Rheumatobates urabaensis sp. nov. (Gerridae: Rhagadotarsinae) is described from a mangrove of the Colombian Caribbean region. R. urabaensis sp. nov. is differentiated from other species of the genus by features of the male antennae, fore legs, and genitalia. New distribution records are presented for R. bergrothi Meinert, R. crassifemur esakii Schroeder, and R. spinosus Hungerford. A key to the species of Rheumatobates from Colombia is also provided.
Euvelia orinoquia sp. nov. and E. meta sp. nov. from eastern Colombia are described, illustrated, and included in an updated identification key to the species of the genus. The former can be diagnosed by body length 2.30-2.50 mm, male fore femur without tufts of setae, longitudinal black stripe of female pronotum almost twice as wide as length of antennomere I, and female connexiva grayish black with silvery pruinosity on mesal portion, reddish on lateral portion. Euvelia meta sp. nov. can be diagnosed by female body length about 1.50 mm and maximum body width 0.90 mm, patches of silvery setae on female abdominal terga II-III and V-VII, and connexival segments I and IV-VI. Additionally, new records from the country are presented for species of Euvelia Drake, Husseyella Herring, Microvelia Westwood (Microveliinae), Oiovelia Drake & Maldonado-Capriles, Platyvelia Polhemus & Polhemus, Stridulivelia Hungerford, and Veloidea Gould (Veliinae).
The new genus Altavelia Polhemus & Moreira (Heteroptera: Gerromorpha: Veliidae) includes seven species previously contained in the inveruglas group of Paravelia Breddin, 1898 and four new species from Colombia: A. altoandina Molano & Morales, A. antioquia Molano & Morales, A. montana Molano & Morales, and A. quindiana Molano & Morales. Additionally, A. amoena (Drake, 1957) is synonymized with A. flavomarginata (Hungerford, 1930). The genus is characterized by prominent setal tufts or sclerotized wing-like processes on the male proctiger; elongate body shape with long, slender legs; uniformly blackish forewings; antennal segment I longest; and the female abdomen with tergum VIII deflexed. Species in this genus occur at high elevations in the Andes Mountains with records from 1500 to 3600 m. A key is provided to all 11 species in the genus and new distributional records are presented for A. boliviana (Breddin, 1898), A. columbiensis (Hungerford, 1930), and A. flavomarginata.
Water striders of the genus Rhagovelia Mayr, 1865 (Insecta: Hemiptera: Veliidae) have colonized the water surface mainly in lotic freshwater systems, but also in coastal marine environments. They are characterized by the swimming fan in the distal tarsomere of the middle leg that allows them to quickly maneuver. In the Americas, it was subdivided into four monophyletic complexes (angustipes, collaris, obesa and robusta), one paraphyletic grade (abrupta), each with several groups of species, and one additional group (varipes). However, the taxonomy of this genus still has inconsistencies due to its morphological complexity and to the misinterpretation of characters. For this reason, we present a revision of the species of the angustipes complex occurring in Colombia. Material deposited in nine biological collections was examined, including several types. A total of 3,674 specimens were studied, belonging to 26 valid species, of which R. boyacensis sp. nov., R. graziae sp. nov. and R. molanoi sp. nov., are described as new; and R. angustipes Uhler, 1894 is recorded from the country for the first time. Furthermore, eleven species are redescribed and twelve are considered synonyms. Finally, a key to the species of the angustipes complex occurring in Colombia is presented, as well as updated distribution maps.
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