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Type: Articles
Published: 2007-07-16
Page range: 17–29
Abstract views: 53
PDF downloaded: 4

A revision of the Australian intertidal water beetle genus Hughleechia Perkins (Coleoptera: Hydraenidae)

Department of Entomology, Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University, Cambridge MA 02138 USA
Coleoptera Hydraenidae Hughleechia Perkins new species Australia intertidal zone aquatic insects aquatic microhabitats holotype digital images

Abstract

The Australian intertidal water beetle genus Hughleechia Perkins, 1981, is revised, based on the study of 123 specimens. The genus and the type species, H. giulianii Perkins, are redescribed. One new species, H. gracilis, is described. High resolution digital images of the primary types are presented (online version in color), male genitalia and elytral microsculpture are illustrated, scanning electron micrographs of selected morphological features are given, and geographic distributions are mapped. Both species are intertidal, but differ markedly in habitus, elytral setae, and some ventral characters, whereas they share basic morphology of the exocrine secretion delivery system and have similar aedeagal form. H. giulianii is known from several localities on the southwestern and southern coasts of Australia, being collected from rock crevices that are covered by high tides, dry rock crevices in the high tide splash zone, and in rock pools a few feet above the water line, created by splash and spray but seldom or never reached by waves. H. gracilis is known from two localities in Tasmania, all specimens being collected from high intertidal rock faces, by pyrethrin fogging.

References

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    Perkins, P. D. (1981). Hughleechia giulianii, a new genus and new species of intertidal beetle from Australia (Coleoptera: Hydraenidae). Pan-Pacific Entomologist, 57(1), 295-302.

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    Perkins, P. D. (2004a). A revision of the Australian endemic water beetle genus Gymnanthelius Perkins (Coleoptera: Hydraenidae). Zootaxa, 585, 1–39.

    Perkins, P. D. (2004b). A revision of the Western Australian endemic humicolous beetle genus Tympallopatrum Perkins (Coleoptera: Hydraenidae). Zootaxa, 672, 1–16.

    Perkins, P. D. (2004c). Limnebius acupunctus, a new species of water beetle from Australia and Papua New Guinea (Coleoptera: Hydraenidae). Zootaxa, 749, 1–12.

    Perkins, P. D. (2005). A revision of the water beetle genus Gymnochthebius Orchymont (Coleoptera: Hydraenidae) for Australia and Papua New Guinea. Zootaxa, 1024, 1–161.

    Perkins, P. D. (2006). A revision of the Australian humicolous and hygropetric water beetle genus Tympanogaster Perkins, and comparative morphology of the Meropathina (Coleoptera: Hydraenidae). Zootaxa, 1346, 1–396.

    Perkins, P. D. (2007). A revision of the Australian species of the water beetle genus Hydraena Kugelann (Coleoptera: Hydraenidae). Zootaxa, 1489, 1–207.