Ephemeral-habitats

Guides

• Copelatinae

  copelatine diving beetles

  Copelatinae is a subfamily of predaceous diving beetles (Dytiscidae) comprising seven genera: Agaporomorphus, Aglymbus, Copelatus, Exocelina, Lacconectus, Liopterus, and Madaglymbus. The genus Copelatus is the largest with approximately 470 described species worldwide, showing greatest diversity in tropical South America, Africa, and Southeast Asia. Members are predominantly aquatic, though some species have colonized highly ephemeral habitats including forest floor depressions. The subfamily exhibits remarkable morphological diversity and includes phylogenetically isolated lineages such as the South African genus Capelatus.

  Dytiscidaediving-beetlesaquatic-beetlesColeopteraAdephagafreshwatertropical-biodiversityMadagascarNew-GuineaSouth-AfricaAustraliaphylogenetic-relictsendemismconservationlight-attractionephemeral-habitatslenticlotic