A review of the genus Berosus Leach of Cuba (Coleoptera, Hydrophilidae)

Zookeys. 2013 Feb 28:(273):73-106. doi: 10.3897/zookeys.273.4591. Print 2013.

Abstract

The Cuban fauna of the genus Berosus Leach, 1817 is reviewed based on newly collected material as well as historical and type specimens. Nine species are recognized, including three recorded from Cuba for the first time: Berosus infuscatus LeConte, 1855, Berosus interstitialis Knisch, 1924 (= Berosus stribalus Orchymont, 1946 syn. n.) and Berosus metalliceps Sharp, 1882. Only one of the nine Cuban species, Berosus chevrolati, remains endemic to Cuba, as two other species previously considered as endemic to Cuba are recorded from elsewhere: Berosus quadridens from Mexico and Central America and Berosus trilobus from the Dominican Republic. Notes on biology and Cuban distribution are provided for all nine species. Berosus quadridens Chevrolat, 1863, stat. restit. is removed from synonym with Berosus truncatipennis and considered a valid species.

ResumenLa fauna cubana de Berosus Leach, 1817 es revisada a partir de nuevo material colectado así, como de material tipo e histórico. Se reconocen un total de nueve especies, incluyendo tres nuevos registros: Berosus infuscatus LeConte, 1855, Berosus interstitialis Knisch, 1924 (= Berosus stribalus Orchymont, 1946, syn. n.) y B metalliceps Sharp, 1882. Solo una de las nueve especies cubanas, Berosus chevrolati, permanece como endémica, las otras dos especies originalmente consideradas como endémicas han sido registradas fuera de Cuba: Berosus quadridens presente en México y América Central y Berosus trilobus en República Dominicana. Se ofrecen datos sobre la biología y la distribución de todas las especies cubanas. Berosus quadridens Chevrolat, 1863, stat. restit. es destituida como sinónimo de Berosus truncatipennis y considerada como una especie válida.

Keywords: Berosini; Caribbean; Hydrophilinae; Neotropical region; identification key; new records; new synonymy; taxonomy.