A new species of the Hydroporus planus-group from northern Morocco with close affinities to H. analis Aubé, 1838 and H. decipiens Sharp, 1878 (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae: Hydroporinae)

Abstract

Summary Hydroporus bertrandi n. sp. is described from the Rif Mountains of northern Morocco. It is a member of the Hydroporus planus-group with close affinities to H. analis Aubé, 1838 and H. decipiens Sharp, 1878, as evidenced by the strongly rugose ventral abdominal surface. The new species differs from these close relatives mainly by larger size, finer punctation on the elytra and metacoxal plates, different sculpture on the lateral parts of the metaventrite, and the different shape of the median lobe of aedeagus. Illustrations of dorsal habitus, parts of the ventral surface and male genitalia are provided for the three species. Environmental characteristics of the habitats where H. bertrandi n. sp. was sampled in the Rif are described and illustrated and a distribution map of the species is provided. Analysis of a partial CO1 alignment shows that H. bertrandi n. sp. is more closely related to H. analis than to H. decipiens; furthermore, a publicly available CO1 barcode points to the presence of H. bertrandi n. sp. or a closely related species in Tunisia. Additional notes are provided concerning the variability of H. analis and H. decipiens and external morphological features helpful to distinguish these two species.