Taphrocerus tao Zayas, 1988

Barman, E. H., Michat, M. C., Alarie, Y. & Wolfe, G. W., 2007, Figs. 16 – 17. 16 in A Description of the First Instar of Hoperius planatus Fall, 1927 (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae: Colymbetinae: Colymbetini), with Phylogenetic Implications, The Coleopterists Bulletin 24 (3), pp. 334-338 : 337

publication ID	https://doi.org/ 10.1649/0010
DOI	https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.5463485
persistent identifier	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/293FD854-241C-BC52-FE3F-FDB242DB7E85
treatment provided by	Valdenar
scientific name	Taphrocerus tao Zayas
status

Treatment

Taphrocerus tao Zayas View in CoL

( Fig. 4)

Taphrocerus tao Zayas 1988: 41 View in CoL .

Type locality: CUBA: Pinar del Río Province, Viñales. Zayas (1988: 42) cited three syntype specimens from the type locality. The photographed syntype is a male .

This species is most similar to Taphrocerus timidus Chevrolat based on the information provided by Fisher (1925) on the Caribbean species, and USNM specimens identified by Fisher as T. timidus (from Cuban localities: C. Jatiponico; Nagua, Oriente; and Cienfuegos, Soledad). The USNM specimens have a slightly angulate lateral pronotal margin and a vaguely defined prehumeral carina at the posterior angle of the pronotum which appear to be shared by T. tao . Taphrocerus tao could be a synonym of T. timidus , but only examination of the actual specimens, including genitalia, in a comparative context, will resolve the identity of T. tao with certainty.