Katasophistes Explained

Katasophistes is a Neotropical genus of water scavenger beetle in the family Hydrophilidae represented by four described species known from the Guiana Shield Region.^[1]

Taxonomy

The genus Katasophistes was described for the first time by Girón & Short in 2018.^[2]

It belongs in the subfamily Acidocerinae and contains four described species from Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela.

Description

Small beetles (2.7–4.5 mm), smooth and shiny dorsally, brown to dark brown in coloration, with long maxillary palps. A complete diagnosis was presented by Girón and Short.

Habitat

According to Girón and Short species known from Ecuador and Peru have been collected from forested stream pools with abundant detritus, whereas Katasophistes merida from Venezuela has been collected on seepages.

Species

1. Katasophistes charynae Girón and Short, 2018
2. Katasophistes cuzco Girón and Short, 2018
3. Katasophistes merida Girón and Short, 2018
4. Katasophistes superficialis Girón and Short, 2018

Notes and References

1. Girón. Jennifer C.. Short. Andrew Edward Z.. 2021-06-18. The Acidocerinae (Coleoptera, Hydrophilidae): taxonomy, classification, and catalog of species. ZooKeys. 1045. 1–236. 10.3897/zookeys.1045.63810. 1313-2970. 8233300. 34228772. free. 2021ZooK.1045....1G .
2. Girón. Jennifer C.. Short. Andrew Edward Z.. 2018-06-19. Three new genera of acidocerine water scavenger beetles from tropical South America (Coleoptera, Hydrophilidae, Acidocerinae). ZooKeys. en. 768. 113–158. 10.3897/zookeys.768.24423. 1313-2970. 6019434. 29955215. free. 2018ZooK..768..113G .