New Liodessus species from the high Andes of Peru (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae, Bidessini)

Abstract

We describe four new species of the diving beetle genus Liodessus Guignot from the high Andean regions of Peru: Liodessus alpinus sp. nov. from Junín, L. hauthi sp. nov. from Huánuco and Churubamba, L. rhigos sp. nov. from Junín, and L. thespesios sp. nov. from Cusco. We delineate the species using morphological structures and provide a 5’ mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase 1 database on the Barcode of Life Data System (BOLD). We also provide taxonomic notes on Liodessus acollensis Guignot, 1955 and L. andinus Guignot, 1957, described from the high Andes of Peru and Bolivia. These species occur at higher altitudes above 3,400 m and up to 4,900 m, and were collected in shallow, exposed peatland pools and puddles, mostly in steppes and high Andean Puna. The known distribution and habitat preferences of each species are outlined briefly.

Eastern Colombian Páramo Liodessus Guignot, 1939 diving beetles are genetically structured, but show signs of hybridization, with description of new species and subspecies (Coleoptera, Dytiscidae)

“…They are typically smaller than 3 mm and inhabit a variety of mainly lotic habitats. Andean species reach altitudes of nearly 5,000 m, where they are the most abundant aquatic beetles ( Balke et al 2020a , b ).…”

“…Since 2019, as the result of research and training cooperation between our institutions, we regularly provide updates on the high-altitude fauna (e.g. Megna et al 2019 ; Balke et al 2020a , b ). It has become apparent that many more new species of Liodessus remain to be discovered in the vast Andean highland ecosystems; most of these undiscovered species are likely endemic to one or a few Páramo or Puna areas.…”

A new Colombian species of Liodessus diving beetles from the Páramo de Sumapaz (Coleoptera, Dytiscidae, Bidessini)

“…They are typically smaller than 3 mm and inhabit a variety of mainly lotic habitats. Andean species reach altitudes of nearly 5,000 m, where they are the most abundant aquatic beetles (Balke et al 2020a(Balke et al , 2020b.…”