An integrative approach enables the discovery of a new species of Anacroneuria Klapálek, 1909 (Plecoptera: Perlidae), based on all semaphoronts

Abstract Biological diversity remains largely unknown on a global scale, and integrative taxonomy has proven essential to the recognition of new species. This study describes a new species of stonefly from southeastern Brazil based on specimens from multiple populations and semaphoronts. Adult specimens collected in different localities and arising from different entomological collections were analyzed using molecular and morphological data. Molecular analysis utilized cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene and a Maximum Likelihood approach. Morphological analysis focused on general body color and shape, male penial armature, female subgenital plate, and nymphal mouthparts. Both molecular and morphological data point to a new, well delimited Anacroneuria species: Anacroneuria anticostalis sp. n. The discovery of this new species represented by numerous specimens from different research institutions highlights the importance of regularly revising collections, as an indispensable source of information on biodiversity. The association between all life stages of this species demonstrates the value of integrative taxonomy, which provides insights into the identity of distinct populations and semaphoronts, an approach still infrequently applied within the genus Anacroneuria . Finally, as this species inhabits some of the most frequently sampled regions in Brazil, its discovery highlights the importance for continued taxonomic efforts even in well studied areas.