Ambrysus hybridus

Montandon, 1897

Ambrysus hybridus is a of creeping water bug ( Naucoridae, Cryphocricinae) found in running streams from the southwestern United States to southern Mexico. It has the widest distribution of any species in the A. hybridus , which includes nine species united by features of male genitalia and associated structures. Two species, A. tridentatus and A. woodburyi, have been synonymized under A. hybridus.

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

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Ambrysus hybridus: /æmˈbrɪsəs haɪˈbrɪdəs/

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Identification

Belongs to the Ambrysus hybridus , distinguished from related by features of male genitalia and structures associated with male and female genitalia. As a member of the creeping water bugs (Cryphocricinae), it likely exhibits the characteristic round, flat, saucer-like body shape typical of this group.

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Habitat

Running streams. As an aquatic insect in the Naucoridae, it inhabits freshwater lotic environments.

Distribution

Southwestern United States to southern Mexico. Has the widest distribution of any in the A. hybridus complex. Most other species in this complex are restricted to Mexico.

Similar Taxa

Ambrysus thermarumAlso in the A. hybridus , but restricted to the United States (unlike A. hybridus which extends to southern Mexico)
Ambrysus convexusMember of the same , occurs only in Mexico
Ambrysus lariversiNewly described from Mexico in the same complex, distinguished by male genitalia features

More Details

Taxonomic History

Ambrysus hybridus was originally described by Montandon in 1897. A lectotype has been designated for this . Two previously described species, A. tridentatus La Rivers and A. woodburyi Usinger, have been synonymized under A. hybridus based on morphological analysis.

Species Complex

The A. hybridus comprises nine : A. convexus, A. fuscus, A. hybridus, A. lattini, A. plautus, A. spiculus, A. thermarum, A. ultimus, and A. lariversi n. sp. Most species in this complex are Mexican endemics.