Seven new species of the Exocelina ekari group from New Guinea central and coastal mountains (Coleoptera, Dytiscidae, Copelatinae)

Abstract

Seven new species of the genus Exocelina Broun, 1886 are described from three different mountain ranges of New Guinea: E. fojasp. nov., E. riberaisp. nov., E. apisteftisp. nov., and E. waafsp. nov. from the Foja Mountains; E. hudsonisp. nov. from the Cyclops Mountains; E. ekpliktikisp. nov. and E. oraiasp. nov. from Wano Land. All of them are placed into the E. ekari group based on the structure of their male genitalia. The species are characteristic dytiscid elements of the fauna of northern cost and the western part of central orogen of New Guinea. Two taxonomic notes are presented: Exocelina athesphati is a correct name for the recently described Exocelina athesphatos Shaverdo et al., 2020; Exocelina bacchus Balke, nom. nov. is a replacement name for Exocelina bacchusi (Balke, 1998), formerly Copelatus (Papuadytes) bacchusi Balke, 1998, a junior homonym of Copelatus bacchusi Wewalka, 1981.