Palingeniidae | |
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Scientific classification ![]() | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Class: | Insecta |
Order: | Ephemeroptera |
Suborder: | Schistonota |
Superfamily: | Ephemeroidea |
Family: | Palingeniidae Albarda in Selys-Lonchamps, 1888 |
Genera | |
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Palingeniidae is a family of mayflies, members of which are known as spiny-headed burrowing mayflies. These are generally quite large mayflies with more than four longitudinal cross-veins on their wings. Males have short, wide pronotums and the legs are well-developed in both sexes. The cerci (tails) on females are shorter than the body. The nymphs live burrowed in the mud at the bottom of large streams and rivers.[1]
One of the best known members of the family is Palingenia longicauda, the Tisza mayfly after the European Tisza river, also known as the long-tailed mayfly and giant mayfly. It is the largest mayfly species in Europe, measuring 12 cm (4.7 in) from head to tail.[2]