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Genus Coptotomus

diving beetle - Coptotomus longulus Diving Beetle - Coptotomus longulus Diver #1 - Coptotomus longulus Coptotomus sp.? - Coptotomus Diver #23 - Coptotomus Coptotomus larva - Coptotomus Dytiscidae - Coptotomus longulus dirty aquatic beetle - Coptotomus
Classification
Kingdom Animalia (Animals)
Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)
Subphylum Hexapoda (Hexapods)
Class Insecta (Insects)
Order Coleoptera (Beetles)
Suborder Adephaga
Family Dytiscidae (Predaceous Diving Beetles)
Subfamily Coptotominae
Genus Coptotomus
Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
genus needs revision mainly because of high morphological similarity between adults of various species and possible hybridization/intergradation of individuals once deemed as separate species(1)
Explanation of Names
Coptotomus Say 1834
Greek copto 'cut, strike' + tomos 'part'
Numbers
5 spp. total in genus, plus one subspecies; 4 spp. north of Mexico, 1 sp. in Mexico known only from type specimen; perhaps additional undescribed species or synonyms; genus requires revision (1)
Size
5.7-8.6 mm(1)
Identification
Adults:
generally elongate-oval in shape, with the surface of the elytra variously maculate (patterned)
eyes notched at antennal bases
labial and maxillary palps notched apically on the last (outermost) segment (separates from all othe genera in the subamily)
Larvae:
Can be easily separated from other dytiscid larvae as they have elongated lateral abdominal gills.
Species identification of adults relies on examination of technical features such as colouration/patterning, characters on the underside (e.g. metasternal wing width), and genitalia.
Range
transcontinental, Canada to n. Mexico(2)
Habitat
Deeper sections of permanent ponds with emergent vegetation, lakes and slowly flowing streams(2)
Print References
Hilsenhoff W.L. (1980) Coptotomus (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae) in eastern North America with descriptions of two new species. Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. 105: 461-471.
Works Cited
1.Predaceous Diving Beetles (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae) of the Nearctic Region, with emphasis on the fauna of Canada and Alaska
D.J. Larson, Y. Alarie, and R.E. Roughley. 2001. NRC 43253.
2.American Beetles, Volume I: Archostemata, Myxophaga, Adephaga, Polyphaga: Staphyliniformia
Arnett, R.H., Jr., and M. C. Thomas. (eds.). 2000. CRC Press LLC, Boca Raton, FL.