Water Beetles of the Genus Suphisellus Crotch in the Americas North of Colombia (Coleoptera: Noteridae)

Abstract

The species and subspecies of Suphisellus Crotch (Coleoptera: Noteridae) occurring north of Colombia are discussed, and keys and figures given for their identification. The following new names, synonyms, or new combinations are suggested: Suphisellus neglectus n. sp. (Colombia, Panama, Guatemala); S. lineatus (Horn) covers S. centralis (Sharp), S. mexicanus (Sharp), and S. lineatus (Wehncke, not Horn), new synonyms; S. insularis (Sharp) covers S. simplex (Sharp), S. similaris (Sharp), and S. floridanus (Blatchley), new synonyms; S. rufipes (Sharp) is considered a synonym of S. nigrinus (Aube); S. punctipennis (Sharp) is reduced to a subspecies of S. bicolor (Say) producing two new combinations, S. bicolor bicolor (Say) and S. bicolor punctipennis (Sharp); S. gibbulus (Aube) is redefined and lectoholotype and lectoallotype designated. Lectotypes are designated for other species where appropriate. The genus Suphisellus (Coleoptera: Noteridae) is clearly defined by the following set of characters: protibial spurs present, strong, curved, conspicuous; hind femora with angular cilia (setae or spurs); prosternal process broad, truncate (squarely cut off) behind; apex of prostemal process at least twice its breadth between the anterior coxae, but not broader than long; laminate inner plates of hind coxae with a broad and deep angular excision at the posterior end, leaving on either side a diverging triangular process; hind coxal cavities contiguous; last segment of maxillary palpus emarginate at its apex; pronotum with lateral marginal lines originating at hind angle on either side, diverging toward the middle of margin, and disappearing at about the middle; total length about 1.9 to slightly more than 4 mm. Most of the species of Suphisellus are highly polished on the dorsum so that they appear shining between any larger punctures present, but a few are so densely punctate or have the microsculpture so strongly incised that they appear matte rather than shining. The Old World genus Canthydrus is morphologically very similar,