Novochares abbreviatus (Fabricius, 1801)

Short, Andrew Edward Z. & Giron, Jennifer C., 2023, Revision of the Neotropical water scavenger beetle genus Novochares Giron & Short (Coleoptera, Hydrophilidae, Acidocerinae), ZooKeys 1171, pp. 1-112 : 1

Novochares abbreviatus (Fabricius, 1801)

Figs 2 , 3A , 7A , 8A-L , 10A

Hydrophilus abbreviatus Fabricius, 1801: 251 - [America meridionali]; Zimsen 1964: 66 [lists type specimens].

Helochares (s. str.) abbreviatus (Fabricius, 1801); d’Orchymont 1939: 258 [taxonomic treatment]; d’Orchymont 1943: 55 [faunistic treatment]; Fernández 1982a: 32 [taxonomic treatment]; Fernández 1989: 148 [in key]; Hansen 1999: 159 [catalog]; Short 2005: 215 [new record]; Clarkson and Ferreira Jr. 2014: 400 [faunistic treatment]; Silva et al. 2018: 9 [faunistic treatment].

Helochares abbreviatus (Fabricius, 1801); Gonzalez-Rodriguez et al. 2017: 606 [checklist].

Philhydrus pallidus Castelnau, 1840: 53 - Brazil (secondary homonym of Hydrophilus pallidus Rossi, 1792); d’Orchymont 1936: 10 [synonymy].

Philhydrus pallidus Castelnau, 1840; Gemminger and Harold 1868: 482 [checklist].

Helochares pallidus (Castelnau, 1840); Fleutiaux and Sallé 1889: 376 [checklist].

Enochrus (Lumetus) pallidus (Castelnau, 1840); Zaitzev 1908: 388 [checklist].

Helochares (Hydrobaticus) rufobrunneus Balfour-Browne, 1939: 293. - Lesser Antilles, Grenada, Balthazar; Spangler 1981: 158 [synonymy].

Novochares abbreviatus (Fabricius, 1801); Girón and Short 2021: 203.

Material examined

(98 exs.). Bolivia: Santa Cruz: Ayacucho , 13-14.v.1969 leg. P. & P. Spangler (1, USNM) ; Santa Cruz, 11-12.v.1969, leg. P. & P. Spangler (1, USNM); 60 mi N. Santa Cruz, Saavedra Experiment Station, 3-5.i.1960, leg. Robert Cumming (1, USNM); Potrerillos del Guenda, Preserva Natura , 17°40'S, 63°27'W, 370 m, 17-22.x.2007, lights, leg. Cline & Wappes, BOL1 Cline 07 007 (1, SEMC); 3.7 km SSE Buena Vista, Hotel Flora y Fauna , 23-30.iv.2004, lights, leg. A.R. Cline (4, SEMC, TTU-Z), same data but 1-12.v.2004 (4, SEMC) . Brazil: Bahia: 15 km E. Itabuna, 3.vii.1963, leg. P. & P. Spangler (2, USNM) . Goiás: Divinópolis de Goiás, 2 km SE on GO-447, Roadside ponds, BR18-0222-02A (1, SEMC, DNA voucher, SLE2087) . Pará: Murumuru, 1.5 km E, Muddy shallow marsh along road, BR18-0205-02A (1, SEMC, DNA voucher SLE 2083) . Mato Grosso do Sul: Corumba (ca. 29 km SE) on BR-262, 25.vi.2018, leg. Hamada et al., drying marsh, BR18-0625-02A (1, SEMC); Miranda (ca. 9.5 km SW) on MS-339, Marsh area alongside stream, BR18-0626-03A (2, SEMC, including DNA voucher SLE2086) . Rio Grande do Norte: Ceara-Mirim , 6-7.vii.1969, leg. P. & P. Spangler (1, USNM) . Roraima: BR-401, ca. 6 km SW of Bonfim, 3°21.615'N, 59°53.361'W, 100 m, 12.i.2018, leg. Short, Benetti & Santana, large marsh with abundant vegetation, BR18-0112-02A (1, SEMC); BR-401, ca. 26 km NE of Boa Vista, 2°56.191'N, 60°28.017'W, 92 m, 12.i.2018, leg. Short, pooled up morichal, BR18-0112-06B (1, SEMC); Caroebe, Rio Jatapu, nr. Usina de Jatapu , 00°50.939'N, 59°18.262'W, 145 m, 17.i.2018, leg. A. Short, marginal pools of river, BR18-0117-02A (1, SEMC) . São Paulo: Piracicaba , 12.xii.1965, leg. C.A. Triplehorn (1 male, USNM); same data but 6.x.1965 (1, USNM) . Colombia: Amazonas: Leticia , 12-15.iii.1969, leg. P. & P. Spangler (1, USNM) . Costa Rica: Guanacaste: nr. Carmona, laguna de crocodile, 34 m, 16.i.2003, leg. Short, Roughly, & Porras, HG light (3, SEMC); Rio Animas , River w/ volcanic rock bottom, small cascades, small isolated detrital backwaters, AS-04-040 (1, SEMC, DNA Voucher SLE1180) . Puntarenas: Puntarenas, 22.vii.1965, leg. P.J. Spangler (1, USNM) . Dominica: Cabrit Swamp, 10-13.v.1965, leg. D.R. Davis (1, USNM); Postsmouth , 19-21.x.1966 (1, USNM) . Dominican Republic: La Toma N of San Cristobal, 9-10.vi.1969, leg. Flint & Gomez (1, USNM) . Guadeloupe: Pointe-a-Pitre , 1936, Henri Stehle (1, USNM) . Guyana: Good Hope (7 mi. NW, on road to Karasabai), 26.iv.1995, leg. Spangler & Perry (1, USNM); Region 9: Tributary of the Takatu River , NW of Kusad Mts., 2°50.563'N, 59°59.113'W, 109 m, 24.x.2013, leg. Short, Isaacs, & Salisbury, vegetated creek margins, GY13-1024-02B (1, CBDG); nr. Kusad Mts. , 2°49.793'N, 59°48.361'W, 123 m, 25.x.2013, leg. Short, Isaacs, & Salisbury, large vegetated marsh, GY13-1025-01A (1, SEMC, DNA Voucher SLE1221); Pirara Ranch & River, 3°32.1'N, 59°40.5'W, 23-27.iv.1995, leg. O.S. Flint (1, USNM) . Nicaragua: 13 mi N. Sn. Benito , 11.vii.1965, leg. P.J. Spangler (1, USNM) ; Rivas, Reserva Silvestri Domitila , 5-9.vi. 2005, 400 ft., lights, W.D. Shepard (2, SEMC) . Panama: Chiriqui Province, Las Lajas (8 km S.), 10 m, 5.vi.1983, leg. P.J. Spangler, roadside ditch (1, USNM) . Panama Province: Pond at Panama Canal, Explosive Depot , 31.viii.2006, leg. W.D. Shepard & D. Post (3, SEMC) . Paraguay: Central Department: San Bernardino, 10.iv.1980, leg. Spangler, Culzoni, & Wood (1, USNM); same locality but 22.vi.1969, leg. P. & P. Spangler; Aregua , 26-27.iv.1980, leg. P.J. Spangler (1, USNM) . Peru: Huanuco: Tingo Maria , 19-24.iv.1969, leg. P. & P. Spangler (1, USNM) ; Loreto: SW Iquitos, Aguajal next to Iquitos-Nauta highway, Margins and saturated leaves of aguajal (palm swamp) PE20-0119-01A (1, SEMC, DNA voucher SLE2152). Puerto Rico : San Germán, 23.xii.1962, leg. P. & P Spangler (1, USNM); nr. La Cueva del Indio, 14.i.1963, leg. P.J. Spangler (1, USNM); Hwy 3, km 32.6 nr. Palmer , 10.i.1963 (1, USNM) . Suriname: Commewinje: East-West Highway, ca. 6 km E. of Suriname River , 5°47.464'N, 55°06.730'W, leg. Short, SR 13-0809-01A (3, NSCS, SEMC) . Marowijne: East-West Highway, 15 Km E . Commewijne River , 4.iii.2012, leg. Short & Kadosoe, sandy/marshy roadside swale, SR12-0304-04 (1, SEMC, DNA voucher SLE1210) . Saramacca: 1 km E. Sidiredjo, 5.iii.2012, leg. Short & Kadosoe, roadside swale, SR12-0305-02A (1, SEMC, DNA voucher 1215) . Trinidad And Tobago: Trinidad , Debe, 17.vii.1969, leg. P. & P. Spangler (1, USNM) . Venezuela: Anzoátegui: El Tigre , N of, river along highway, 9°5.808'N, 64°19.445'W, 236 m, 3.ii.2010, leg. García, shaded margins without vegetation, VZ10-0203-03A (1, SEMC); same data except leg. Short, vegetated backwater margins, VZ10-0203-03B (1, SEMC) . Apure: Bruzual , edge of town, 8°2.534'N, 69°20.530'W, 83 m, 18.i.2009, leg. Short, Camacho, Miller, large marsh VZ09-0118-04X (1, SEMC) . Barinas: Obispo, 25.ii.1969, leg. P. & P. Spangler (1, USNM); Libertad, E of, along side gravel road, 8°25.773'N, 69°35.202'W, 106 m, 19.i.2009, leg. Short, Camacho, Miller, forested canal, VZ09-0119-01X (2, SEMC); Ciudad Bolivia, approx. 13 km SE, large Hacienda , 8°19.394'N, 70°28.238'W, 173 m, 25.i.2012, leg. Short, Arias, & Gustafson, marsh, VZ12-0125-02A (1, SEMC, DNA voucher SLE1217) . Bolívar: Gran Sabana, N. Santa Elena, Rio Guara at Rt. 10, 4°37.362'N, 61°5.679'W, 876 m, 17.vii.2010, leg. Short, Tellez, & Arias, marshy area, VZ10-0717-02A (2, SEMC) . Cojedes: El Baul, 5 km S, 21.i.2012, leg. Short, Arias, & Gustafson, large marsh, VZ12-0121-03A (1, SEMC, DNA Voucher SLE1240) . Delta Amacuro: Between Tucupita & Los Guires, 9°10.504'N, 61°54.610'W, 8 m, 3.ii.2010, leg. Short & García, marsh by road, VZ10-0203-01A (1, SEMC, DNA Voucher SLE1208); between Tucupita & Temblador, small pond along road, 8°46.439'N, 62°14.306'W, 19 m, 2.ii.2010, leg. Short, García, Joly, margins of vegetated pond, VZ10-0203-02A (1, SEMC) . Guárico: San Fernando , 12.ii1969, leg. P.&P. Spangler (1, USNM) . Monagas: S of Maturin , morichal at road crossing, 9°16.398'N, 62°56.246'W, 22 m, 2.ii.2010, leg. Short, García, & Joly, morichal margin, VZ10-0202-02A (2, SEMC) . Sucre: El Pilar , approx. 5 km SE, 10°31.419'N, 63°7.070'W, 2 m, 29.i.2010, leg. Short & Garcia, marsh/swamp along road, VZ10-0129-04A (17, MIZA, SEMC, TTU-Z, including DNA voucher SLE1207) . Trujillo: Sabana Grande, Rio Jirijara , 9°42.307'N, 70°32.570'W, 199 m, 29.i.2012, leg. Short, Arias, Gustafson, small muddy pool in river floodplain, VZ12-0129-02A (1, SEMC) . Zulia: Puente del Zulia, lagoon on finca, 17.i.2012, leg. Short et al., large lagoon, V12-0127-01A (1, SEMC, DNA voucher SLE1237); Sabana de Machango , 10°2.581'N, 71°0.428'W, 35 m, 29.i.2012, leg. Short, Arias, & Gustafson, margin of artificial pond, VZ12-0129-03A (1, SEMC) . Virgin Islands: St. Thomas , 20.i.1963, leg. P.J. Spangler (2, USNM) .

Differential diagnosis.

The defining feature of this species is the shape of the apical region of the dorsal plate of the median lobe, which bears a small rounded “cup” at its apex with two or three small teeth along its distal margin (Fig. 8A-L ). However, only specimens that very closely match the illustrated forms should be considered N. abbreviatus . Specimens that possess expanded apical “cups” or long distal arms are likely other species such as N. oculatus (Fig. 9A, B ), N. baca (Fig. 9N ), or other still undefined lineages.

Description.

Body length 5.5-7.0 mm. Coloration: Dorsal surfaces pale brown to yellowish brown, with paler (yellowish) clypeus and margins of pronotum and elytra (Fig. 7A ). Head: Maxillary palps 1.2-1.6 × width of head, uniformly orange to brown in color (Fig. 7A ). Thorax: Elytra without rows of serial punctures, each with very faint rows (one dorsal and two or three lateral) of scarce and weakly marked systematic punctures. Prosternum medially weakly and broadly convex. Posterior elevation of mesoventrite broadly and somewhat triangularly elevated, sometimes posteriorly transversely impressed, with low medial longitudinal ridge extending anteriorly. Abdomen: Apical emargination of fifth ventrite shallow to moderately deep and broad. Aedeagus: (Figs 3A , 8A-L ) Outer margin and apical region of each paramere rounded at apex and laterally pointed to hook-shaped; dorsal plate of median lobe (in dorsal view) with long and narrow neck, ovally expanded at apical region, with two or three very short distal arms; ventral plate of median lobe triangular, strongly sclerotized.

Distribution.

Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil ( Espírito Santo, Mato Grosso do Sul, Pará, Pernambuco, Piauí, Rio Grande do Norte, Roraima, São Paulo), Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominica (new record), Dominican Republic (new record), French Guiana, Guadeloupe (new record), Guyana (new record), Nicaragua (new record), Panama, Paraguay, Peru (new record), Puerto Rico (new record), Suriname, St. Thomas (new record), Trinidad and Tobago (new record), Venezuela (Fig. 10A ).

Habitat.

This species is a common element of the lentic water beetle fauna throughout much of the Neotropics. It is most frequently collected in open marshes, swamps, pond margins, or along the margins of larger rivers.

Remarks.

The body length measurements presented here correspond to confirmed males for the species. See extensive discussion and remarks under the species group for further history and information that relates to this name and taxon.

Among the thirteen specimens we sequenced from Costa Rica to southern Brazil, the maximum intraspecific pairwise divergence in COI was a relatively meager 3.7%, and along with relatively uniform morphology, this supports the conclusion that this species is extremely widespread throughout the Neotropical region as the literature suggests.

Figures

Figure 2. Phylogeny of Novochares spp. Part 2: Novochares abbreviatus species group. Inferred from COI and 28 S combined sequence data. Numbers next to taxon names are extraction numbers (see Table 1).

Figure 3. Aedeagi of the Novochares abbreviatus species group along with schematic representations of the whole, the parameres (in blue), and the dorsal (in yellow) and ventral (in red) plates of the median lobe A N. abbreviatus B N. oculatus.

Figure 7. Dorsal habitus of Novochares spp. A N. abbreviatus B N. pilatus C N. minor D N. tenedor.

Figure 8. Aedeagi of the Novochares abbreviatus species group A-L N. abbreviatus A-C Nicaragua D-F Argentina G-I Venezuela J-L Guyana M-O N. latus P-R N. pilatus A, D, G, J, M, P dorsal view B, E, H, K, N, Q ventral view C, F, I, L, O, R lateral view.

Figure 9. Aedeagi and habitus of the Novochares abbreviatus species group A-E N. oculatus: A-C aedeagus, Mexico D, E paralectotype from Guatemala D aedeagus E habitus F-K miscellaneous forms of aedeagi in the Novochares abbreviatus species group F, G Argentina H, I Venezuela J, K Bolivia L, M, R N. pallipes N, O N. baca A, D, F, H, J, L, N dorsal view B, M ventral view C, G, I, K, O lateral view R oblique view.

Figure 10. Distribution of Novochares abbreviatus species group A N. abbreviatus: examined specimens (red) and literature / unconfirmed records (blue) B N. oculatus: examined specimens (red) and literature / unconfirmed records (blue) C N. pallipes (red), N. latus (yellow), N. baca (blue), N. pilatus (green).