Laccophilus bifasciatus Chevrolat, 1863

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 : 219-220

Laccophilus bifasciatus Chevrolat, 1863 ( Figs. 2 , 8 , 14 )

Laccophilus bifasciatus Chevrolat 1863: 200 . Gundlach 1891: 35; Spangler 1981: 150; Nilsson 2001: 241; Peck 2005: 44; Deler-Hernández et al. 2007: 456; Pérez-Gelabert 2008: 78.

Diagnosis. Laccophilus bifasciatus is the only Cuban Laccophilus with two black fasciae on the elytra ( Fig. 2 ). This character distinguishes it from the Central American Laccophilus fasciatus fasciatus Aubé , which is superficially similar.

Distribution. Laccophilus bifasciatus is known only from the Greater Antilles ( Cuba and Hispaniola) ( Spangler 1981; Peck 2005). In Cuba, L. bifasciatus has been recorded generally in eastern montane areas ( Fig. 14 ).

Ecology. Laccophilus bifasciatus has been collected often from backwaters in freshwater habitats with clear water, abundant cover vegetation, and stony-sandy bottom. According to Deler-Hernández et al. (2007), the prevalence of this species in pristine habitats is a good bioindicator of montane freshwater ecosystems.

Material Examined. CUBA. Las Tunas. Las Cuarenta , 25-III-2003, Y. S. Megna leg. 3 ( CZCTR) . Santiago de Cuba. Las Cuevas , 12-VIII-2004, Y. S. Megna leg. 2 ( CZCTR) , 13-VIII-2004, Y. S. Megna leg. 1 ( CZCTR) , 04-XII-2004, A Deler-Hernández leg. 3 ( CZCTR) ; Gran Piedra , 22-IV-2004, Y. S. Megna leg. 2 ( CZCTR) , 01-V-2005, Y. S. Megna and Y. Alarie leg. 2 ( CZCTR) ; El Olimpo , 04-VIII- 2005, A. Deler-Hernández leg. 8 ( CZCTR) ; La Estrella , 01-XII-2005, Y. S. Megna leg. 24 ( CZCTR) ; La Cubana 02-XII-2005, Y. S. Megna leg. 2 ( CZCTR) ; Campo Rico , 06-XII-2005, Y. S. Megna leg. 2 ( CZCTR) ; Dos Bocas , 25-IX-2005, A. Deler-Hernández leg. 6 ( CZCTR) . Guantánamo. Monte Iberia , 07-II-2004, Y.S. Megna leg. 6 ( CZCTR) .

Figures

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

Figs. 8–9. Male genitalia of Cuban species of Laccophilus. 8) L. bifasciatus, A) Medial lobe of aedeagus, right lateral view, B–C) Right and left parameres in lateral view, D) Oval plate; 9) L. gentilis suavis, A) Medial lobe of aedeagus, right lateral view, B–C) Right and left parameres in lateral view, D) Oval plate.

Figs. 13–16. Known distribution of Laccophilus spp. in Cuba. 13) L. alariei; 14) L. bifasciatus; 15) L. gentilis suavis; 16) L. ovatus zapotecus. Filled squares = records reported in literature, filled circles = material examined.