A revision of the Lutrochidae (Coleoptera) of Venezuela, with description of six new species.

The species of Lutrochidae occurring in Venezuela are revised. The only previously recorded species, Lutrochus acuminatus Grouvelle, is redescribed and a lectotype is designated. Lutrochus vestitus Sharp, is recorded from Venezuela and French Guiana for the first time. Six new species Lutrochus gustafsoni n. sp., L. cauraensis n. sp., L. maldonadoi n. sp., L. meridaensis n. sp., L. minutus n. sp., and L. violaceus n. sp. are described. Notes on habitat and habits for most species are provided, as well as a key to the eight species of Lutrochidae occurring in Venezuela. The family is reported from hygropetric habitats for the first time.

A high-throughput multispectral imaging system for museum specimens.

We present an economical imaging system with integrated hardware and software to capture multispectral images of Lepidoptera with high efficiency. This method facilitates the comparison of colors and shapes among species at fine and broad taxonomic scales and may be adapted for other insect orders with greater three-dimensionality. Our system can image both the dorsal and ventral sides of pinned specimens. Together with our processing pipeline, the descriptive data can be used to systematically investigate multispectral colors and shapes based on full-wing reconstruction and a universally applicable ground plan that objectively quantifies wing patterns for species with different wing shapes (including tails) and venation systems. Basic morphological measurements, such as body length, thorax width, and antenna size are automatically generated. This system can increase exponentially the amount and quality of trait data extracted from museum specimens.

Phanoceroides Hinton, 1939: description of new species, morphology of larvae, and revised taxonomic position of the genus (Coleoptera: Elmidae) based on molecular evidence.

The monotypic genus Phanoceroides was initially classified within the subfamily Elminae, based solely on the distribution and type of pubescence on the body surface. Although a close relationship with Larainae was suggested (Hinton 1939, Maier 2013), its taxonomic position and phylogeny remained unresolved. Based on newly collected material, we describe here P. fernandesi sp. n. and document morphological characters and differences of adults and larvae of P. aquaticus Hinton, 1939 and P. fernandesi sp. n. To clarify the taxonomic position of Phanoceroides within Elmidae, we used molecular data (cox1 and mtDNA). The results support position of the genus within the subfamily Larainae with Hypsilara Maier & Spangler, 2011 as a close relative.

Review of the Lutrochidae (Coleoptera) of the Guianas and Lesser Antilles, with description of four new species.

The species of Lutrochidae from the Guianas, and the Lesser Antilles are reviewed, including the first reports of the family from Guyana, Suriname, and Grenada. Four species are described as new: Lutrochus funkae n. sp. and L. wao n. sp. from Guyana and French Guiana, L. grenadensis n. sp. from Grenada, and L. leeanneae n. sp. from Suriname. Photographs, genitalia illustrations, and distribution maps are provided for all species, and habitat photos and notes are presented for the species for which they are available.

Hexanchorus bifurcatus sp. nov., a new tepui riffle beetle (Coleoptera: Elmidae: Larainae) from Tafelberg, Suriname.

Here we present the first published record of a laraine elmid from Suriname, which represents a new species - Hexanchorus bifurcatus sp. nov. Specimens were collected from the summit of Tafelberg, a table mountain near the Wilhelmina Range of Suriname. This species can be distinguished from all other Hexanchorus by the bifurcate elytral apices and median projection of the third abdominal ventrite of the female, as well as the distinctive male genitalia. Habitus photos, illustrations of the genitalia, a distribution map, notes on habitat, and comparative diagnoses are provided. 

A revision of the Larainae (Coleoptera, Elmidae) of Venezuela, with description of nine new species.

The species of the riffle beetle subfamily Larainae occurring in Venezuela are revised. Examination of 756 specimens yielded 22 species in nine genera occurring throughout the country. Seven species are newly recorded from the country: Phanoceroides sp. 1, Phanocerus clavicornis Sharp, 1882, Phanocerus congener Grouvelle, 1898, Pharceonus volcanus Spangler & Santiago-Fragoso, 1992, Disersus dasycolus Spangler & Santiago-Fragoso, 1992, Disersus chibcha Spangler & Santiago-Fragoso, 1987, and Disersus inca Spangler & Santiago-Fragoso, 1992. Nine species are found to be new to science, which are here described: Hexanchorus dentitibialis sp. n., H. falconensis sp. n., H. flintorum sp. n., H. homaeotarsoides sp. n., H. inflatus sp. n., Phanocerus rufus sp. n., Pharceonus grandis sp. n., Pharceonus ariasi sp. n., Potamophilops bostrychophallus sp. n. Additionally, a key to species, distribution maps, and photographs and genitalia illustrations are provided for all species.

Los escarabajos de la subfamilia Larainae de Venezuela son revisados. Se examinaron 756 especimenes, se reportan 22 especies en nueve géneros. Siete especies son nuevos registros para el pais ­ Phanoceroides sp. 1, Phanocerus clavicornis Sharp, 1882, Phanocerus congener Grouvelle, 1898, Pharceonus volcanus Spangler & Santiago-Fragoso, 1992, Disersus dasycolus Spangler & Santiago-Fragoso, 1992, Disersus chibcha Spangler & Santiago-Fragoso, 1987, y Disersus inca Spangler & Santiago-Fragoso, 1992. Se describen nueve especies nuevas ­ Hexanchorus dentitibialissp. n., H. falconensissp. n., H. flintorumsp. n., H. homaeotarsoidessp. n., H. inflatussp. n., Phanocerus rufussp. n., Pharceonus grandissp. n., Pharceonus ariasisp. n., Potamophilops bostrychophallussp. n. Adicionalmente se presenta, una clave para las especies, mapas de distribución son presentadas. Fotografías e ilustraciones genitales se proporcionan para todas las especies.

Hypsilara royi gen. n. and sp. n. (Coleoptera, Elmidae, Larainae) from Southern Venezuela, with a revised key to Larainae of the Western Hemisphere.

Here we describe a new genus, for a new species of riffle beetle, Hypsilara royigen.n. and sp. n., from the tepui Cerro de la Neblina in southern Venezuela. This new genus can be distinguished from all other laraine genera by its small size (ca. 4.5 mm) and the presence of a shallow, wide, V-shaped groove across the apical third of the pronotum. An updated key to the genera of Western Hemisphere Larainae is provided, along with information on habitat and collection methods for this taxon.