On the systematic position of the diving-beetle genus Pachydrus (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae: Hydroporinae): Evidence from larval chaetotaxy and morphology

Phylogenetic relationships within the diving-beetle subfamily Hydroporinae are not well understood. Some authors include the genus Pachydrus Sharp, 1882 in the tribe Hyphydrini, whereas others are in favour of excluding Pachydrus from the Hyphydrini and placing it in its own tribe, Pachydrini. Larval characters have been underutilised in phylogenetic studies, mainly because the larvae of many taxa within the family are unknown. In this study, the phylogenetic relationships of Pachydrus are studied based on a cladistic analysis of 34 taxa and 122 morphological larval characters. For this purpose, larvae of P. obesus Sharp, 1882 are described and illustrated in detail for the first time, with particular emphasis on morphometry and chaetotaxy. First and second instars for the genus were unknown. The results support a monophyletic origin of the tribe Hyphydrini excluding Pachydrus, based on four unique character states. On the other hand, Pachydrus is resolved as the sister group of the Hydrovatini. These results suggest Pachydrus should not be placed in the Hyphydrini. Given that the Hyphydrini minus Pachydrus is a distinctive clade, based on this study, it seems useful to recognise this group as Hyphydrini. Including Pachydrus in Hyphydrini would leave the tribe with a single larval apomorphy, as most characters present in the Hyphydrini and Pachydrus are also present in the Hydrovatini. However, in the absence of larvae of Heterhydrus Fairmaire, 1869 and of a more comprehensive and inclusive analysis, we do not propose a formal exclusion of Pachydrus from Hyphydrini at this stage. Pachydrus is a highly distinctive genus within the Hydroporinae and is characterised by several larval apomorphies.