Nartus sinuatus
(LeConte, 1862)
Nartus sinuatus is a predaceous diving beetle in the Dytiscidae, found in North America. The was transferred from the Rhantus to Nartus based on phylogenetic revisions. It is a small to medium-sized aquatic with distinctive morphological features useful for identification.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Nartus sinuatus: /ˈnɑːr.tʊs sɪˈnjuː.eɪ.təs/
These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.
Identification
Distinguished from similar diving beetles by the arched margin of the pronotum immediately to the hind angles. Formerly placed in Rhantus, now separated based on morphological and molecular characters.
Appearance
Body black with dark legs. margin of pronotum distinctly arched just before the hind angles.
Habitat
Aquatic environments; specific microhabitat preferences not well documented.
Distribution
North America.
Ecological Role
Predaceous diving beetles are generally aquatic , though specific ecological role of this is not documented.
Similar Taxa
- Rhantus speciesFormerly classified in this ; N. sinuatus separated based on pronotal shape and other morphological characters.
- Other Nartus speciesShare -level characters; N. sinuatus distinguished by the arched pronotal margin and dark leg coloration.