| Caccothryptus | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Coleoptera |
| Family: | Limnichidae |
| Subfamily: | Limnichinae |
| Genus: | Caccothryptus Sharp, 1902 |
| Type species | |
| C. compactus | |
| Diversity | |
| 35 species | |
Caccothryptus is a genus of minute marsh-loving beetle in the subfamily Limnichinae. The genus was first described by entomologist David Sharp in 1902, with C. compactus as the type species.
Caccothryptus is a genus of Limnichinae, a subfamily of the minute marsh-loving beetles (Limnichidae). Within Limnichinae it belongs to the "Mandersia group" of genera, alongside the much smaller Euthryptus, Mandersia, Pseudothryptus , Resachus, and Simplocarina . These genera share a number of physical features, such as a non-articulated aedeagus (male reproductive organ) without an articulated internal piece ("spiculum") within the median lobe; this distinguishes the genera from the Byrrhinus . [1] The Afrotropical genera Tricholimnichus and Cyclolimnichus are close relatives of the Mandersia group, but lack some distinguishing characteristics in the pronotum. [2]
In 1902, entomologist David Sharp described Caccothryptus compactus (found in Martapura, Borneo) in an article in the Entomologist's Monthly Magazine . He described the species as the "largest and most remarkable of the Limnichini" and noted their close resemblance to the Central American genus Euthryptus. Caccothryptus was the first described Limnichinae genus native to Asia. [3] [4]
In 1922 and 1923, Maurice Pic described a new genus he termed Macrobyrrhinus, and placed in it four species of Limnichinae. Harry George Champion considered this genus a synonym of Caccothryptus, in a paper describing three additional species. Pic disregarded Champion's synonymy and placed more species in Macrobyrrhinus in 1928; however, it is now accepted as a synonym. In 2005, Carles Hernando and Ignacio Ribera reclassified one species described by Champion, C. multiseriatus, into a new genus dubbed Pseudothryptus. [4]
Nine years later, Hernando and Ribera published a major redescription and organization of the genus. Previously grouped as seven species, it was reorganized into twenty species in five species groups, classified by similarities in genital shape and some external features. This 2014 revision also classified one of Champion's species, C. laosensis, as a synonym of C. maculosus. [5]
As of 2021, fourteen new species of Caccothryptus have been identified since the 2014 redescription, all within the compactus and testudo subgroups. The current number of 35 species is likely to increase further, due to a relative lack of studies and material on Asian Limnichidae. Many species are only known from a tiny number of specimens within a small area. [6] [7]
| Group name | Anterior claws (male) | Sternite pores (male) | Median lobe of aedeagus | Parameres | Species | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| compactus | Dissimilar | On 4th sternite | Full longitudinal sulcus | Separated | C. abboti , C. chayuensis , C. compactus , C. larryi , C. maculosus , C. schillhammeri, C. schuhi , C. sulawesianus , C. thai | [8] [9] [10] |
| rouyeri | Similar | On 4th sternite | Lateral expansions, partial longitudinal sulcus | Fused | C. rouyeri | [8] |
| testudo | Similar | On 4th sternite | No lateral expansions, denticle, or longitudinal sulcus | Separated | C. arakawae, C. auratus, C. brendelli, C. championi, C. chayuensis, C. fujianensis, C. jendeki, C. malickyi, C. nepalensis, C. occidentalis, C. orion, C. punctatus, C. ripicola, C. sinensis, C. taiwanus, C. tardarsauceae, C. testudo, C. tibetanus, C. yunnanensis | [8] [6] [9] [10] [11] |
| jaechi | Similar | On 4th and 5th sternites | Denticle on underside, partial longitudinal sulcus | (varies) | C. jaechi , C. nanus , C. ticaoensis , C. wooldridgei | [8] |
| zetteli | Similar | On 4th and 5th sternites | partial longitudinal sulcus | (varies) | C. luzonensis , C. zetteli | [8] |
Caccothryptus beetles range from 2.5 to 5.5 mm in total length. They have ovloid bodies, ranging from brown to black in color, covered in both long and short layers of setae. The head is slightly retracted into the pronotum, with long and narrow eleven-segment antennae covered in short setae. The underside of the abdomens (ventrum) has deep depressions where the long, slender legs connect with the body. Sexual dimorphism is relatively minimal; males of the compactus species have dissimilar anterior claws. Under a microscope, males of all Caccothryptus species have microscopic glandular pores along the central portion of their 4th sternite, while the jaechi and zetteli groups also have these on the 5th. [12]
They generally live in forests, inside piles of water-logged dead wood adjacent to small streams. They are most often collected using light traps. [12]
Caccothryptus species have been found across Southeast Asia, and portions of East Asia and the Indian subcontinent, including the Andaman Islands. Many species are known from a single location, although some (most notably C. maculosus) have been found across a wide swath of territory. The jaechi, zetelli, and rouyeri species groups are only found in Maritime Southeast Asia, while the testudo group is limited to the mainland. Only the compactus group stretches across both. [13] [7]
Agabus is a large genus of predatory aquatic beetles in the family Dytiscidae, proposed in 1817 by William Elford Leach and named after Agabus, an early follower of Christianity. The adult beetles are moderate-sized, 5 to 14 mm long. The genus is primarily Holarctic in distribution, with only a few species known from the Afrotropical and Neotropical realms. Three species of Agabus, namely A. clypealis, A. discicollis and A. hozgargantae are endangered according to the IUCN Red List. The division into subgenera is not widely accepted. However, a number of species groups are recognized after the works of David J. Larson and Anders N. Nilsson. The genus is probably polyphyletic or paraphyletic. In a recent study of mitochondrial DNA, Agabus was found paraphyletic with respect to several of the species groups of Platambus, a closely related genus in the tribe Agabini. Lately the taxonomy of the genus has been revised, and some groups of species were transferred from Agabussensu stricto to other genera in the tribe Agabini.
Hydrochus is the only living genus of beetle in the family Hydrochidae, which belongs to the superfamily Hydrophiloidea, and was formerly treated as a subfamily of Hydrophilidae. Hydrochus includes about 180 species, which are found worldwide. The name "Hydrochus" has also been used for a fly genus in the family Dolichopodidae, but this is a junior subjective synonym of the genus Rhaphium.
Helochares is a genus of water scavenger beetles in the family Hydrophilidae, represented by 161 described species. It is distributed across the Afrotropical, Australasian, Indo-Malayan, Nearctic, and Palearctic realms.
Limnichidae, commonly called minute marsh-loving beetles, is a family of beetles belonging to Byrrhoidea. There are at least 30 genera and 350 described species in Limnichidae. They are found worldwide, with the greatest diversity in tropical regions. Most species seem to be associated with water-adjacent habitats, such as riparian and coastal locations, though many species are likely fully terrestrial, with some species being associated with leaf litter and arboreal habitats. Species with known diets feed on moss or algae. The oldest fossils of the family are known from mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber from Myanmar.
Eulimnichus is a genus of minute marsh-loving beetles in the family Limnichidae. There are more than 30 described species in Eulimnichus.
Nosodendron is a genus of wounded-tree beetles in the family Nosodendridae. There are more than 70 described species in Nosodendron.
Oulimnius is a genus of riffle beetles in the family Elmidae. There are about 15 described species in Oulimnius.
Heterlimnius is a genus of riffle beetles in the family Elmidae. There are about 16 described species in Heterlimnius.
Limnichites is a genus of minute marsh-loving beetles in the family Limnichidae. There are about 15 described species in Limnichites.
Limnichinae is a subfamily of minute marsh-loving beetles in the family Limnichidae. There are more than 20 genera and 330 described species in Limnichinae.
Ignacio “Nacho” Ribera Galán was a Spanish entomologist who authored 104 species, 16 genera, 3 subgenera, and 1 family of beetles, along with two species of worms (Nematomorpha).
Stenometopiini is a tribe of leafhoppers in the subfamily Deltocephalinae. It contains 8 genera and around 100 species. The members of Stenometopiini are widespread and have a cosmopolitan distribution.
Agraphydrus is a genus of water scavenger beetle in the family Hydrophilidae represented by 205 described species. It is distributed across the Afrotropical, Australasian, and Indomalayan realms.
Caccothryptus larryi is a species of minute marsh-loving beetle in the subfamily Limnichinae. The species was described alongside five other Caccothryptus species by Natural History Museum entomologist Keita Matsumoto in 2021, using specimens gathered in 1953 by Harry George Champion in Haldwani, India. Both of the c. larryi specimens featured genital structures distinct from Champion's initial classification of C. ripicola. The species was named for Larry, the Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office at the British Prime Minister's residence at 10 Downing Street.
Caccothryptus tardarsauceae is a species of minute marsh-loving beetle in the subfamily Limnichinae. The species was described alongside five other Caccothryptus species by Natural History Museum entomologist Keita Matsumoto in 2021, using a male specimen gathered in 1953 by Harry George Champion in Haldwani, India. One of Champion's specimens was distinguished from its initial classification of C. ripicola due to distinct genital structures. The species was named for Tardar Sauce, also known as Grumpy Cat, a pet cat which had become an internet celebrity prior to her death in 2019.
Caccothryptus arakawae is a species of minute marsh-loving beetle in the subfamily Limnichinae. The species was described alongside five other Caccothryptus species by Natural History Museum entomologist Keita Matsumoto in 2021, using specimens gathered by Martin J. D. Brendell at Kathmandu, Nepal in 1983. Six of Brendell's specimens were distinguished from its initial classification of Caccothryptus testudo due to distinct genital structures. The species was named for Hiromu Arakawa, the creator of manga series Fullmetal Alchemist.
Caccothryptus brendelli is a species of minute marsh-loving beetle in the subfamily Limnichinae. The species was described alongside five other Caccothryptus species by Natural History Museum entomologist Keita Matsumoto in 2021, using specimens gathered by Martin J. D. Brendell at Kathmandu, Nepal in 1983. One of Brendell's specimens were distinguished from Caccothryptus testudo due to distinct genital structures and labeled C. brendelli after Brendell.
Caccothryptus championi is a species of minute marsh-loving beetle in the subfamily Limnichinae. The species was described alongside five other Caccothryptus species by Natural History Museum entomologist Keita Matsumoto in 2021, using specimens gathered in 1953 by Harry George Champion in Haldwani, India alongside an earlier 1925 specimen collected nearby. Like the other Caccothryptus species described by Matsumoto, it was distinguished from its original classification of C. ripicola due to differences in the shape of its genitalia. Twenty-seven specimens from the British Natural History Museum collection were identified with C. championi, named after Champion.
Caccothryptus abboti is a species of minute marsh-loving beetle in the subfamily Limnichinae. The species was described alongside five other Caccothryptus species by Natural History Museum entomologist Keita Matsumoto in 2021, using specimens gathered in 1953 by Harry George Champion in Haldwani, India alongside an earlier 1925 specimen collected nearby. Like the other Caccothryptus species described by Matsumoto, it was distinguished from its original classification of C. testudo due to differences in the shape of its genitalia. One specimen collected by Champion was identified as the holotype for C. abboti and named for English radio presenter Nick Abbot.
Caccothryptus yunnanensis is a species of minute marsh-loving beetle in the subfamily Limnichinae. The species was described in 2018 by enomologist Hiroyuki Yoshitomi. Although part of the species group C. testudo, it is related to the C. compactus species C. chayuensis) and C. thai due to serrae due to their shared small notches along the median lobe. It is distinguished from these due to its straight parameres, which are curved in C. chayuensis and C. thai. C. yunnanensis specimens were collected by Yu-Tang Wang across the Chinese provinces of Guizhou and Yunnan, the latter of which gave the species its name. It is almost entirely black in coloration, except for dark and light brown in its antennae and legs. It has an average length of around 5 mm. The holotype of C. yunnanensis is a male collected in Xima, Yunnan, in 2014.