Dytiscus brunneus Fabricius 1798: 64

Millán, Andrés & Ribera, Ignacio, 2001, The Agabus (Gaurodytes) Brunneus Group, With Description Of A New Species From The Western Mediterranean (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae), The Coleopterists Bulletin 55 (1), pp. 107-112 : 108-109

Dytiscus brunneus Fabricius 1798: 64

The only syntype of A. brunneus found in the Zoologisk Museum, Copenhagen (ZMC), was a female (labeled ‘‘ Dytiscus brunneus / Tanger /Mus Leh. et T. Luns. [?] leg.,’’ red Type label). Although the condition of the specimen did not permit recognition of the black spot on the crown, its total length (8.5 mm.) was well outside the range of A. ramblae (see below). Some additional specimens from Tangier were studied (Kasares Seghir, Rinnsal Tanger, 1 male and 1 female, 25.4.1988; and Cap. Spartel, Bachtampel Tanger, 1 male 30.3.1988, H. Fery leg.), and confirmed to be A. brunneus .

We recognize two junior synonyms of A. brunneus :

1. Dytiscus castaneus Gyllenhal in Schönherr 1808: 21. The only specimen in the Swedish Museum of Natural History (SMNH) corresponding to this species is a male labeled ‘‘ Dytiscus castaneus /[illegible word]/Barbariae [illegible word].’’ The genitalia (dissected and glued on a card pinned with the specimen) agrees perfectly with A. brunneus .

2. Colymbetes ferrugineus Stephens 1828: 79 . According to Stephens (1828) the type specimens were collected in South Devon, where only the typical A. brunneus occurs. The single specimen found in Stephens’ collection (NHM) (male, not labeled) was not dissected due to its poor condition, but is has a well defined black spot on the head.