Taxonomy of Central American water beetles in the genus Hydrochus Leach, 1817 (Coleoptera: Hydrochidae)

Abstract

The taxonomy of Central American water beetles in the genus Hydrochus Leach, 1817 is presented, including the Mexican fauna. The known fauna now consists of 26 species, nine of which are described as new species. The new species are diagnosed, and high-resolution images of the habitus and male genitalia of each species, and detailed descriptions of the male genitalia are given. Geographical distribution maps are given for all species. The following new species are described: H. aeruginosus n. sp. (Mexico), H. argutoides n. sp. (Costa Rica), H. biexcavatus n. sp. (Belize, Costa Rica, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua), H. laevigatus n. sp. (Mexico), H. lubricus n. sp. (Mexico), H. mesoamericanus PERKINS460 · Zootaxa 4974 (3) © 2021 Magnolia Press n. sp. (Belize, Mexico), H. nayaritensis n. sp. (Mexico), H. panamensis n. sp. (Panama), and H. perpunctatus n. sp