Rhithrops capensis gen. et sp. nov. is described from the Matjies River, in the Cedeberg range of the Western Cape Province, South Africa. The new genus is apparently related to the South African endemic genera Rapnus Grouvelle, 1899 and Strina Redtenbacher, 1867, but exhibits a number of distinct character states, including gibbosities outside the sublateral pronotal furrows and a transversely upturned labral apex, unique within the family. Rhithrops gen. nov. was collected from around the roots of aquatic plants in fast flowing deep water runs, as well as being sampled in nocturnal drift nets. The new species has relatively long legs and well-developed tarsal claws, and appears to be adapted to an entirely aquatic, benthic existence. A revised key is provided to the dryopid genera of South Africa.
The Chilean water penny genus Tychepsephus Waterhouse, 1876 is revised, with descriptions and photographic illustrations of life stages including two larval morphotypes, the pupa of one morphotype, and adults of two species. The pupa of Tychepsephus has not been reported previously. Tychepsephus cekalovicisp. nov. is described, and Ectopria (Chilectopria) grandis Pic, 1947, syn. nov. is proposed as a new synonym of Tychepsephus felix Waterhouse, 1876, which is redescribed. Taxonomic treatment of the adults of both species includes images of the habitus of males and females, morphological variation, and male and female genitalia. Males and females are sexually dimorphic. Information on the habitat of Tychepsephus is provided and illustrated with photographs, and the known geographic distribution of the two species is mapped. The occurrence of Tychepsephus in Argentina is reported; therefore, the genus no longer can be considered endemic to Chile. The taxonomic status and geographic distribution in South America of other species of Psephenidae, particularly members of the subfamily Eubriinae, is reviewed.
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