Paramegadytes Tremouilles & Bachmann, 1980 stat. nov.

Figs 26, 27, 56, 63, 70

Paramegadytes Trémouilles & Bachmann, 1980: 101.

Type species.

Dyticus glaucus Brullé, 1837: 46 by original designation.

Diagnosis.

Like Metaxydytes these species have both metatibial spurs apically simple, the medial margins of male abdominal sternite IX straight, and both males and females with two metatarsal claws, males with equal-length claws and females with the posterior claw reduced (Figs 26, 27). Females also share the characteristic of the medial margins of the gonocoxosternite with a series of spinous setae (Fig. 63). The lateral pronotal margin has a diffuse, but distinctive lateral pale band. From Metaxydytes these specimens are larger with the metaventrite wings relatively broader (see above under Metaxydytes for details of diagnostic comparisons). Third instar larvae have (1) the median lobe of the frontoclypeus truncate apically with a tuft of setae (Fig. 70), (2) the median and lateral lobes of the frontoclypeus separated by a wide emargination (Fig. 70), and (3) the lateral lobes of the frontoclypeus bilobed (Fig. 70).

Phylogenetics.

This may be the sister genus to Metaxydytes (Figs 75, 76; Miller et al. 2007) although here it is in an unresolved position relative to Nilssondytes, Metaxydytes and Megadytes + Cybister (Figs 75, 76). See under Metaxydytes for further discussion.

Discussion.

There are currently two valid species in this genus, P. australis (Germain) and P. glaucus ( Brullé). Trémouilles and Bachmann (1980) characterized and differentiated them.