A check list of Copelatus Erichson 1832 species (Coleoptera Dytiscidae) from Afrotropical and Madagascan regions with a review of published penis drawings

Abstract

A check list is given for the 199 species of Copelatus Erichson 1832 known from the Afrotropical and Madagascan regions. Copelatus bertrandi nom. n. is given as a replacement name of C. angustatus Bertrand & Legros 1975, preoccupied by Chevrolat 1863. Penis drawings from the literature of as many species as possible are republished together. Most of the diagnostic penis drawings were selected for the species illustrated in more than one publication. The penis of C. ateles Guignot 1955, C. jactator Guignot 1955, C. lignosus Guignot 1955, C. paryphes Guignot 1955, C. scytalotus Guignot 1956, and C. usagarensis Zimmermann 1926 are illustrated for the first time. The taxonomical history of African Copelatus is reviewed and the geographical variation in species richness is discussed.

Key Words:

• Dytiscidae
• Copelatus
• Afrotropical Region
• Madagascar
• male genitalia
• check list