An initial survey of aquatic and semi-aquatic Heteroptera (Insecta) from the Cardamom Mountains and adjacent uplands of southwestern Cambodia, with descriptions of four new species

Abstract

Previous collections of aquatic Heteroptera from Cambodia have been limited, and the biota of the country has remained essentially undocumented until the past several years. Recent surveys of aquatic Heteroptera in the Cardamom Mountains and adjacent Kirirom and Bokor plateaus of southwestern Cambodia, coupled with previous literature records, demonstrate that 11 families, 35 genera, and 68 species of water bugs occur in this area. These collections include 13 genus records and 37 species records newly listed for the country of Cambodia. The following four new species are described based on these recent surveys: Amemboa cambodiana n. sp. (Gerridae); Microvelia penglyi n. sp., Microvelia setifera n. sp. and Microvelia bokor n. sp. (all Veliidae). Based on an updated checklist provided herein, the aquatic Heteroptera biota of Cambodia as currently known consists of 78 species, and has an endemism rate of 7.7%, although these numbers should be considered provisional pending further sampling.