Description of a New Genus and Species of Stygobiontic Diving Beetle, Psychopomporus felipi Jean, Telles, and Miller (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae: Hydroporinae), from the Edwards-Trinity Aquifer System of Texas, USA

Coleopt Bull. 2012 Jun;66(2):105-110. doi: 10.1649/072.066.0202.

Abstract

Psychopomporus felipi Jean, Telles, and Miller, new genus and new species (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae), is described from San Felipe Springs, Val Verde County, Texas, USA, which emerges from the Edwards-Trinity aquifer system. Psychopomporus felipi shows several features typical of subterranean diving beetles, such as depigmentation, compound eyes reduced, elytra fused, and flight wings absent. Psychopomporus differs from other hydroporine genera in having a broad elytral epipleuron, the prosternal process small and with a medial, strongly produced prominence, and the meso- and (to a lesser extent) protibia apically broadly expanded and medially distinctly curved. This is the fourth stygobiontic diving beetle described from the Edwards-Trinity aquifer system in south-central Texas, USA.

Keywords: groundwater; karst; stygofauna; subterranean; taxonomy.