Laccomimus

Toledo & Michat, 2015

Species Guides

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Laccomimus is a of small diving beetles in the Dytiscidae, Laccophilinae, described in 2015 from specimens previously misidentified as Laccodytes. The genus contains twelve distributed across the Neotropics, with one species reaching Florida, USA. Species are remarkably uniform in body shape, size, and coloration, making identification dependent on examination of male genitalia. The genus appears to be sister to the Oriental genus Laccosternus based on shared morphological characters.

Laccomimus pumilio by (c) Matthew Pintar, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Matthew Pintar. Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Laccomimus: /ˌlak.kəˈmaɪ.məs/

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Identification

Distinguished from the superficially similar Neotropical Laccodytes by characters of the female genital structures and shape of the prosternal process. Similar to the Oriental genus Laccosternus in body size and shape, female genital structures, and prosternal process shape. -level identification requires examination of male genitalia due to morphological uniformity.

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Habitat

Associated with lentic (still-water) in tropical environments.

Distribution

Widespread across most of the Neotropics, from tropical South America northward to Florida, USA. Documented from Brazil (Amazonas, São Paulo, Pará states), Colombia (Amazonas, Arauca, Magdalena departments), and elsewhere in tropical America. generally have wide distributional ranges, though a few are restricted to more limited areas.

Similar Taxa

  • LaccodytesFormerly misidentified as Laccomimus; similar in size but not closely related; distinguished by female genital structures and prosternal process shape.
  • LaccosternusAppears to be sister ; shares similar body size and shape, female genital structures, and prosternal process shape; Oriental distribution contrasts with Neotropical Laccomimus.

More Details

Taxonomic History

The was erected in 2015 based on specimens from various collections that had been misidentified as members of Laccodytes. The type is Laccomimus pumilio (LeConte, 1878), transferred from Laccodytes.

Species Diversity

Twelve are recognized: L. pumilio (the only previously described species, transferred from Laccodytes), and eleven species described as new in the description: L. alvarengi, L. amazonas, L. bolivari, L. bordoni, L. distinctus, L. improvidus, L. malkini, L. spangleri, L. spinosus, L. variegatus, and L. youngi. A thirteenth species, L. xikrin, was described in 2016 from Brazil.

Sources and further reading