A non-paraphyletic classification of the Afrotropical genus Acanthiops Waltz & McCafferty (Ephemeroptera : Baetidae)

Acanthiops Waltz & McCafferty (Ephemeroytera: Baetidae) is shown to be a mo nophyletic grouping defined by an anteromedially emarginate and laterally e xpanded and flattened pronotum in the larva. Attempts to restrict the conce pt of Acanthiops to Ac. marlieri (Demoulin) and re-erect Afroptiloides Gill ies, syn. n., for Ac. elgonensis Lugo-Ortiz & McCafferty, Ac, griffithsi Lu go-Ortiz & McCafferty, Ac. tsitsa Barber-James & McCafferty, Ac, variegatus (Gillies), Ac, varius (Crass) and Ac. zomba Lugo-Ortiz & McCafferty, are s hown to be based on inconsistent and inadequate morphological features that result in a paraphyletic taxonomy The unofficial separate treatment of Ac. cooperi (Gillies & Wuillot) and Ac. crepens (Gillies) under Platycloeon Gi llies & Wuillot is also shown to be paraphyletic. Acanthiops faro Barber-Ja mes & McCafferty, sp. n., is described from larvae from Guinea, and is dist inguished by the combination of a papillate projection on labial palp segme nt 2, small tubercles on terga 1-8 and abdominal colour pattern. Acanthiops io Lugo-Ortiz & McCafferty, sp. n., is described from larvae from the Demo cratic Republic of Congo, and is distinguished by the combination of a papi llate projection on palp segment 2, elongate tubercles on terga 1-9 and abd ominal colour pattern. The larva oi Ac. erepens (Gillies) is redescribed to incorporate morphological features and variability previously not accounte d for, and larvae originally assigned to Baetis cataractae Grass are shown to be equivalent to Ac. erepens. New locality data or emendations on locali ty data are provided for Ac. griffithsi, Ac. tsitsa Barber-James & McCaffer ty and Ac. varius (Crass).