Novochares
Girón & Short, 2021
water scavenger beetles
Species Guides
1- Novochares sallaei(water scavenger beetle)
Novochares is a of water scavenger beetles (Hydrophilidae: Acidocerinae) erected in 2021 to accommodate New World previously placed in Helochares. The genus contains 52 described species distributed across the entire Neotropical region from Mexico to Argentina, including Caribbean islands. Species circumscription relies heavily on male due to relatively homogeneous external characteristics. An integrative taxonomic approach combining morphology with COI and 28S sequence data was used to delimit species boundaries.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Novochares: /noʊvoʊˈkɛəriz/
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Identification
Identification to level depends primarily on examination of male ; external morphology is relatively homogeneous across species. Identification of unassociated females is strongly discouraged due to diagnostic limitations. The was separated from the Old World genus Helochares based on molecular and morphological data.
Images
Habitat
Aquatic environments; specific microhabitat requirements vary by but generally associated with freshwater systems.
Distribution
Entire Neotropical region from Mexico to Argentina, including Caribbean islands. Novochares sallaei occurs in Florida, USA, where it is considered native rather than introduced.
Similar Taxa
- HelocharesNovochares was erected to accommodate New World previously placed in Helochares; the latter is now restricted to Old World species. Separation based on molecular and morphological data.