Gyrinus gibbus

Gyrinus gibbus is a species of aquatic beetle in the family Gyrinidae. It is native to the Neotropics.

Gyrinus gibbus
Gyrinus gibbus from Cuenca
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Family: Gyrinidae
Genus: Gyrinus
Species:
G. gibbus
Binomial name
Gyrinus gibbus
Aubé, 1838
Synonyms[1]
  • Gyrinus apicalis Sharp, 1877
  • Gyrinus hypomelas Ochs, 1955

Description

The body of Gyrinus gibbus has an oval, convex shape and is between 4,5 mm and 6.0 mm long.[2] It is coloured black or dark brown with exception of the elytral margin, which is often coloured in a reddish or yellow tone.[2] The elytra are non-uniformly reticulated and vary from a polished appearance in the middle regions of the elytra to a bronze-metallic appearance towards the elytral margins. The species shows a high regional variability in body size, convexity, colouration and reticulation of the elytra, with specimens found in the Amazon region being less round and less convex.[2] Like all Gyrinid beetles Gyrinus gibbus has horizontally divided eyes,[3] allowing them to observe the surroundings underwater and on the surface alike. Gyrinus gibbus can be distinguished from the very similar Gyrinus ovatus by the harsher contrast between the polished and metallic areas on the elytra. Furthermore, the elytral apex of Gyrinus gibbus shows a complete border, while in Gyrinus ovatus the epipleural angle bears a spiky denticle.[2]

Feeding habits

Gyrinus gibbus feeds on small insects and spiders.[3]

Distribution

Gyrinus gibbus is distributed in many parts of Latin America, including Argentinia, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela.[2][4] Gyrinus gibbus prefers stagnant or slow flowing waters.[5] In Venezuela the species seems to be strongly associated with streams and river habitats[2] where it occurs in the calmer zones of those water bodies.

References

  1. Gyrinus gibbus . Retrieved through: Interim Register of Marine and Nonmarine Genera on 29 November 2021.
  2. Gustafson, Grey T.; Short, Andrew E. Z. (2017). "Review of the whirligig beetle Genus Gyrinus of Venezuela (Coleoptera: Gyrinidae)". Acta Entomologica Musei Nationalis Pragae. 57 (2): 479–520. doi:10.1515/aemnp-2017-0087. hdl:1808/27522.
  3. Chaboo, Caroline S.; Shepard, William D. (2015). "Beetles (Coleoptera) of Peru: A Survey of the Families. Dytisddae, Gyrinidae, Haliplidae, and Noteridae (Suborder Adephaga)". Journal of the Kansas Entomological Society. 88 (2): 146–150. doi:10.2317/KENT-88-02-146-150.1.
  4. Fernández, Liliana A.; Archangelsky, Miguel; Manzo, Verónica (2008). "Coleópteros acuáticos y semiacuáticos del Parque Provincial Salto Encantado y Valle del Cuñá Pirú (Misiones, Argentina)". Revista de la Sociedad Entomológica Argentina. 67 (3–4): 87–98.
  5. von Ochs, Georg; Nieste-Kassel (1965). "Vierter Beitrag zur Kenntnis der Taumelkäfer des Amazonas-Gebiets (Col., Gyrinidae)". Amazoniana. 1 (1): 36–73.
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