Arthropod Systematics & Phylogeny 74(2): 177-193, doi: 10.3897/asp.74.e31850

Chaetotaxy and larval morphometry of Cercyon praetextatus (Say) and C. quisquilius (Linnaeus) (Coleoptera: Hydrophilidae: Sphaeridiinae) and their phylogenetic implications

Miguel Archangelsky^‡

‡ Centro de Investigación Esquel de Montaña y Estepa Patagónica, Esquel, Argentina

Corresponding author: Miguel Archangelsky ( hydrophilinae@gmail.com )

This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

Citation:

Abstract

The primary and secondary chaetotaxy of the head capsule and head appendages of the three larval instars of Cercyon praetextatus (Say, 1825) and Cercyon quisquilius (Linnaeus, 1761) are described for the first time. Morphometric characters derived from the head capsule and mouthparts are also included, together with detailed illustrations of all characters. Morphology and chaetotaxy of these larvae is compared to that of Cercyon convexiusculus Stephens, 1829. Comparison of character states with other larvae of the tribes Megasternini, Coelostomatini, Protosternini and Shaeridiini confirms a well supported Megasternini, and a close relationship between Megasternini and Sphaeridiini.

Keywords

Hydrophilidae, Sphaeridiinae, water scavenger beetles, larva, head, primary chaetotaxy, morphology, phylogeny.