[Karyotypic characteristics of the genus Prosimulium Roub. (Simuliidae) and the problems of systematics].

A comparative-karyologycal study of 12 species of black flies of the genus Prosimulium was carried out. Species referring to the groups hirtipes and macropyga have similar karyotypical characteristics differing in general in the degree of ploidy of chromosomal sets. Species which form the group alpestre possess peculiar karyologycal characters occupying due to this an intermediate position between the genera Prosimulium and Helodon. They should be separated into a distinct superspecies taxon, Ahaimophaga Chubareva et Rubzov gen. n. P. multicaulis differs karyotypically from other species of the genus Prosimulium but displays a great resemblance to species of Helodon; due to this it should be assigned to the latter.