Hydrochus leei Perkins

Perkins, Philip D., 2021, Taxonomy of Central American water beetles in the genus Hydrochus Leach, 1817 (Coleoptera: Hydrochidae), Zootaxa 4974 (3), pp. 459-503 : 476

Hydrochus leei Perkins

Figs. 1 , 38

Hydrochus leei Perkins 2019c: 50 .

Originally described from Venezuela; locality data records also published for Peru ( Perkins, 2020c). New locality data records for Central America are given below. Habitus and male genitalia images of the holotype, and detailed description of the male genitalia are given in Perkins (2019c).

Material examined (247): Belize: Stann Creek, Sittee Point; Possum Point Biol. Sta. , 24.iv.1987, leg. P. J. Spangler & R. A. Faitoute (1 NMNH) ; Belize, 48 km SW Belize City , 5.vii.1981, leg. W. E. Steiner (2 NMNH) ; Belize Dist., Hattieville , 7-8.vii.1968, leg. W. L. Hasse (3 NMNH) ; Western Hwy nr. Zoo , pine grassland, light trap, 7.i.2003, leg. C. R. Bartlett (1 SEMC) ; Cayo, Western Highway Mile 66, 5.vii.1969, leg. W. & D. Hasse (20 NMNH) ; Cayo District, San Igmacio (8 km S); stock pond, 23.v.1986, leg. Paul J Spangler & Robin A. Faitoute (11 NMNH) ; Western Hwy, ca. 1 mi. E of Belize Zoo ; at lights in pine savanna, (17°21’26.9’’N, 88°33’4.2’’W), 4.vii.2003, leg. C. R. Bartlett (1 SEMC) ; Orange Walk Dist., Rio Bravo Conserv. Area, pond at end Orchard Trail , water edge litter, (17°50’48’’N, 89°2’43’’W), 28.iv.1996, leg. C. Carlton (72) (5 SEMC) ; Rio Bravo Pres. , black lights, 1.i.1996, leg. W. D. Shepard (1 NMW) ; Stann Creek District, Dangriga , 29.iii.1988, leg. R. A. Faitoute (colln #35) (1 NMNH) . Guatemala: Peten, Parque National El Rosario, E of Sayaxche , (16°31’26.9’’N, 90°9’36.32’’W), 2-3.x.2013, leg. R. S. Zack (4 WSU) ; same locality, 30.vi.2014, leg. R. S. Zack (11 WSU) ; same locality, 16.x.2017, leg. R. S. Zack (6 WSU) ; Parque National Yaxha , ENE El Remate, elev. 167 m (17°4’1.99’’N, 89°24’.72’’W), 13.iii.2017, leg. R. S. Zack (12 WSU) ; Tikal , 28.vi.1974, leg. W. E. Steiner (2 NMNH) . Mexico: Campeche, 21 mi. E . Campeche, 27.vii.1964, leg. Paul J. Spangler (5 NMNH) ; Chicanna , 10 km W Xpujil, elev. 300 m, 13.vii.1983, leg. S. & J. Peck (1 CMN) ; Escarcega , 18.v.1962, leg. F. Islas S. (11 NMNH) ; same locality, 24.v.1962, leg. F. Islas S. (1 NMNH) ; same locality, 1-5.vi.1962, leg. F. Islas S. (6 NMNH) ; Veracruz, Acayucan, Rd. 185, 10.vii.1962, leg. J. M. Campbell (1 CNC) ; Cerveceria Moctezma , 28.vi.1963, leg. R. E. Woodruff (1 FSCA) ; Cordoba , 6-9.xi.1966, leg. A. B. Lau (1 NMNH) ; Cuitlahuac , 10-12.viii.1964, leg. Paul J. Spangler (6 NMNH) ; Fortin de las Flores , 26- 30.vi.1963, leg. D. R. Whitehead (2 NMNH) . Panama: La Chorrera , 13.v.1912, leg. August Busck (1 NMNH) ; Cocle, Nata , 26.xi.1952, leg. Blanton (42 NMNH) ; Penonome (13km SW), Rio Cocle Auxiliar , 28.v.1983, leg. P. J. Spangler & R. A. Faitoute (10 NMNH) ; same locality, 6.vi.1983, leg. P. J. & P. M. Spangler, R. A. Faitoute, W. E. Steiner (5 NMNH) ; Colon, 2 km S Sabanitas , (9°19’19’’N, 79°47’54’’W), 27-29.vi.1999, leg. A. Gillogly (6 TAMU) ; Los Santos, La Playa , 1.5 km N Pedasi, sea level, (7°33’N, 80°1’W), 21.vi.1973, leg. T. L. Erwin & G. Hevel (2 NMNH) ; Panama, Tocumen , 6.i.1953, leg. F. S. Blanton (6 NMNH) ; same locality, 28.i.1953, leg. F. S. Blanton (2 NMNH) ; same locality, 1-5.vi.1970, leg. Diego Navas (1 NMNH) ; same locality, 16-19.vi.1970, leg. Diego Navas (4 NMNH) ; same locality, 13-17.vii.1970, leg. Diego Navas (1 CNC, 1 NMNH); same locality, 7- 11.ix.1970, leg. Diego Navas (34 NMNH) .

Differential diagnosis. Among Central American species, recognized by the combination of small size (ca. 1.92–2.31 mm), the dorsum sometimes bright silver metallic, sometimes black, the pronotum with shallow depressions with moderately dense punctation, the pronotal shape, and the male genitalia. This is the smallest known Mexican species of Hydrochus . Differentiation from other similarly small sized species, if any exist in Mexico, will require dissection of males.

Figures

FIGURE 1. Dorsal habitus of Central American Hydrochus species.

FIGURES 37–39. Geographical distribution maps.