Copelatus clarki Sharp, 1882

Hendrich, Lars, Shaverdo, Helena, Hajek, Jiri & Balke, Michael, 2019, Taxonomic revision of Australian Copelatus Erichson, 1832 (Coleoptera, Dytiscidae, Copelatinae), ZooKeys 889, pp. 81-152 : 81

Copelatus clarki Sharp, 1882 Figures 2 , 12 , 22 , 31

Copelatus clarki Sharp 1882: 585 (original description); Larson 1993: 52 (habitat information); Larson 1997: 276 (habitat information); Watts 1978: 125 (description); Watts 1985: 26 (general distribution); Watts 2002: 42 (checklist); Nilsson and Hájek 2019: 47 (catalogue).

Type locality.

"Australia [Queensland] (Cape York)".

Type material.

Lectotype (designated by Watts 1978: 125): Male, " Lectotype " [round label with violet frame], “Type” [round printed label with red frame], "Cape York. 676" [hw label], "Sharp Coll. 1905-313." [printed label], "Type to 76 Copelatus clarki n. sp. Cape Yorke" [hw label], " Copelatus clarki Sharp Det. C. Watts det. 1971" [hw label] (NHMUK). Paralectotype: Female, “Paralectotype” [round label with blue frame], “Cotype” [roundish label with yellow frame], "Cape York. 676" [hw label], "Sharp Coll. 1905-313." [printed label], " Copelatus clarki Cap York" [hw label], " Copelatus clarki Sharp Det. C. Watts det. 1971" [hw label] (NHMUK).

Additional material studied from Australia (304 specimens).

Western Australia: 4 exs., "AUSTRALIA/WA/ Shire of Wyndham-East Kimberley, Gibb River Road, King Edward River Crossing, 280 m, 15.6.1999, Hendrich leg./Coll./Loc. 10/110" (CLH); 1 ex., "Australia, WA/Shire of Wyndham-East Kimberley, Kalumburu Road, Meelarie Creek, 5 km N Drysdale Crossing, 350 m, 18.-19.6.1999, Hendrich leg. Loc. 15/115" (CLH). Northern Territory: 1 ex., "Northern Territory, Magela Ck, nr. rum pipe [Mudginberri Homestead], Pine Creek [-12.7, 132.95], 7.1.1987, Dostine, P." (ANIC); 2 exs., "Australia07, NT 112, Mary River NP, Mary River Billabong 5 km nnw. Mary River Creek 12.53.49S, 131.38.33E, 28 m, 4.-5.12.2007, M. Baehr" (ZSM); 2 exs., "Australis07, NT 109, Kakadu NP Jim Jim Billabong, 12 km SSE Cooinda 12.56.26S, 132.33.10E, 16 m, 2.-3.12.2007, M. Baehr" (ZSM); 1 ex., "Australia07, NT3 Litchfield NP Tabletop Swamp, 212 m, 13.10.65S 130.44.82E 30.-31.10.2007, M. Baehr" (ZSM); 1 ex., "Australia07, NT13, Kakadu NP, South Alligator R. Cr., Old Jim Jim Rd., 43 m, 13.02.95S 132.19.13E, 3.-4.11.2007 M. Baehr" (ZSM); 1 ex., "Australia: NT, Manton Dam Recr. Area, 46 km S Darwin, 35 m, 19.VIII.2006, 12.50.270S 131.08.050E, L. & E. Hendrich leg. (NT 1)", "DNA Balke 1658" [green printed label] (ZSM); 2 exs., "Australia: NT, Anniversary Creek, 12 km S Adelaide River Scenic Route, 43 m, 22.VIII.2006, 13.19.252S 131.08.271E, L. & E. Hendrich leg. (NT 7)", "DNA Balke 1639", "DNA Balke 2176" [green printed label] (ZSM); 1 ex., "Australia NT / Litchfield N.P., Florence Falls Rainforest Walk, 120 m, 4.11.1996 13°06.705'S, 130°47.220'E L. Hendrich leg. /Lok.17" (CLH); 2 exs., "Australia NT/ Kakadu N.P., Mary River District, Gunlom Waterfall Creek, 150 m, 2.11.1996 13°26.082'S, 132°24.929'E L. Hendrich leg./Lok.13" (CLH); 1 male, "Australia NT/ Litchfield N.P., Florence Falls Camping Area, 120 m, 4.11.1996 13°06.705'S, 130°47.220'E L. Hendrich leg./Lok. 16" (CLH); 1 ex., "Australia NT/ Kakadu N.P., Jim Jim District, Barramundie Gorge, Maguk, 50 m, 31.10.1996 13°18.823'S, 132°26.198'E L. Hendrich/Lok. 9" (CLH); 7 exs., "Australia NT/ Kakadu N.P., Jim Jim District, Jim Jim Falls Camping Area, Jim Jim Creek, 60 m, 26. & 27.10.1996 13°16.218'S, 132°49.276'E L. Hendrich leg./Lok. 2" (CLH); 9 exs., "Australia NT/ Kakadu N.P., Jim Jim District, Gungurul Lookout, 50 m, 1.11.1996 13°59.359'S, 132°19.904'E, L. Hendrich leg./Lok. 11" (CLH); 1 ex., Australia, NT, Pine Creek, Brocks Ck. [-13.46667, 131.4167], 25.4.1932, Campbell, T.G. (ANIC); 1 ex., "Australia: NT, Georgetown Billabong, 750 m E Jabiru East, 30 m, 29.VIII.2006, 12.40.716S 132.55.861E, L. & E. Hendrich leg. (NT 20)" (ZSM); 1 ex., "Australia: NT, Kakadu NP, Sandy Billabong 6 km S Muriella Park Camp. Area, 20 m, 31.VIII.2006, 12.54.077S 132.46.411E, L. & E. Hendrich leg. (NT 25)" (ZSM); 5 exs., "Australia, NT, Darwin, 12°51'24"S, 131°46'48"E, 52 m, at light, leg. Berger & Dostal (2/06)" (CGW); 1 ex., "Australia, NT, Litchfield NP, Florence Falls, 12°51'15"S, 132°45'16"E, 63 m, at light, 12.V.2006, leg. Berger & Dostal (5/06)" (CGW); 2 exs., "Australia, NT, Kakadu NP, Muirella, 40 m, at light, 10.V.2006, leg. Berger & Dostal (3/06)" (CGW). 46 exs., "Australia: NT, Litchfield NP, TJAYNERA FALLS, 13°15'S, 130°44'E, 63 m, S. Jákl leg., 20 –27.XI.2008” (NMPC); 1 ex., "Australia: NT, Nitmiluk NP, Edit Falls, 14°10'S, 132°06'E, 37 m, S. Jákl leg., 3.XII.2008" (NMPC); 5 exs., "Austr., NT, Kakadu NP, Jim Jim Billabong, 12°56'S, 132°33'E, 5 m, 5.-8.12.[20]08, Sv. Bílý leg." (NMPC); 1 ex., "Austr., NT, Kakadu NP, Gunlom, 11.12.08, 13°26'S, 132°34'E, 64 m, Sv. Bílý leg." (NMPC); 2 exs., "Australia, NT, Douglas, Hot Springs, 12.12.08, 13°45'S, 131°26'E, 35 m, Sv. Bílý leg." (NMPC); 1 ex., "Australia NT, 25 km S of Katherine, 168 m, 14°31'S, 132°25'E, 16.-17.1.2009, Sv. Bílý leg." (NMPC). Queensland: 3 exs., "AUSTRALIA Qld Mareeba S-edge Res. Stn. Sept 30/90 D. Larson" (ZSM); 1 ex., "AUSTRALIA Qld Ellis Beach 30 km N Cairns Jan 11 1991 D. Larson" (ZSM); 1 ex., "AUSTRALIA Qld 15 km N Cairns Jan 11, 1991 D.J. Larson" (ZSM); 3 exs., "QLD, Barkly (S) [-19.5000, 132.5000] Tepper JP", “25-0017652” (SAMA); 1 ex., "Australia, QL, Marbeeba, 700 m, 22.I.1993, leg. G. Wewalka (19)" (CGW); 1 ex., "Australia, QL, Dalrymple, 30 km N Charters Towers, 300 m, 18.I.1993, leg. G. Wewalka (10, 11)" (CGW); 1 ex., "Australia, QL (16) Ravenshoe, 900 m, 90 km W Innisfail, 20.I.1993, leg. Wewalka" (NMW); 5 exs., "Australia, QL, 15-20 km S Innisfail, 20 m, 24.I.1993, leg. G. Wewalka (24)" (CGW); 5 exs., "Australia, QL, 10 km S Tully, S Innisfail, 30 m, 25.I.1993, leg. G. Wewalka (26)" (CGW); 2 exs., "Australia QLD/30 km NNW Mareeba, near Mitchell lake, 9.11.1996 Hendrich leg./Lok. 20" (CLH); 1 ex., "Australia: N QLD, 30 km NW Mareeba, Lake Mitchell at Developmental R., 381 m, 12.IX.2006, 16.47.499S 145.21.444E, L. & E. Hendrich leg. (QLD 30)", "DNA Balke 1780" (ZSM); 1 ex., "Australia: N QLD, W Mossman Syndicate Road at Harlows Bridge, 12 m, 14.IX.2006, 16.16.289S 145.23.401E, L. & E. Hendrich leg. (QLD 34)" (CLH); 8 exs., "Australia: N QLD, Cape Tribulation Road S of ferry station, forest swamp, 12 m, 15.IX.2006, 16.17.469S 145.19.122E, L. & E. Hendrich leg. (QLD 35)" (CLH, ZSM); 1 ex., "Australia: C QLD, 18 km S Calen, Mt. Charlton-Calen Road, Boulder Creek, 42 m, 23.IX.2006, 21.00.365S 148.43.231E, L. & E. Hendrich leg. (QLD 45)" (CLH); 3 exs., "Australia: C QLD, 10 km S Mizani, 500 m S Lake Kinchant Camping Area, 46 m, 24.IX.2006, 21.12.599S 148.54.153E, L. & E. Hendrich leg. (QLD 47)" (CLH); 1 ex., "Australia: C QLD, Mackay, 33 km S Sarina, Bolingbroke Road at Railway Cross., 221 m, 24.IX.2006, 21.38.378S 149.08.183E, L. & E. Hendrich leg. (QLD 48)" (ZSM); 3 exs., "Australia: S QLD, 15 km S Agnes Water, entrance Errimbula NP, 15 m, 25.IX.2006, 24.15.193S 151.49.222E, L. & E. Hendrich leg. (QLD 51)" (CLH); 4 exs., "Australia: S QLD, Winfield, Winfield Road, forest pool, 21 m, 26.IX.2006, 24.34.084S 152.00.513E, L. & E. Hendrich leg. (QLD 54)" (CLH); 6 exs., "Australia: S QLD, Bundaberg reg., 2 km W Woodgate, swamp, 33 m, 27.IX.2006, 25.07.325S 152.30.270E, L. & E. Hendrich leg. (QLD 57)" (ZSM; CLH); 4 exs., "Australia: N QLD, 4 km NW Cardwell, Ellerbeck Road, 13 m, 19.IX.2006, 18.14.520S 145.58.458E, L. & E. Hendrich leg. (QLD 38)" (CLH); 4 exs., "Australia: N QLD, 20 km NE Mareeba, Hodzic Road, 361 m, 12.IX.2006, 16.49.556S 145.27.211E, L. & E. Hendrich leg. (QLD 28)", 2 specimens with "DNA Balke 2504" and "DNA Balke 2506" [green printed labels] (CLH); 3 exs., "Australia: S QLD, 40 km E Bundaberg, Tusky Creek, 9 m, 26.IX.2006, 24.39.139S 152.01.477E, L. & E. Hendrich leg. (QLD 52)" (CLH); 8 exs., "Australia S QLD, N Stradbroke Island, Brown Lake, 60 m, Baumea swamp, 27°29'37.09"S, 153°25'50.08"E, 18.X.2014 Lars Hendrich leg. (QLD1/14)" (ZSM); 1 ex., "Australia, Queensland, Hinchinbrook (S) Ingham [-18.65, 146.1666667], 30.3.1960, Harley, K.L. leg." (ANIC); 1 ex., "Australia, Queensland, Brigalow Belt North, Townsville [-19.26667023, 146.8166656], 22.12.1967, Ferrar, P." (ANIC); 1 ex., "Australia, Queensland, Cassowary Coast (R), Forest Marsh Innisfail [-17.53333, 146.0167], 7.9.1965" (ANIC); 1 ex., "Australia, Queensland, Cairns, Green Hill, 5 mi. E of Kamma [between Edmonton and Gordonvale, -17.05, 145.8], 7.12.1968, Brooks, J.G." (ANIC); 1 ex., "Queensland, 4.5 mi. NE Innisfail, Jubilee Rd. [-17.53333, 146.0167], 4.11.1966, Britton, E.B. leg. (ANIC); 1 ex., "Queensland, Goondi Hill Swamp, Innisfail, 3.11.1966, [-17.51666667, 146.0166667], Britton, E.B." (ANIC); 1 ex., "Queensland, Cairns (R) Edge Hill, Cairns [-16.9, 145.7333333], 23.2.1965 Brooks, J.G." (ANIC); 1 ex., "North Queensland, Townsville [-19.26667023, 146.8166656], 26.4.1968 Ferrar, P." (ANIC); 1 ex., "North Queensland, 6 1/2 miles S of Townsville [-19.36667, 146.8167], 20.03.1967, Upton, M.S. leg."(ANIC); 1 ex., "North Queensland Townsville [-19.26667023, 146.8166656], 26.3.1968, Ferrar, P." (ANIC); 1 ex., "Cape York Pen. Claudie Riv Xing Iron Range, 11.IX.1974 Walford-Huggins" (CLH); 3 exs., "Cape York Pen. Claudie Riv Xing Iron Range, 7.VI.1975 Walford-Huggins" (CLH); 1 ex., "Gum Leaf Lagoon Edward Riv. Mission 21 Nov. 1983 Walford-Huggins" (CLH); 1 ex., "Sarina, NQ Half Tide Beach, 3.ii.73 J. Frost" (CLH); 2 exs., "Australia: S QLD, Tuan State Forest near Poona Crk., water point 9, Scrubby Crk. upstream, 20 m, 29.IX.2006, 25.44.449S 152.51.316E, L. & E. Hendrich leg. (QLD 60)" (CLH); 1 ex., "Australia: C QLD, 10 km S Mizani, Lake Kinchant, seapage, 48 m, 24.IX.2006, 21.11.580S 148.53.522E, L. & E. Hendrich leg. (QLD 46)", "DNA Balke 1754" [green printed label] (ZSM); 1 ex., "Australia: S QLD, N Brisbane, Caboolture/Beerburrum road, near King John Creek, 29 m, 9.X.2006, 27.03.014S 152.57.021E, L. & E. Hendrich leg. (QLD 62)", "DNA Balke 2316" [green printed label] (ZSM); 1 ex., "Australia QLD01/19 Mt. Eliott NP 200 m, 4.-6.4.2001, M. Baehr" (ZSM); 5 exs., "Australia, Queensland, Archer River Crossing, 13°25'S, 142°56'E, 7. April 1989, mv lamp, G. & A. Daniels" (QM); 1 ex., "Australia, Queensland, West Claudie River 4 km SW road junction, 27. November 1987, mv lamp, G. Daniels, M.A. Schneider" (QM); 1 ex., "Australia, Queensland, Gordon Creek area, Claudie River Distr., 30. June 1982, M.A. Schneider, G. Daniels" (QM); 1 ex., "Australia, Queensland, 10 km NW Archer River Crossing 13°22'S, 142°54'E, 30. April 1989, mv lamp, G. & A. Daniels" (QM); 2 exs., "Australia, Queensland, Saibai Island, 6. February 1986, 09.23S, 142.40E, at light, Houston, Hamacek" (QDPIB); 1 ex., "Australia, Queensland, St. Pauls Moa Island, 10.-16. Febr. 1986, at light, K. Houston, E. Hamacek" (QDPIB); 1 ex., "Australia, Queensland, CYP Batavia Downs, 12.40S 142.40E, 3. March 1993, 10.III.1993, at light, I. Cunningham" (QDPIB); 2 exs., "Australia, Queensland, Cow Bay N of Daintree, 25.1.-7.2.1984, I. C. Cunningham" (QDPIB); 1 ex., "Australia, Queensland, 15 km WNW of South Johnstone, 7. Jan. 1986, light trap, Halfpapp (QDPIB); 1 ex., "Australia, Queensland, 15 km WNW of South Johnstone, 1.XI.1985, light trap, Fay, Halfpapp" (QDPIB); 2 exs., "Australia, Queensland, Mossman River, 5. January 1984, light trap, J.D. Brown" (QDPIB); 2 exs., "Australia, Queensland, 23 km E of Mareeba, 29. Jan. 1989, at light, R.I. Storey" (QDPIB); 1 ex., "Australia, Queensland, Walkamin, 20. March 1984, light trap, J.D. Brown" (QDPIB); 1 ex., "Australia, Queensland, Tolga, 14. Feb. 1986, light trap, J.D. Brown" (QDPIB); 2 exs., "Australia Qld., Helenvale, 3. 12. 1988 (UV light), Vr. R. Bejšák lgt." (NMPC); 1 ex., "N Queensland, 14.1.2000, Kuranda, Sv. Bílý leg." (NMPC); 2 exs., "N Queensland, 17.1.2000, Laura, Sv. Bílý leg." (NMPC); 3 exs., "N Queensland, 22.1.2000, Undara, Sv. Bílý leg." (NMPC).

Additional material studied from New Guinea (80 specimens).

Indonesia: Papua: 36 males, 43 females, "Indonesia: Papua, Merauke, Wasur, pools, 20 m, 15-16.x.2011 UNCEN (PAP02)" (MZB, NMW, ZSM). Papua New Guinea: 1 male, "Papua New Guinea: Western Province, Balimo, 0 m, 9.-11.xi.2008, 08.01.823S 142.57.458E, Posman (PNG185)", "DNA M.Balke 3806" [green printed label] (ZSM).

Description of male.

Body shape: In dorsal view oblong oval, broadest at midlength of elytra, moderately convex. Body outline, without discontinuity between pronotum and elytra. Head relatively broad; anterior margin of clypeus not bordered. Pronotum broadest between posterior angles, lateral margins moderately curved. Base of elytra as broad as pronotal base; lateral margins of elytra moderately curved ( Fig. 2 ).

Colouration: Body black, except around eyes clypeus ferruginous; sides of pronotum and elytra basally and laterally (including epipleura) ferruginous; appendages testaceous ( Fig. 2 ).

Dorsal surface sculpture: Whole surface shiny ( Fig. 2 ). Head uniformly microreticulated, reticulation weakly impressed with very small meshes. Densely, weakly and minutely punctate; rows of coarse punctures present around inner margin of eyes and in small depression anterolaterally of eyes. Pronotum with lateral beading very thin and indistinct. Microreticulation and punctation similar to that of head; row of coarse punctures present along anterior margin, basal margin (except basomedially), and laterally close to sides. Elytra with microreticulation similar to that of head and pronotum, but less impressed. Punctation consisting of very fine sparse punctures. Apex of elytra with some large punctures. Each elytron with eight impressed discal and one submarginal longitudinal striae; stria 2 weakly impressed, reduced to a few elongated short striae; stria 1 well separated from suture and in position of innermost row of serial punctures, striae 4 and 6 shorter than striae 5, 7, and 8.

Antennae and legs: Antenna with antennomeres long and slender. Protibia modified, angled near base, slightly broadened anteriorly. Pro- and mesotarsomeres 1-3 distinctly broadened, with adhesive discs on their ventral side; claws simple.

Ventral part: Finely microreticulated, with sparsely distributed, very small punctures. Prosternum obtusely keeled medially. Prosternal process strongly convex, apex bluntly pointed; distinctly bordered laterally. Lateral parts of metaventrite tongue-shaped, very slender. Metacoxal lines close, deep, almost complete and absent only close to metaventrite, and evenly and slightly diverging anteriorly. Metacoxae without striae, but abdominal ventrites 1-4 with numerous longitudinal striae.

Male genitalia: Median lobe consisting of a few sclerites, well separated apically ( Fig. 12A, B, C ). Shape of paramere narrowly triangular, with very dense, strong, long setae along dorsal margin ( Fig. 12D ).

Female.

Similar to male in habitus. Protibia simple, not angled basally and only slightly broadened distally; pro- and mesotarsomeres not broadened, without adhesive setae.

Measurements.

TL = 7.2-8.0 mm; TL-H = 6.5-7.15 mm; MW = 3.4-3.5 mm.

Variability.

All specimens studied are rather uniform but can vary in body length. In approximately half of the studied specimens, stria 2 on elytra is not interrupted and reduced to a few elongated short striae. There is a slight variation in the extension of the ferruginous basal band on elytra.

Differential diagnosis.

The species can be separated from all other Australian Copelatus with more than six striae on elytron by the broad distance between the elytral suture and stria 1 ( Watts 1978) and the shape of the median lobe. Copelatus clarki is the largest species of the genus in Australia.

Distribution.

The species is widely distributed in the northern half of Australia. Records are from north-western Australia (Kimberley region), Northern Territories and Queensland south to Brisbane and Stradbroke Island ( Fig. 22 ).

In this study, the species is recorded for the first time from southern New Guinea (Indonesia: Papua Province, Merauke Regency and Papua New Guinea: Western Province).

Habitat.

A widely distributed species in tropical northern Australia, C. clarki can be found in almost all lentic habitat types, in open country as well as forested areas ( Larson 1993). Most specimens were obtained from isolated pools of seasonal creeks and streams, and pools adjacent to streams in Eucalypt or tropical woodland, filled from leaf and debris ( Fig. 31A ). During dry periods, the species occurred in high densities in shallow water under dense emergent grasses adjacent to the water’s edge in irrigation reservoirs and dugouts ( Larson 1993). On Stradbroke Island, the species was collected in the shallow water of a seasonal Baumea sedge swamp ( Fig. 31B ). The species is also attracted to light.

Figures

Figure 2. Habitus and colouration of Copelatus clarki, female. Total length 8.0 mm.

Figure 12. Copelatus clarki A median lobe in lateral view, right side B median lobe in lateral view, left side C median lobe in ventral view D left paramere in external view. Scale bar: 0.5 mm.

Figure 22. Distribution of Copelatus clarki.

Figure 31. Habitat of Copelatus irregularis and C. clarki A residual pool of the stream bed of Oakly Creek, Queensland (Loc. 28) B only of C. clarki, Stradbroke Island, temporary sedge swamp near Brown Lake, Queensland. Photographs by L. Hendrich.