Description of Nilssondytesdiversus gen. et sp. nov. from Venezuela (Coleoptera, Adephaga, Dytiscidae, Cybistrinae).

A new genus, Nilssondytes gen. nov., is described for a unique new species, Nilssondytesdiversus sp. nov., from Venezuela. This paper corrects an inadvertent mistake in a paper by the authors (Miller et al. 2024) in which the collection of deposition of the holotype of the species was not indicated making the new species unavailable which, therefore, made the new genus unavailable. A review of the relevant parts of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature is included. Diagnostic features of the new genus and species are discussed and illustrated.

ResumenUn nuevo género, Nilssondytes gen. nov. se describe para la única nueva especie Nilssondytesdiversus sp. nov. de Venezuela. Este artículo corrige un error involuntario en un artículo de los autores (Miller et al. 2024) en el que no se indicaba la colección de depósito del holotipo de la especie, lo que hacía que la nueva especie no estuviera disponible y, por lo tanto, el nuevo género no estuviera disponible. Se incluye una revisión de las partes relevantes del Código Internacional de Nomenclatura Zoológica. Se discuten e ilustran las características diagnósticas del nuevo género y especie.

Reclassification of Cybistrinae Sharp, 1880 in the Neotropical Region (Coleoptera, Adephaga, Dytiscidae), with description of new taxa.

The classification of the Neotropical Cybistrinae Sharp, 1880 (Coleoptera: Adephaga: Dytiscidae) is extensively revised based on a phylogenetic analysis of morphological features of the group. A new genus, Nilssondytesgen. nov. is described for a unique new species, Nilssondytesdiversussp. nov. from Venezuela. The New World genus, Megadytes Sharp, 1882, with several subgenera, was found to not be monophyletic. The type species of Megadytes, Dytiscuslatus Fabricius, 1801 and the species Cybisterparvus Trémouilles, 1984 were found to be monophyletic together, and phylogenetically more closely related to Cybister Curtis, 1827 than to other species assigned to Megadytes sensu stricto, which were found to also be monophyletic. The name Megadytes is here restricted to include only Megadyteslatus and Megadytesparvus. These two species assigned to this newly restricted genus concept are reviewed and diagnosed. A new genus, Metaxydytesgen. nov., is erected to include all the other species currently assigned to Megadytes sensu stricto. The current subgenus names assigned to Megadytes, Bifurcitus Brinck, 1945, Paramegadytes Trémouilles & Bachmann, 1980, and Trifurcitus Brinck, 1945, are elevated to genus rank since they are variously paraphyletic. The two species assigned to Cybister (Neocybister) Miller, Bergsten & Whiting, 2007, Cybister (Neocybister) festae Griffini, 1895, and Cybister (Neocybister) puncticollis (Brullé, 1837) re reviewed and diagnosed with the former redescribed and its type specimens considered for the first time since its description. Another evidently new species and possible new genus, Megadytes species, IR57 (Ribera et al. 2008), from Peru, is also characterized, but not formally treated because of lack of important data for the single, partial specimen. Diagnostic features are illustrated for the entire group.

ResumenLa clasificación de Cybistrinae Sharp, 1880 neotropicales (Coleoptera: Adephaga: Dytiscidae) se revisa ampliamente con base en un análisis filogenético de características morfológicas del grupo. Un nuevo género, Nilssondytesgen. nov. se describe para la única nueva especie Nilssondytesdiversussp. nov. de Venezuela. Se encontró que el género, Megadytes Sharp, 1882, del Nuevo Mundo y con varios subgéneros, no es monofilético. Se encontró que la especie tipo de Megadytes, Dytiscuslatus Fabricius, 1801 y la especie Cybisterparvus Trémouilles, 1984 forman un grupo monofilético y filogenéticamente más estrechamente relacionado con Cybister Curtis, 1827 que con otras especies asignadas a Megadytes sensu stricto, que se encontró que también forman un grupo monofilético. El nombre Megadytes se restringe aquí para incluir solo a Megadyteslatus y Megadytesparvus. Se revisan y diagnostican estas dos especies asignadas a este nuevo concepto restringido del género. Un nuevo nombre, Metaxydytesgen. nov., se erige para incluir a todas las demás especies actualmente asignadas a Megadytes sensu stricto. Los nombres subgenéricos actuales asignados a Megadytes, Bifurcitus Brinck, 1945, Paramegadytes Trémouilles y Bachmann, 1980 y Trifurcitus Brinck, 1945, se elevan al rango de género, nuevo estado, ya que son parafiléticos de diversas formas. Se revisan y diagnostican las dos especies asignadas a Cybister (Neocybister) Miller, Bergsten y Whiting, 2007, Cybister (Neocybister) festae Griffini, 1895 y Cybister (Neocybister) puncticollis, redescribiendo la primera y considerando sus especímenes tipo por primera vez desde su descripción. Otra especie evidentemente nueva y posible nuevo género, Megadytes, IR57 (Ribera et al. 2008), de Perú, también se caracteriza, pero no se trata formalmente debido a la falta de datos importantes para el único espécimen parcial. Las características diagnósticas se ilustran para todo el grupo.

Miradessus gen. nov. from South America described for two species previously in Amarodytes Régimbart, 1900 and two new species (Arthropoda, Insecta, Coleoptera, Adephaga, Dytiscidae, Hydroporinae, Bidessini).

Miradessusgen. nov. is described for two previously described species, Amarodytespulchellus Guignot, 1955 from Colombia, with new records from Venezuela, and A.plaumanni Gschwendtner, 1935, from Brazil, and two previously unknown species, Miradessusbenisp. nov., from Bolivia and Peru, and Miradessusrikaesp. nov. from Ecuador. The genus is characterized by 1) occipital line absent; 2) basal pronotal striae present; 3) basal elytral stria absent; 4) sutural elytral stria absent; 5) transverse carina on elytral epipleuron at humeral angle absent; 6) distinct marginal bead on anterior clypeal margin absent; and 7) male median lobe deeply multilobed with a dorsal portion separate from a unilobed or bilobed ventral portion.

ResumenSe describe a Miradessusgen. nov. para dos especies previamente descriptas, Amarodytespulchellus Guignot, 1955 de Colombia, con nuevos registros de Venezuela, y A.plaumanni Gschwendtner, 1935, de Brasil, y dos especies previamente desconocidas, Miradessusbeni, sp. nov., de Bolivia y Perú, y Miradessusrikae, sp. nov., de Ecuador. El género se caracteriza por 1) línea occipital ausente; 2) estría pronotal basal presente; 3) estría elitral basal ausente; 4) estría elitral sutural ausente; 5) carena transversa en el ángulo humeral del epipleuron elitral ausente; 6) reborde marcado en el margen anterior del clípeo ausente; y 7) lóbulo medio del macho profundamente multilobado con una porción dorsal separada de una porción ventral unilobada o bilobada.

A world review of the bristle fly parasitoids of webspinners.

BACKGROUND: Dipteran parasitoids of Embioptera (webspinners) are few and extremely rare but known from all biogeographical regions except Australasia/Oceania. All belong to the fly family Tachinidae, a hyperdiverse and widespread clade of parasitoids attacking a variety of arthropod orders. RESULTS: The webspinner-parasitizing Diptera are reviewed based mostly on records from the collecting and rearing by Edward S. Ross. A new genus is erected to accommodate a new Afrotropical species, Embiophoneus rossi gen. et sp. nov. The genus Perumyia Arnaud is reviewed and a new species, Perumyia arnaudi sp. nov., is described from Central America while P. embiaphaga Arnaud is redescribed and new host records are given. A new species of Phytomyptera Rondani, P. woodi sp. nov., is described from Myanmar, representing the first report of a member of this genus obtained from webspinners. The genus Rossimyiops Mesnil is reviewed, R. longicornis (Kugler) is redescribed and R. aeratus sp. nov., R. fuscus sp. nov. and R. rutilans sp. nov. are newly described from the Oriental Region, and an updated key to species is given. CONCLUSIONS: Webspinners were probably colonized independently at least four times by tachinids shifting from other hosts, most likely Lepidoptera.

Nineteen new species of Desmopachria Babington, 1841 (Coleoptera, Adephaga, Dytiscidae, Hydroporinae, Hyphydrini) with notes on the taxonomy of the genus.

Nineteen new species of Desmopachria Babington, 1841 are described from multiple species groups. Two new species groups are erected, the Desmopachriaapicodente species group and the Desmopachriabifurcita species group. Desmopachriadivergens sp. nov. (Venezuela), Desmopachrialineata sp. nov. (Venezuela), Desmopachriasurinamensis sp. nov. (Suriname), and Desmopachriatenua sp. nov. (Guyana) are described in Desmopachria but are not assigned to a species group. Desmopachriaapicodente sp. nov. (Guyana, Venezuela), Desmopachrialateralis sp. nov. (Venezuela), and Desmopachriatumida sp. nov. (Venezuela) are described in the new Desmopachriaapicodente species group and are the only members of the group. Desmopachriabifurcita sp. nov. (Peru), and Desmopachrialata sp. nov. (Brazil) are described in the new Desmopachriabifurcita group. Other members of the Desmopachriabifurcita group are Desmopachriabifasciata Zimmermann, Desmopachriabolivari Miller, Desmopachriaovalis Sharp, and Desmopachriavarians (each previously "ungrouped"). Desmopachriapseudocavia sp. nov. (Venezuela) is described in the Desmopachriaconvexa-signata species group. Desmopachriawolfei sp. nov. (Venezuela) is described in the Desmopachrianitida species group. Desmopachriaangulata sp. nov. (Guyana, Suriname), Desmopachriaemarginata sp. nov. (Guyana, Suriname, Venezuela), Desmopachriaimparis sp. nov. (Guyana), Desmopachriaimpunctata sp. nov. (Suriname, Venezuela), and Desmopachriatruncata sp. nov. (Guyana, Suriname) are described in the Desmopachriaportmanni-aldessa species group. Desmopachriabisulcata sp. nov. (Suriname), and Desmopachriairregulara sp. nov. (Venezuela) are described in the Desmopachriaportmanni-portmanni species group. Desmopachriarobusta sp. nov. (Venezuela) is described in the Desmopachriastriola species group. A key to the species groups is included. Male genitalia are figured for all new species and dorsal habitus images are provided for most new species.

The Lepidoptera of Cuatrociénegas Protected Area 1. A new species in the genus Callistege Hübner, [1823] (Erebidae, Erebinae, Euclidiini) from the Chihuahuan Desert, Coahuila, Mexico.

A new species of Callistege Hübner, [1823] (Lepidoptera, Erebidae, Erebinae, Euclidiini) is described from Cuatrociénegas Protected Area and Biosphere Preserve in Coahuila, Mexico. Adult male and female moths are illustrated, including genitalia. Callistege clara Homziak & Metzler, sp. nov. is one of 27 new species of insects discovered during an inventory survey of arthropods of White Sands National Monument, USA, and Cuatrociénegas Protected Area (Mexico), funded by the U.S. National Park Service. The Cuatrociénegas Basin is known for high endemism of aquatic and wetland biota within the Chihuahuan Desert. Callistege clara Homziak & Metzler, sp. nov. was found in a wetland environment.

Taxonomic revision of the Afrotropical Agabus raffrayi species group with the description of four new species (Coleoptera, Dytiscidae).

We revise the Afrotropical Agabus raffrayi species group, motivated by the discovery of new diversity in Kenya and South Africa. Whilst Agabus is mainly a holarctic genus, the Agabus raffrayi group is restricted to high altitude regions of eastern Africa and temperate parts of South Africa, from where we describe the southernmost Agabus in the world. The following new species are introduced: Agabus anguluverpus sp. nov. from Mount Kenya in central Kenya, Agabus austellus sp. nov. a widespread species in South Africa, Agabus riberae sp. nov. from the Kamiesberg and northeastern Cederberg ranges in the Northern and Western Cape Provinces of South Africa and Agabus agulhas sp. nov. from the Agulhas Plain, Western Cape Province, South Africa. We provide a distribution map, a determination key for males, quantitative measurements of diagnostic characters, habitus photos and detailed photos of male genitalia for all described species in the group, as well as images of diagnostic characters and habitats. The presence or absence of an elongated section between the subapical broadening and the base of the apical and subapical teeth of the male aedeagus is a useful novel character, first revealed by our study. In contrast with the most recent revision of Afrotropical Agabus, we show that Agabus ruwenzoricus Guignot, 1936 is restricted to eastern Africa; South African records of this species having been based on misidentifications, no species of the group being common to southern and eastern Africa. We speculate that the raffrayi group may display phylogenetic niche conservatism, being restricted, as an originally temperate taxon, to higher elevations in tropical eastern Africa, but occurring at lower altitudes in temperate South Africa.

Two new species of Agaporomorphus Guignot from Suriname (Coleoptera, Adephaga, Dytiscidae, Copelatinae).

Two new species are described in the Neotropical genus Agaporomorphus Guignot from Suriname: A. hamatocoles sp. nov. and A. tortus sp. nov. The species are included in a phylogenetic parsimony analysis of 13 morphological characters and all 12 known species. Two equally parsimonious arrangements are found with the only difference a rearrangement among the A. knischi clade. Agaporomorphus tortus belongs to the A. dolichodactylus group based on presence of an elongate, club-like lobe on the dorsal, basal surface of the male median lobe and long, subsinuate male mesotarsal claws and a small lobe at the apex of male mesotarsomere V. Agaporomorphus hamatocoles does not belong to a known species group and is phylogenetically isolated lacking synapomorphies characterizing the other groups, so the species is placed in its own species group. Male genitalia are illustrated for the new species and redrawn for all the species of the A. dolichodactylus group, and male mesotarsal claws are illustrated for A. tortus and redrawn for other members of the A. dolichodactylus group. New distribution records are reported for Suriname for the species A. colberti Miller and Wheeler and A. pereirai Guignot.

ResumenSe describen dos nuevas especies en el género neotrópico Agaporomorphus Guignot de Surinam: A. hamatocoles sp. nov. y A. tortus sp. nov. Las especies se incluyen en un análisis de parsimonia filogenética de 13 carácteres morfológicos y las 12 especies conocidas. Se encuentran dos arreglos igualmente parsimoniosos, con la única diferencia de un reordenamiento entre el clado de A. knischi. Agaporomorphus tortus pertenece al grupo A. dolichodactylus basado en la presencia en el macho de un lóbulo alargado, que parece un palo en la superficie dorsal, al base del lóbulo mediano ; las largas garras mesotarsales subsinuosas; y un lóbulo pequeño en el ápice del mesotarsómero V. Agaporomorphus hamatocoles no pertenece a ningún grupo de especies conocidas, está aislada filogenéticamente y carece de sinapormorfias que caracterizan los otros grupos, así que la especie se coloca en su propio grupo . Los genitales de los machos se ilustran para las nuevas especies y también para todas las especies del grupo A. dolichodactylus. Las garras mesotarsales de los machosse ilustran para A. tortus y también para los otros miembros del grupo A. dolichodactylus. Se informan nuevos registros de distribución para Surinam para las especies A. colberti Miller y Wheeler y A. pereirai Guignot.

Two new species of Desmopachria Babington, 1841 in the D. convexa species group (Coleoptera, Adephaga, Dytiscidae, Hydroporinae, Hyphydrini).

Two new species are described in the Desmopachria convexa species group in the Neotropical genus Desmopachria Babington: D. manco sp. nov. (Guyana), and D. mortimer sp. nov. (Costa Rica). Two subgroups, the D. convexa-convexa and the D. convexa-signata groups are defined. Desmopachria convexa-convexa species are from North and Central America and have a subapical articulable lobe on the male lateral lobe that is large and elongate and extends well beyond the slender, oblique apex of the lateral lobe. Desmopachria convexa-signata species are from South America and have a subapical articulable lobe on the male lateral lobe that is small and discrete and does not extend beyond the truncate apex of the lateral lobe. The male genitalia of all recognized species in the D. convexa group are redrawn from the literature. New species are illustrated from specimens and described species have morphological features redrawn from published illustrations.

ResumenSe describen dos especies nuevas en el grupo de especies Desmopachria convexa del género neoprópical Desmopachria Babington: D. manco sp. nov. (Guyana) y D. mortimer sp. nov. (Costa Rica). Se definen dos subgrupos, el D. convexa-convexa y D. convexa-signata. Las especies de D. conveza-convexa son de Centro y Norte América, y tienen un lóbulo subapical articulado en el lóbulo lateral del macho que es grande y alargado y se extiende mucho más allá del ápice delgado y oblicuo del lóbulo lateral. Las especies de D. convexa-signata son de América del Sur y tienen un lóbulo subapical articulado en el lóbulo lateral del macho que es pequeño y discreto y no se extiende más allá del ápice del lóbulo lateral. Los genitales masculinos de todas las especies reconocidas en el grupo D. convexa se vuelven a dibujar a partir de la literatura. Las especies nuevas se ilustran a partir de los ejemplares examinados y las especies descritas tienen características morfológicas redibujadas a partir de ilustraciones publicadas.

On Hydrocanthus Say, 1823 (Coleoptera: Noteridae): description of a new species, two new synonyms and a key to Brazilian species.

A new species of Hydrocanthus Say, 1823 is described and illustrated, H. zimmermanni sp. nov. from Peru. A distinct pattern of prosternum and prosternal process setation and aedeagal features differentiate the new species from all other members of Hydrocanthus. Two new synonyms are established: H. rubiginosus Guignot, 1942 as junior synonym of H. debilis Sharp, 1882 (syn. nov.) and H. paludimonstrus Miller, 2001 as junior synonym of H. paraguayensis Zimmermann, 1928 (syn. nov.). In addition, a key to Brazilian species of Hydrocanthus is provided.

Early burst in body size evolution is uncoupled from species diversification in diving beetles (Dytiscidae).

Changes in morphology are often thought to be linked to changes in species diversification, which is expected to leave a signal of early burst (EB) in phenotypic traits. However, such signal is rarely recovered in empirical phylogenies, even for groups with well-known adaptive radiation. Using a comprehensive phylogenetic approach in Dytiscidae, which harbours ~4,300 species with as much as 50-fold variation in body size among them, we ask whether pattern of species diversification correlates with morphological evolution. Additionally, we test whether the large variation in body size is linked to habitat preference and whether the latter influences species turnover. We found, in sharp contrast to most animal groups, that Dytiscidae body size evolution follows an early-burst model with subsequent high phylogenetic conservatism. However, we found no evidence for associated shifts in species diversification, which point to an uncoupled evolution of morphology and species diversification. We recovered the ancestral habitat of Dytiscidae as lentic (standing water), with many transitions to lotic habitat (running water) that are concomitant to a decrease in body size. Finally, we found no evidence for difference in net diversification rates between habitats nor difference in turnover in lentic and lotic species. This result, together with recent findings in dragonflies, contrasts with some theoretical expectations of the habitat stability hypothesis. Thus, a thorough reassessment of the impact of dispersal, gene flow and range size on the speciation process is needed to fully encompass the evolutionary consequences of the lentic-lotic divide for freshwater fauna.

-Comparative spigot ontogeny across the spider tree of life.

Spiders are well known for their silk and its varying use across taxa. Very few studies have examined the silk spigot ontogeny of the entire spinning field of a spider. Historically the spider phylogeny was based on morphological data and behavioral data associated with silk. Recent phylogenomics studies have shifted major paradigms in our understanding of silk use evolution, reordering phylogenetic relationships that were once thought to be monophyletic. Considering this, we explored spigot ontogeny in 22 species, including Dolomedes tenebrosus and Hogna carolinensis, reported here for the first time. This is the first study of its kind and the first to incorporate the Araneae Tree of Life. After rigorous testing for phylogenetic signal and model fit, we performed 60 phylogenetic generalized least squares analyses on adult female and second instar spigot morphology. Six analyses had significant correlation coefficients, suggesting that instar, strategy, and spigot variety are good predictors of spigot number in spiders, after correcting for bias of shared evolutionary history. We performed ancestral character estimation of singular, fiber producing spigots on the posterior lateral spinneret whose potential homology has long been debated. We found that the ancestral root of our phylogram of 22 species, with the addition of five additional cribellate and ecribellate lineages, was more likely to have either none or a modified spigot rather than a pseudoflagelliform gland spigot or a flagelliform spigot. This spigot ontogeny approach is novel and we can build on our efforts from this study by growing the dataset to include deeper taxon sampling and working towards the capability to incorporate full ontogeny in the analysis.

Tip-dated phylogeny of whirligig beetles reveals ancient lineage surviving on Madagascar.

The temporal origin of Madagascar's extraordinary endemic diversity is debated. A preference for Cenozoic dispersal origins has replaced the classical view of Mesozoic vicariance in the wake of molecular dating. However, evidence of ancient origins is mounting from arthropod groups. Using phylogenetic 'tip-dating' analysis with fossils, we show that a whirligig beetle species, Heterogyrus milloti, inhabiting forest streams in southeastern Madagascar is the last survivor of a once dominant and widespread Mesozoic group. With a Late Triassic to Early Jurassic origin (226-187 Ma) it is the hitherto oldest dated endemic lineage of animal or plant on Madagascar. Island biotas' sensitivity to extinction is well known, but islands can also provide refuge from continental extinction. Heterogyrus milloti is an irreplaceable link to the freshwater biota of the Mesozoic and serves as a reminder of what may be lost without critical conservation efforts on Madagascar.

A review of the Neotropical genus Bidessodes Régimbart, 1895 including description of four new species (Coleoptera, Adephaga, Dytiscidae, Hydroporinae, Bidessini).

The Neotropical genus Bidessodes Régimbart, 1895 is reviewed. Four new species are described, Bidessodes chlorus Miller, sp. n., Bidessodes erythros Miller, sp. n., Bidessodes leukus Miller, sp. n., and Bidessodes melas Miller, sp. n., bringing the total number of species in the genus to 20. A key to species is provided. Important diagnostic features are illustrated and described and distributions of all species based on examined specimens and published records are provided. Recognition of the subgenera of Bidessodes is not justified, and the two names Hughbosdineus Spangler, 1981 syn. n. and Youngulus Spangler, 1981 syn. n., described at the genus rank, are placed in synonymy with Bidessodes.

ResumenEl género neotropical Bidessodes Régimbart, 1895 se revisa. Cuatro nuevas especies se describen, Bidessodes chlorus Miller, sp. n., Bidessodes erythros Miller, sp. n., Bidessodes leukus Miller, sp. n., y Bidessodes melas Miller, sp. n., con lo que el número total de especies en el género se eleva a 20. Se proporciona una clave para las especies. Características diagnósticas importantes se ilustran y describen y se proporcionan las distribuciones de todas las especies basándose en los especímenes examinados y registros publicados. El reconocimiento de los subgéneros de Bidessodes no está justificado, y los nombres Hughbosdineus Spangler, 1981 syn. n. y Youngulus Spangler, 1981 syn. n., descritos como géneros, son sinonimizados con Bidessodes.

New record of a phoretic flea associated with earwigs (Dermaptera, Arixeniidae) and a redescription of the bat flea Lagaropsylla signata (Siphonaptera, Ischnopsyllidae).

Lagaropsylla signata (Wahlgren, 1903), previously known only from the Island of Java, Indonesia is redescribed and reported for the first time in Deer Cave, Gunung Mulu National Park, Sarawak, Malaysia (west coast of Borneo). Many were found clinging to the earwig Arixenia esau Jordan, 1909. A similar account of a phoretic flea (Lagaropsylla turba Smit, 1958) on the same species of cave-dwelling earwig has been reported in peninsular Malaysia in a well-documented association with the hairless naked bulldog bat, Cheiromeles torquatus Horsfield, 1824. The association of Lagaropsylla signata with Arixenia esau is parallel to the evolution and co-existence with bats in Deer Cave just as in the case of Lagaropsylla turba, Arixenia esau, and Cheiromeles torquatus. The evidence suggests that Lagaropsylla turba and Lagaropsylla signata are obligate phoretic parasites whose survival depends on Arixenia esau to access a bat host. Arixenia esau is reported for the first time in Deer Cave and the occurrence of Lagaropsylla signata on the island of Borneo represented a new record, previously being found only on the island of Java. Images of Lagaropsylla signata attached to Arixenia esau are provided. Xeniaria jacobsoni (Burr, 1912), often associated with Arixenia esau in other geographical areas, was not present in the material examined from Deer Cave. The natural history of the earwig genera Arixenia Jordan, 1909 and Xeniaria Maa, 1974 are discussed and summarized relative to their associations with phoretic fleas and their bat hosts.

Molecular phylogeny of the aquatic beetle family Noteridae (Coleoptera: Adephaga) with an emphasis on data partitioning strategies.

The first molecular phylogenetic hypothesis for the aquatic beetle family Noteridae is inferred using DNA sequence data from five gene fragments (mitochondrial and nuclear): COI, H3, 16S, 18S, and 28S. Our analysis is the most comprehensive phylogenetic reconstruction of Noteridae to date, and includes 53 species representing all subfamilies, tribes and 16 of the 17 genera within the family. We examine the impact of data partitioning on phylogenetic inference by comparing two different algorithm-based partitioning strategies: one using predefined subsets of the dataset, and another recently introduced method, which uses the k-means algorithm to iteratively divide the dataset into clusters of sites evolving at similar rates across sampled loci. We conducted both maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference analyses using these different partitioning schemes. Resulting trees are strongly incongruent with prior classifications of Noteridae. We recover variant tree topologies and support values among the implemented partitioning schemes. Bayes factors calculated with marginal likelihoods of Bayesian analyses support a priori partitioning over k-means and unpartitioned data strategies. Our study substantiates the importance of data partitioning in phylogenetic inference, and underscores the use of comparative analyses to determine optimal analytical strategies. Our analyses recover Noterini Thomson to be paraphyletic with respect to three other tribes. The genera Suphisellus Crotch and Hydrocanthus Say are also recovered as paraphyletic. Following the results of the preferred partitioning scheme, we here propose a revised classification of Noteridae, comprising two subfamilies, three tribes and 18 genera. The following taxonomic changes are made: Notomicrinae sensu n. (= Phreatodytinae syn. n.) is expanded to include the tribe Phreatodytini; Noterini sensu n. (= Neohydrocoptini syn. n., Pronoterini syn. n., Tonerini syn. n.) is expanded to include all genera of the Noterinae; The genus Suphisellus Crotch is expanded to include species of Pronoterus Sharp syn. n.; and the former subgenus Sternocanthus Guignot stat. rev. is resurrected from synonymy and elevated to genus rank.

Phylogenetic placement of the Pacific Northwest subterranean endemic diving beetle Stygoporus oregonensis Larson & LaBonte (Dytiscidae, Hydroporinae).

Stygoporus oregonensis Larson & LaBonte is a little-known subterranean diving beetle, which, until recently, had not been collected since the type series was taken from a shallow well in western Oregon, USA, in 1984. Here we report the discovery of additional specimens collected from a nearby well in the Willamette Valley. Sequence data from four mitochondrial genes, wingless, and histone III place Stygoporus Larson & LaBonte in the predominantly Mediterranean subtribe Siettitiina of the Hydroporini. Morphological support for these results is discussed, and details of the collecting circumstances of the new specimens are presented. We argue that the biogeographic patterns of Nearctic Siettitiina highlight the likelihood of additional undiscovered subterranean dytiscids in North America.

New species of Bidessonotus Régimbart, 1895 with a review of the South American species (Coleoptera, Adephaga, Dytiscidae, Hydroporinae, Bidessini).

The South American species of the New World genus Bidessonotus Régimbart, 1895 are reviewed with descriptions of seven new species. This brings the total number of valid Bidessonotus species to 37, making it the largest Bidessini genus in the New World. The new species are Bidessonotus annaesp. n. (Venezuela), Bidessonotus josiahisp. n. (Venezuela), Bidessonotus palecephalussp. n. (Venezuela), Bidessonotus reductussp. n. (Venezuela), Bidessonotus septimussp. n. (Venezuela), Bidessonotus spinosussp. n. (Venezuela), and Bidessonotus valdezisp. n. (Guyana, Suriname). New distribution records are provided for many other South American Bidessonotus species. The main diagnostic features of Bidessonotus species are in the male genitalia, and these are illustrated for all South American species. Diagnostic features, distributions (including distribution maps), and additional comments are provided for all South American species.

ResumenLas especies sudamericanas del género del Nuevo Mundo Bidessonotus Regimbart, 1895 (Coleoptera: Adephaga: Dytiscidae: Hydroporinae: Bidessini) se revisan con descripciones de siete especies nuevas. Se eleva el número total de especies válidas en Bidessonotus a 37, el género más grande de Bidessini en el Nuevo Mundo. Las especies nuevas son Bidessonotus annaesp. n. (Venezuela), Bidessonotus josiahisp. n. (Venezuela), Bidessonotus palecephalussp. n. (Venezuela), Bidessonotus reductussp. n. (Venezuela), Bidessonotus septimussp. n. (Venezuela), Bidessonotus spinosussp. n. (Venezuela), y Bidessonotus valdezisp. n. (Guyana, Surinam). Se incluyen nuevos registros distribucionales para la mayoría de las otras especies de Bidessonotus en América del Sur. Los principales caracteres diagnósticos para las especies de Bidessonotus están en los órganos genitales de los machos, los cuales se ilustran para todas las especies sudamericanas. También se incluyen caracteres diagnósticos, mapas de distribución, y comentarios adicionales para todas las especies sudamericanas.

Novadessus viracocha, a new genus and species of Bidessini Sharp from Peru (Coleoptera, Adephaga, Dytiscidae, Hydroporinae).

Novadessus viracochagen. n. and sp. n. is described from Peru. The genus distinctly is characterized by having the following combination: (1) a transverse occipital line absent on the head; (2) the anterior clypeal margin not modified; (3) a pair of basal pronotal striae present; (4) the basal elytral stria absent; (5) the elytral sutural stria absent; (6) the elytron without longitudinal carinae; (7) the epipleuron without a transverse carina at the humeral angle; (8) the lateral lobes of the male aedeagus two-segmented; (9) the overall habitus elongate and oval, with lateral pronotal and elytral margins discontinuous; (10) without distinct denticles along the posterior margins of the abdominal sternites; (11) the male genitalia (both median lobe and lateral lobes) bilaterally symmetrical; and (12) the metatrochanter small relative to the metafemur, approximately 0.6 × the length of the metafemur. The genus is diagnostically similar to Fontidessus Miller and Spangler and Neobidessodes Hendrich and Balke, but is superficially more similar to Liodessus Guignot. The habitus and male genitalia are illustrated, and a distribution map is provided.

ResumenNovadessus viracochagen. n. y sp. n. se describe de Perú. El género se caracteriza especialmente por tener la siguiente combinación: (1) línea occipital transversal ausente en la cabeza; (2) margen anterior clipeal no modificado; (3) presencia de un par de estrías basales pronotales; (4) estría elitral basal ausente; (5) estría elitral sutural ausente; (6) élitro sin carenas longitudinales; (7) epipleuron sin carena transversal en el ángulo humeral; (8) lóbulos laterales del aedeagus del macho bisegmentados; (9) hábito alargado y oval, con márgenes laterales de pronoto y élitros discontinuos; (10) sin dentículos a lo largo de los márgenes posteriores de los esternitos abdominales; (11) órganos genitales del macho (lóbulo medio y lóbulos laterales) bilateralmente simétricos; y (12) metatrocánter pequeño en relación con el metafémur, aproximadamente 0.6 × de la longitud del metafémur. El género es diagnósticamente similar a Fontidessus Miller y Spangler y Neobidessodes Hendrich y Balke, pero es superficialmente similar a Liodessus Guignot. Se ilustran el hábito y los órganos genitales del macho, y se proporciona un mapa de distribución.

First description of the male Hoedillus sexpunctatus Simon, 1898; a redescription of the female, and transfer of Hoedillus to Zoropsidae Bertkau, 1882 (Araneae).

Hoedillus sexpunctatus Simon, 1898 was described from a single female specimen collected in Guatemala and is the type species of the monotypic genus Hoedillus Simon, 1898. This genus was originally placed in the family Sparassidae Bertkau, 1872, subfamily Heteropodinae Thorell, 1873. In a review of this subfamily, Jäger (2002) determined that Hoedillus was misplaced in Sparassidae due to the lack of metatarsal trilobate membranes. Hoedillus was transferred to the family Zoridae Pickard-Cambridge, 1893 by Jäger (2002), now a junior synonym of Miturgidae Simon, 1886 (Ramírez 2014). Ramírez (2014), suggested Hoedillus may be a member of the Xenoctenus group, but provisionally listed it as a Miturgidae, awaiting further investigation.