Larval morphology of four genera of Laccophilinae (Coleoptera: Adephaga: Dytiscidae) with an analysis of their phylogenetic relationships

Abstract

AbstractDescriptions of the larval instars of four genera (12 species) of the dytiscid subfamily Laccophilinae, Laccophilus Leach, Neptosternus Sharp, Australphilus Watts and Africophilus Guignot, are presented including a detailed chaetotaxic and porotaxic analysis of the cephalic capsule, head appendages, legs, last abdominal segment and urogomphi. A parsimony analysis, based on the 13 informative larval characteristics was conducted with Hennig86. The genus Africophilus is postulated to represent the sister-group of a clade comprised of Laccophilus + (Neptosternus + Australphilus) which is supported by, (i) primary seta CO7 articulated proximally on all legs, (ii) presence of natatory setae, (iii) metatibia + metatarsus very elongated, and (iv) elongated urogomphi.