Oocyclus Sharp, 1882

Short, A. E. Z. & Perkins, P. D., 2004, A revision of Oocyclus Sharp of Mexico and Central America (Coleoptera: Hydrophilidae), Zootaxa 783, pp. 1-45 : 6

Oocyclus Sharp, 1882

Oocyclus Sharp, 1882: 61 (Type species: Oocyclus brevicornis Sharp –des. Knisch, 1924).

Diagnosis. Round to elongate oval, convex to nearly hemispherical. Elytra with or without rows of systematic punctures; if present, often bearing setae; margins not explanate. All ventrites pubescent throughout. Prosternum usually set with a pair of spines or hairs centrally. Mesosternal process often set with articulated spines or hairs. Anterolateral corners of prosternum evenly rounded or less frequently spinose ( O. substillus ). Eyes not protruding as in Ophthalmocyclus Komarek. Elytral suture not raised as in Beralitra d’Orchymont.

Discussion. There is considerable variation within the group both published and unpublished (Perkins, unpubl.data; Short, unpubl. data; García pers. comm.). Because this work is limited to only a portion of the species in the New World, a full redescription of the genus should await a comprehensive treatment that examines both Old and New World species. See Komarek (2003) for a brief review of generic­level characters within the ‘ Oocyclus ­group’.