research of stonefly fauna of Kolpa River started in October 2008. We are collecting qualitative samples of the adult Plecoptera at 20 different locations in the upper part of the Kolpa River catchment area. In the current study, we also included our older data from some of these localities and additional 39 sites in the same area. Aim of this study is to investigate diversity and distribution of stoneflies along the upper reach of Kolpa River and its tributaries. The results are based on the identification of adult insects and only in some cases, larvae and exuviae are taken into consideration. Altogether, 60 species of stoneflies were recorded from 7 families and 16 different genera ; 4 of which belong to the family Nemouridae (Amphinemura, Nemoura, Nemurella, Protonemura), 3 to the family Perlodidae (Dictyogenus, Isoperla, Perlodes), 3 to the family Taeniopterygidae (Brachyptera, Rhabdiopteryx, Taeniopteryx), 2 to the family Chloroperlidae (Chloroperla, Siphonoperla), 2 to the family Perlidae (Dinocras, Perla), 1 to the family Capniidae (Capnia), and 1 to the family Leuctridae (Leuctra). Location with the highest diversity of stonefly fauna is the spring area of Čabranka River with 27 species recorded. The lowest diversity of stonefly fauna is recorded at lower Kupa River localities. This study shows that, considering the stonefly diversity, the upper part of catchment area of Kolpa River is the richest part of Croatia and one of the richest parts of Slovenia. About 73% of stonefly fauna of Croatia and about 60% of stonefly fauna of Slovenia inhabits this region. Therefore, conservation of this important nature area should be one of the key concerns of Croatian and Slovenian environmental policies.

Plecoptera; diversity; Croatia; Slovenia; Kupa River; Kolpa River

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