Taxonomia e biologia de Scirtidae (Coleoptera: Polyphaga) do Amazonas, Brasil

Abstract

Despite the large volume of knowledge available on Coleoptera, Scirtidae is a family that still lacks taxonomic, biological and ecological studies. The objectives of this work were to obtain taxonomic and biological information on immatures and adults of Scirtidae, in the state of Amazonas. Three genera of this family (Contacyphon Gozis, Ora Clark and Scirtes Illiger) were recorded for the first time in the brazilian Amazon, and three species: Ora bivittata Pic, 1922, Ora depressa (Fabricuis, 1801) and Ora semibrunnea Pic, 1922. In addition, nine morphotypes (eight from Scirtes and one from Contacyphon) were identified, it was not possible to identify the species or to determine if these morphotypes represent new species for Science because the descriptions of the species are incomplete and because it is impossible to examine the species types of these genera. All morphotypes were described and, for the majority, larvae were associated with adults by breeding under laboratory conditions. Biological and habitat information of each species / morphotype were obtained; lasvas were collected in streams and temporary pools (associated with foliage), lakes (associated with macrophytes, submerged trunks and kinon) and phytotelmatas (bromeliads, wild-banana, bracts and fallen palm leaves). Information on the geographical distribution of the species was presented and maps of distribution of the species / morphotypes in the state of Amazonas were elaborated. Larva and pupae of O. semibrunnea were first described and biological information about this species with the first aquatic pupa record in the genus were presented.