Laccophilus vacaensis vacaensis Young, 1953

Megna, Yoandri S., Deler-Hernández, Albert & Challet, Gilbert L., 2011, Description Of A New Species Of Laccophilus Leach (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae), With Notes On Other Cuban Species, The Coleopterists Bulletin 65 (3), pp. 213-226 : 224

Laccophilus vacaensis vacaensis Young, 1953 ( Figs. 5 , 11 , 18 )

Laccophilus vacaensis vacaensis Young 1953: 31 . Zimmerman 1970: 158; Larson et al. 2000: 62; Nilsson 2001: 252; Epler 1996: 3.67, 2010: 5.81; Deler-Hernández et al. 2007: 456; Pérez- Gelabert 2008: 78.

Diagnosis. Laccophilus vacaensis vacaensis belongs to the group of species which lack the metacoxal file and have a short prosternal process. It can be distinguished from L. venustus and L. proximus by the three basal streaks on the elytra ( Fig. 5 ).

Distribution. The general range of this species includes the southern United States to Panama and the West Indies ( Zimmerman 1970). In Cuba, L. vacaensis vacaensis is recorded only in the eastern part of the country ( Fig. 18 ).

Ecology. Laccophilus vacaensis vacaensis has been collected in permanent and temporary lentic habitats with muddy or sandy-muddy sediments and warm, turbid water.

Material Examined. C U B A. L a s Tu n a s. Amancio , 04-X-2008, Y. S. Megna leg. 3 ( CZCTR) ; Sevilla , 18-XII-2008, Y. S. Megna leg. 10 ( CZCTR) , 18-XII-2009, Y. S. Megna leg. 2 ( CZCTR) ; La Curva , 03-X-2008, Y. S. Megna leg. 7 ( CZCTR) . Santiago de Cuba: Palma Soriano , 01-X-2005, K. Blanco leg. 4 ( CZCTR) ; La Cuca , 01-XII-2005, Y. S. Megna leg. 2 ( CZCTR) ; La Cubana , 02-XII-2005, Y. S. Megna leg. 10 ( CZCTR) ; Caney del Sitio , 01-VI-2005, Y. S. Megna leg. 10 ( CZCTR) . Guantánamo, Macambo , 25-X-2008, A. Deler-Hernández leg. 1 ( CZCTR) .

Figures

Figs. 1–6. Subschematic body shape and color patterns of Laccophilus species from Cuba. 1) L. alariei;

Figs. 10–12. Male genitalia of Cuban species of Laccophilus. 10) L. proximus, A) Medial lobe of aedeagus, right lateral view, B–C) Right and left parameres in lateral view, D) Oval plate; 11) L. vacaensis vacaensis, A) Medial lobe of aedeagus, right lateral view, B–C) Right and left parameres in lateral view, D) Oval plate; 12) L. venustus, A) Medial lobe of aedeagus, right lateral view, B–C) Right and left parameres in lateral view, D) Oval plate.

Figs. 17–19. Known distribution of Laccophilus spp. in Cuba. 17) L. proximus; 18) L. vacaensis vacaensis;