Copelatus cubaensis Schaeffer, 1908: 18
Copelatus cubaensis : YOUNG (1963: 60)
SPANGLER (1981: 167)
LARSON et al. (2000: 47)
NILSSON (2001: 68)
PECK (2005: 44)
A review of Copelatus from Cuba, with the description of two new species (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae: Copelatinae)
Megna, Yoandri S.
Epler, John H.
Acta Entomologica Musei Nationalis Pragae
2012
2012-12-17
52
2
383
410
Y36G
Schaeffer, 1908
Schaeffer
1908
[399,802,842,867]
Insecta
Dytiscidae
Copelatus
Animalia
Coleoptera
9
392
Arthropoda
species
cubaensis
( Figs. 4, 22, 28)
Copelatus cubaensis Schaeffer, 1908: 18. Copelatus cubaensis: YOUNG (1963: 60), SPANGLER (1981: 167), EPLER (1996: 3.33, 2010: 5.45), LARSON et al. (2000: 47), NILSSON (2001: 68), PECK (2005: 44).
Typelocality. Cuba, Cienfuegos Province, Cayamas. Material examined: CUBA: ISLADE LA JUVENTUD: Nueva Gerona, 28.v.2006, Y. S. Megnaleg., 1 ex. Las Tunas. Sábalo, 06.viii.2005, Y. S. Megnaleg., 1 ex.; Comunales, 12.i.2009, Y. S. Megnaleg., 2 exs. SANTIAGO DE CUBA: San Rafael, 03.ix.2006, Y.S. Megna& Deler-Hernándezleg., 17 exs.
Diagnosis.TL 4.5–5.4 mm; EW 2.3–2.7 mm; see Table 1for other body measurements.Adults of this species are recognized by the following combination of characters: elytron with one posterolateral submarginal stria and six discal striae ( Fig. 4); elytra lighter than pronotum; genitalia with broad parameres and median lobe with broad lobate apex ( Fig. 22). Copelatus cubaensisis very similar to C. blatchleyi, but differs from it by the characters given in the identification key, the slightly different coloration of elytra, which are usually lighter than pronotum, the male genitalia and the generally larger size (TL 4.5-5.4 mm). The two species have similar genitalia with broad parameres, but the median lobe of C. cubaensisis more truncate apically ( Fig. 22a) while that of C. blatchleyiis more rounded (see YOUNG 1963: Fig. 7). Copelatus blatchleyihas the elytra usually darker than the pronotum and TL 4.5–4.8 mm( EPLER 2010).
Ecology. YOUNG (1963)reported that this species was collected using a blacklight trap in Florida. In Cuba, the species was collected in lentic (permanent and temporary) habitats located in lowlands, where it was predominantly associated with turbid waters with muddy bottom.
Distribution.In the USAknown from southern Florida( EPLER 1996, 2010; LARSON et al. 2000). Until now, all Cuban records of C. cubaensiswere from western Cubaonly ( SCHAEFFER 1908, YOUNG 1963, PECK 2005), but the distribution range of the species is now extended to the Isla de la Juventudand the eastern parts of the country ( Fig. 28).
Remarks.This species is similar to C. blatchleyiYoung, 1953, which is not recorded from Cuba. However, the presence of C. blatchleyiin extreme southern Florida and the Bahamas( YOUNG 1953a, EPLER 2010) indicates that it may occur in Cuba.
2005-08-06
2006-05-28
2005-08-06
Y. S. Megna
Cuba
Nueva Gerona
9
392
2
Isla de la Juventud
[507,913,1056,1075]
2009-01-12
Y. S. Megna
Cuba
Comunales
9
392
2
Isla de la Juventud
2006-09-03
Y. S. Megna & Deler-Hernandez
Cuba
San Rafael
9
392
17
Santiago de Cuba