The phylogenetically isolated South African endemic diving beetle Caperhantus cicurius (Fabricius, 1787): redescription and range extensions (Coleoptera, Dytiscidae, Colymbetinae)

By

Bilton, David T.
Turner, Clive Richard
Mlambo, Musa C.

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2024-10-22

Original Publication

Check list : journal of species lists and distribution

Volume

20

Series / Issue

Issue: 5

Pages

1149--1156

Subjects

Afrotropical region , aquatic Coleoptera , endemic species , new records

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

[São Paulo, Brazil] Luís Felipe Toledo 2005-

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.15560/20.5.1149

 

Abstract

New distribution records and a redescription are presented for Caperhantus cicurius (Fabricius, 1787), a diving beetle endemic to the Cape region of South Africa, which is only distantly related to other Afrotropical dytiscids. We show that the species is much more widely distributed than previously recognized and present details of occupied habitats for the first time. Caperhantus cicurius occurs throughout the winter rainfall zone in South Africa, from Namaqualand to the Eastern Cape Province, particularly in temporary waters in the Fynbos and Succulent Karoo biomes.