A revision of the Larainae (Coleoptera, Elmidae) of Venezuela, with description of nine new species
Author
Maier, Crystal A.
text
ZooKeys
2013
329
33
91
http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.329.4961
journal article
http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.329.4961
1313-2970-329-33
Disersus Sharp, 1882
Figs 1, 2, 9-22
Diagnosis.
This genus can be distinguished from all other genera of
Larainae
that occur in South America by the following combination of characters: its large size (5.6-10.1 mm), distinct pronotum, which lacks a transverse depression across the apical third (Fig. 21), and elytron lacking an accessory stria (Fig. 18).
Distribution.
Members of this genus occur in Central and South America, as far north as Costa Rica and as far south as Cuzco, Peru (
Spangler and Santiago-Fragoso 1987
).
Habitat.
Disersus
species can be found in fast-flowing streams and rivers, clinging to rocks and flying upstream in riffles and cascades. They rapidly enter and exit the water with great ease, carrying with them a silvery air bubble. They can be found in streams by looking for moving teardrop shaped air bubbles on the downstream sides of rocks with water cascading over them. Individuals of this genus are also commonly found at UV and mercury vapor lamps (pers. obs.).
Figures 1-4. 1 Map of Venezuela, showing collection localities for
Disersus inca
(Triangle),
Disersus chibcha
(Circle), and
Potamophilops bostrychophallus
(Square) 2
Disersus dasycolus
(White Circle),
Hypsilara royi
(White Triangle),
Roraima carinata
(White Square),
Hypsilara breweri
(Black square),
Hypsilara
sp. (Black Circle) 3
Hexanchorus dentitibialis
(Circle),
Phanoceroides
sp. 1 (Triangle),
Hexanchorus homaeotarsoides
(Square) 4
Hexanchorus falconensis
(White Square),
Hexanchorus mcdiarmidi
(White Circle),
Hexanchorus flintorum
(Black Circle),
Hexanchorus inflatus
(White Triangle).
Figures 5-8. 5 Map of Venezuela, showing collection localities for
Pharceonus volcanus
(White Triangle),
Pharceonus grandis
(White Circle),
Neblinagena prima
(White Square), and
Neblinagena doylei
(Black Circle) 6
Phanocerus clavicornis
(Black Circle) 7
Phanocerus congener
(White Circle) 8
Phanocerus rufus
(Black Circle),
Pharceonus ariasi
(Black Square).
Figures 9-12.
Disersus chibcha
: 9 Dorsal habitus 10 Ventral habitus 11 Lateral habitus 12 Metatibia, male.
Figures 13-17.
Disersus dasycolus
: 13 Dorsal habitus 14 Ventral habitus 15 Lateral habitus 16 Metatibia, male 17 Protibia, male.
Figures 18-22.
Disersus inca
: 18 Dorsal habitus 19 Ventral habitus 20 Lateral habitus 21 Pronotum, dorsal view 22 Metatibia, male.