Laccophilus proximus Say, 1823

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 : 220-223

Laccophilus proximus Say, 1823 ( Figs. 4 , 10 , 17 )

Laccophilus proximus Say 1823: 101 . Gundlach 1891: 35; Young 1953: 34; Zimmerman 1970: 91; Spangler 1981: 149; Epler 1996: 3.66, 2010: 5.81; Peck et al. 1998: 158; Larson et al. 2000: 66; Nilsson 2001: 249; Lozada et al. 2004: 104; Peck 2005: 44, 2006: 176, 2009: 7, 2010: 10; Deler-Hernández et al. 2007: 456; Pérez-Gelabert 2008: 78; Turnbow and Thomas, 2008: 36.

Laccophilus americanus Aubé 1838: 422 . Jacquelin du Val 1856: 13; Leng and Mutchler 1917: 196.

Laccophilus confusus Sharp 1882a: 292 . Zimmerman 1970: 91.

Diagnosis. Adults of L. proximus are distinguished by irrorate elytra irrorate without fasciae ( Fig. 4 ), SBL= 4.14–4.56 mm, females with a saw-like ovipositor, and males with a metacoxal file. These features readily distinguish specimens from those of L. vacaensis vacaensis and L. venustus , the

19) L. venustus . Filled squares = records reported in literature, filled circles = material examined.

only two other Cuba dytiscids with which they are likely to be confused.

Distribution. Laccophilus proximus has a broad distribution ranging from southern Canada, USA, Mexico, and Central America to the West Indies ( Zimmerman 1970; Spangler 1981). The species is widespread in Cuba ( Peck 2005) ( Fig. 17 ).

Ecology. Adults of L. proximus are the most common species of Dytiscidae in Cuba. They frequent new standing water and can be found in all freshwater habitats. Peck et al. (1998) reported the species as an accidental cave dweller that does not complete its life cycle in this habitat. Adults and larvae were often collected in water bodies with some degree of pollution, suggesting that this

species tolerates organic enrichment and can develop in deteriorated environments.

Comments. Laccophilus proximus is the only member of Laccophilus in Cuba in which the females have a small but evident metacoxal file.

Material Examined. CUBA. Isla de la Juventud. Punta del Este , 22-V-2006, Y. S. Megna leg. 9 ( CZCTR) ; Cerro Caudal , 22-V-2006, Y. S. Megna leg. 4 ( CZCTR) . Pinar del Río: Guanahacabibes , 20-VII-2003, Y. S. Megna leg. 2 ( CZCTR) . La Habana: Santa Cruz del Norte , 12-X-2005, Y. S. Megna and A. Deler-Hernández leg. 8 ( CZCTR) . Las Tunas: Palancón , 03-VIII-2005, Y. S. Megna leg. 17 ( CZCTR) , 04-VIII-2005, Y. S. Megna leg. 10 ( CZCTR) , 09-VIII-2005, Y. S. Megna leg. 32 ( CZCTR) ; Sabalo , 06-VIII-2005, Y. S. Megna leg. 28 ( CZCTR) ; Las Cuarenta , 27-XI-2004, Y. S. Megna leg. 18 ( CZCTR) ; Aeropuerto , 25-XI-2004, Y. S. Megna leg. 3 ( CZCTR) ; Amancio , 04-X-2008, Y. S. Megna leg. 53 ( CZCTR) , 12-I-2009, Y. S. Megna leg. 27 ( CZCTR) ; Sevilla , 18-XII-2008, Y. S. Megna leg. 41 ( CZCTR) , 15-I-2009, Y. S. Megna leg. 1 ( CZCTR) , 18-XII-2009, Y. S. Megna leg. 19 ( CZCTR) ; La Unión , 19-XII-2008, Y. S. Megna leg. 71 ( CZCTR) ; La Curva , 03-X-2008, Y. S. Megna leg. 72 ( CZCTR) . Granma: Cauto Cristo , 27-XI-2004, L. Chávez leg. 10 ( CZCTR) , 04-I-2005, L. Chávez leg. 2 ( CZCTR) , 11-I-2005, L. Chávez leg. 5 ( CZCTR) , 13-I-2005, L. Chávez leg. 5 ( CZCTR) , 06-II-2005, L. Chávez leg. 12 ( CZCTR) , 06-III-2005, L. Chávez and E. Gallego leg. 1 ( CZCTR) . Santiago de Cuba: Las Coloradas , 16-XI-2005, K. Blanco leg. 8 ( CZCTR) ; Caney del Sitio , 01-VI-2005, Y. S. Megna leg. 8 ( CZCTR) ; La Candelaria , 16-XI-2005, Y. S. Megna and A. Deler- Hernández leg. 4 ( CZCTR) ; La Cubana , 02-XII-2005, Y. S. Megna leg. 29 ( CZCTR) ; Campo Rico , 05-XII- 2005, Y. S. Megna leg. 12 ( CZCTR) ; Río Palenque , 06-XII-2005, Y. S. Megna leg. 6 ( CZCTR) ; La Pimienta , 08-IV-2005, A. Deler-Hernández and F. Cala-Riquelme leg. 19 ( CZCTR) ; El Olimpo , 03- VIII-2005, A. Deler-Hernández leg. 5 ( CZCTR) ; Chalons , 26-VI-2005, Y. S. Megna leg. 1 ( CZCTR) ; Monte Barranca , 05-XII-2007, A. Deler-Hernández and B. Téllez leg. 60 ( CZCTR) . Guantánamo. El Yunque , 30-I-2010, A. Deler-Hernández and R. Correa leg. 17 ( CZCTR) ; 29-I-2010, A. Deler- Hernández and R. Correa leg. 2 ( CZCTR) ; 01-III- 2010, R. Correa leg. 3 ( CZCTR) , 30-I-2010, A. Deler-Hernández and R. Correa leg. 5 ( CZCTR) ; Nibujón , 03-II-2010, A. Deler-Hernández and R. Correa leg. 71 ( CZCTR) ; Jobo Dulce , 11-II-2010, R. Correa leg. 3 ( CZCTR) ; Jamal , 09-II-2010, R. Correa leg. 2 ( CZCTR) ; La Alegría , 10-II-2010, R. Correa leg. 1 ( CZCTR) ; 15-II-2010, R. Correa leg. 1 ( CZCTR) ; Güirito , 06-II-2010, R. Correa leg. 3 ( CZCTR) ; Cabacú , 21-II-2010, R. Correa leg. 7 ( CZCTR) , 16-II-2010, R. Correa leg. 14 ( CZCTR) ; La Granja , 4-III-2010, R. Correa leg. 10 ( CZCTR) ; Guamá , 6-III-2010, R. Correa leg. 1 ( CZCTR) ; Yacabo Abajo , 24-X-2008, A. Deler-Hernández leg. 10 ( CZCTR) ; Macambo , 25-X-2008, A. Deler- Hernández leg. 2 ( CZCTR) .

Figures

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

Figs. 10–12. Male genitalia of Cuban species of Laccophilus. 10) L. proximus, A) Medial lobe of aedeagus, right lateral view, B–C) Right and left parameres in lateral view, D) Oval plate; 11) L. vacaensis vacaensis, A) Medial lobe of aedeagus, right lateral view, B–C) Right and left parameres in lateral view, D) Oval plate; 12) L. venustus, A) Medial lobe of aedeagus, right lateral view, B–C) Right and left parameres in lateral view, D) Oval plate.

Figs. 17–19. Known distribution of Laccophilus spp. in Cuba. 17) L. proximus; 18) L. vacaensis vacaensis;