Chironomus salinarius

Author: Kieffer, 1915

Diagnosis (Identified from Thienemann reared material from the type locality.)
Exuviae 8.4-9.1mm long (n=5).
Cephalothorax: Cephalic tubercles small, LxB 70x37-105x60µm (n=3), with conspicuous frontal seta 65-78µm long (n=4). Thoracic horn much branched; basal ring of horn 120x60-145x63µm; tracheal patch 85x27-100x30µm; 10-12 tracheoles across (n=5); 2-2.5µm in diameter. Tracheal patch of thoracic horn without an "eye". Thorax granulation very weakly developed, virtually smooth.
Abdomen: Hook row II entire, length of row 0.64x width tergite (n=1); hooks 98-118 (n=5). Armament of tergites II-VI in the form of an undivided, usually extensive patch of strong points, the points in each segment increasing in size posteriorly. The point patches increase in extent from tergite II to V, but on VI the patch is more or less reduced. Armament of tergites II-VI not strongly waisted and with the posterior transverse band not successively increasing in extent to tergite VI; usually reduced on VI. Sternites III and IV without anterior or lateral shagreen bands. Pleura of segment IV without spinules. Comb of segment VIII with 1-3 stout teeth with narrow tips, set on the end of an elongate ventral cuticular mound which exceeds appreciably the apico-lateral corner of the segment.
Anal segment: Fringe of anal lobe with 72-106 taeniae (n=5).

Species keys out at Page 163: Chironomini 60 Chironomus of the Text Key.

Distribution
Palaearctic species: widespread in Europe, north Africa.
(For more information see module IdentifyIt – file: Chironominae).

Ecological notes
Saline waters.

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