Hydrochus leei

Perkins, Philip D., 2021, Taxonomy of water beetles in the genus Hydrochus Leach, 1817, from Bolivia, Brazil and Paraguay (Coleoptera: Hydrochidae), Zootaxa 4994 (1), pp. 1-93 : 12

H. leei species group

Figs. 2–5 , 17 , 22, 23 , 50 , 57 , 59 , 69 , 71

Members of the H. leei species group are recognized by the combination of the following characteristics: 1) small size, length ca. 1.85–2.30 mm; 2) dorsum often with bright metallic color or strong iridescence; 3) male genitalia with parameres much longer than aedeagus; 4) basal piece narrowing proximally, with hook-like shape of basal orifice ( Fig. 71 ). Currently, eight species are recognized: H. artus , H. coeneni , H. diversus , H. hamulus , H. leei , H. pupillus , H. rectus , and H. soekhnandanae . Most of the species are restricted to South America. H. leei has the widest distribution, being found from Mexico to Paraguay ( Fig. 69 ). H. pupillus , which has slightly different male genitalia morphology ( Fig. 50 ), is tentatively placed in this group.

Figures

FIGURE 2. Dorsal habitus of Hydrochus species in study area.

FIGURE 3. Dorsal habitus of Hydrochus species in study area.

FIGURE 4. Dorsal habitus of Hydrochus species in study area.

FIGURE 5. Dorsal habitus of Hydrochus species in study area.

FIGURE 69. Geographical distribution of H. leei.

FIGURE 71. Pictorial aid to species groups of Hydrochus from Bolivia, Brazil and Paraguay, using male genitalia. Not to same scale.

FIGURES 16–17. Habitus and male genitalia of holotypes. 16. Hydrochus austrinus n. sp. 17. Hydrochus diversus n. sp.

FIGURES 22–23. Habitus and male genitalia of holotypes. 22. Hydrochus artus n. sp. 23. Hydrochus rectus n. sp.

FIGURES 50–51. Habitus and male genitalia. 50. Hydrochus pupillus Orchymont, paratype. 51. Hydrochus drechseli Makhan.

FIGURES 57–58. Geographical distributions. 57. Endemics and near endemics. 58. H. bituberculatus.

FIGURES 59–60. Geographical distributions. 59. Endemics and near endemics. 60. H. formosus.