Berosus infuscatus LeConte, 1855

Deler-Hernandez, Albert, Fikacek, Martin & Cala-Riquelme, Franklyn, 2013, A review of the genus Berosus Leach of Cuba (Coleoptera, Hydrophilidae), ZooKeys 273, pp. 73-106 : 79-81

Berosus infuscatus LeConte, 1855 Figures 3 a–g 11

Berosus infuscatus LeConte, 1855: 365: - Van Tassell 1966: 248 (unpublished PhD thesis: redescription, identification key). - Testa and Lago 1994: 26 (diagnosis, bionomic and distribution notes, identification key). - Epler 2010: 12.21 (identification key, taxonomic notes). For complete synonymy and references see Hansen (1999).

Type locality.

USA: "middle and southern States, e.g. New Orleans".

Material examined.

CUBA: Isla de la Juventud: 1 ex. (in alcohol) (BSC-E): Punta del Este, Laguna temporal [temporal pool], 21°33'43"N, 82°33'18"W, 1 m a.s.l., 21.v.2006, leg. Y. S. Megna, 00160. Pinar del Río: 1 ex. (in alcohol) (BSC-E): Guanahacabibes, 21°54'26"N, 84°39'14"W, 3 m a.s.l., 20.iii.2003, leg. Y. S. Megna and O. Bello, 00176. Camagüey: 2 exs. (dry-mounted) (NMPC): Cayo Sabinal, lagoon, 21°38'6.1"N, 77°10'8.2"W, 5 m a.s.l., 06.v.2010, leg. Y. T. Cambas. Las Tunas: 1 ex. (in alcohol) (BSC-E): Palancón, 21°00'N, 76°54'W, 100 m a.s.l., 04.viii.2004, leg. Y. S. Megna, 00017. Granma: 1 ex. (in alcohol) (BSC-E): Cauto Cristo, Laguna permanente-I [permanent pool-I], 20°33'33.1"N, 76°28'44"W, 44 m a.s.l., 04.i.2005, leg. L. Chávez, 00175. Guantánamo: 1 ex. (dry-mounted) (CZACC): [no locality and date] leg. C. T. Ramsdem.

Diagnosis.

Habitus as in Figs 3a, b. Body length 5.5-6.0 mm. Head metallic black with paler anterior margin of clypeus; pronotum pale, with a pair of closely associated dark narrow longitudinal spots mesally, elytra brownish with indistinct irregularly arranged slightly darker spots. Head and pronotum with very distinct mesh-like microsculpture on interstices. Elytral apices entire and rounded in both sexes. Mesoventral process laminar, anterior tooth large, projecting posteriad (Fig. 3c). Abdominal ventrite 1 with median keel developed only between metacoxae. Emargination of abdominal ventrite 5 rectangular, with two sharp medial teeth (Fig. 3g). Aedeagus (Figs 3 d–f) with median lobe slightly shorter than parameres, arched in lateral view. Parameres sinuate on lateral margin subapically.

Distribution.

USA (Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Texas, Wisconsin), Mexico ( Young 1953; Hansen 1999) and Cuba. The above specimens represent the first record of Berosus infuscatus from Cuba and the West Indies.

Habitat.

Cuban specimens of Berosus infuscatus have been collected among submerged aquatic vegetation in sun-exposed brackish permanent and temporary lagoons in coastal zones with turbid water and muddy/stony bottoms.