Hydroscaphidae

J.L. LeConte, 1874

skiff beetles

Genus Guides

Hydroscapha

is a small of water beetles in the suborder Myxophaga, commonly known as . The family contains approximately 23 as of 2010, distributed across four . These beetles are highly specialized for life in thin films of water over algal surfaces.

Hydroscapha by (c) David R. Maddison, some rights reserved (CC BY). Used under a CC-BY license.

Hydroscapha natans01 by David R. Maddison. Used under a CC BY 2.5 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Hydroscaphidae: /haɪdrəˈskæfɪdiː/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

Distinguished from other water beetles by abbreviated that expose multiple abdominal tergites, and wings with conspicuously long setal fringes. The small size (under 2 mm) and association with algal mats in thin water films further separate them from superficially similar . Larvae are with wide and narrowing .

Images

Habitat

Mats of with a thin layer of running water, including accumulated algae lining stream edges. Tolerates wide temperature range, from hot springs to icy snowmelt. Described as hygropetric in some sources.

Distribution

Reported from every continent except Antarctica. distributed as follows: Hydroscapha in United States and Europe; Scaphydra in Brazil; Yara in South and Central America; Confossa in South America; Hydroscapha andringitra described from Madagascar (Fianarantsoa region).

Diet

forming the mats on which they live.

Life Cycle

Reproductive cycle poorly known. In at least one , female lays single large on algal mat. Larvae are with wide and narrowing .

Similar Taxa

TorridincolidaeAlso myxophagan water beetles in hygropetric , but distinguished by complete covering and different larval
SphaeriusidaeSmall myxophagan beetles, but have rounded body form and complete , lacking the abbreviated elytra and exposed tergites of

More Details

Taxonomic recency

Several have been described recently, including Hydroscapha andringitra from Madagascar (2015) and multiple new species in the Incoltorrida (Torridincolidae, sometimes confused with in literature). composition has been relatively stable with 23 species recognized as of 2010.

Associated organisms

Specimens of related myxophagan beetles (Incoltorrida madagassica) have been observed with peritrich ciliates of the Platycola Kent attached, though this specific association has not been documented for itself.