Platyvelia brachialis
(Stål, 1860)
smaller water strider
Platyvelia brachialis is a of small water strider in the Veliidae, distinguished from larger members of the related family Gerridae by its more compact body form. It inhabits freshwater surface across a broad Neotropical and Nearctic range spanning the Caribbean, Central America, North America, and South America. The species is one of approximately 15 recognized species in the Platyvelia.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Platyvelia brachialis: //ˌplætɪˈviːliə brəˈkaɪəlɪs//
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Identification
Members of Veliidae are distinguished from the larger water striders (Gerridae) by their smaller body size and relatively shorter legs. Within Platyvelia, P. brachialis can be recognized by its broad distribution pattern across the Americas; however, definitive -level identification requires examination of genitalic structures and should be confirmed against regional keys. The name Platyvelia refers to the somewhat flattened body profile compared to some other veliid genera.
Images
Habitat
Freshwater surface including ponds, slow-moving streams, and marshy margins where individuals skate on the water surface film.
Distribution
Widespread across the Neotropics and southern Nearctic: Caribbean Sea islands, Central America, North America (southern United States), and South America. Documented from numerous Brazilian states including Alagoas, Bahia, Ceará, Espírito Santo, Goiás, Maranhão, Minas Gerais, Mato Grosso do Sul, Mato Grosso, Pará, Pernambuco, Piauí, Rio de Janeiro, Rio Grande do Norte, Roraima, Santa Catarina, Sergipe, and São Paulo.
Similar Taxa
- Gerridae (water striders)Larger body size and proportionally longer legs; Gerridae generally exceed Veliidae in length and leg span.
- Other Platyvelia speciesApproximately 15 in the ; accurate differentiation requires examination of male genitalia and regional taxonomic keys.
More Details
Taxonomic history
First described by Carl Stål in 1860, this has maintained stable though the -level classification of Gerromorpha has undergone refinement.