Pannota

Definition

A suborder of mayflies (Ephemeroptera) distinguished from its sister group Schistonota by the degree of wing-pad fusion in mature nymphs: in Pannota, the mesothoracic fusion is less than half the fore-wing length, whereas in Schistonota it exceeds half. Pannota nymphs also possess structurally modified gills and exhibit sedentary, slow-moving crawling behavior in contrast to the active swimming, burrowing, or sprawling habits of Schistonota nymphs.

Etymology

Example

The family Caenidae, whose nymphs crawl slowly among fine sediments, belongs to the suborder Pannota.

Related Terms

• Schistonota
• Ephemeroptera
• wing pad
• Mesothorax
• nymph
• gill

Usage Notes

The wing-pad fusion criterion is a key diagnostic character used in mayfly systematics to separate the two principal suborders. Pannota is considered the more derived lineage within Ephemeroptera.