- Lutrochidae
Taxobox
name = Lutrochidae
regnum =Animal ia
phylum =Arthropod a
classis =Insect a
ordo = Coleoptera
subordo =Polyphaga
superfamilia =Byrrhoidea
familia = Lutrochidae
familia_authority = Kasap & Crowson, 1975
genus = "Lutrochus"
genus_authority = Erichson, 1847
subdivision_ranks = Species
subdivision = "Lutrochus arizonicus " "Lutrochus laticeps " "Lutrochus luteus "Lutrochidae is a family of
water beetle s sometimes known as "travertine beetles", since inNorth America they are common in springs and streams depositingtravertine .They are distinguished by their ovate bodies, 2-6 mm long and yellowish in color, and short antennae in which the first two
antennomere s are longer than the others. The larvae are elongate, 4-10 mm in length, with short but well-developed legs.Both adults and larvae are found in fast-moving water, feeding on algae and wood.
The family is known only from the
New World , and consists of 12 species in a single genus "Lutrochus", although it is likely that the genus will be divided upon review. The genus has been variously classified underDryopidae andLimnichidae , but has more recently been given its own family.References
*
William D. Shepard , "Lutrochidae", inRoss H. Arnett, Jr. andMichael C. Thomas , "American Beetles " (CRC Press, 2002), vol. 2External links
* [http://biodiversity.uno.edu/delta/elateria/www/lutr.htm Detailed description of Lutrochidae]
* [http://biodiversity.uno.edu/delta/elateria/images/arnett40.jpga picture]
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