A new species of the genus Ochthebius (Coleoptera, Hydraenidae) from the Ogasawara Islands, Japan, with a description of the larva

Scientists have identified a new species of water scavenger beetle, Ochthebius sasakiisp. nov., from the Ogasawara Islands, marking the first record of its family (Hydraenidae) in this UNESCO World Heritage Site. This discovery expands the known biodiversity of the region and contributes to understanding the genetic diversity within the punctatus species group. The study provides detailed descriptions of both adult and larval stages, distinguishing it from similar Japanese species like O. inermis and O. danjo. Additionally, the larva of O. inermis is described for comparative purposes, offering new insights into the morphology and taxonomy of this genus.

Yoshitomi, H., Karube, H., & Hayashi, M. (2019). A new species of the genus Ochthebius (Coleoptera, Hydraenidae) from the Ogasawara Islands, Japan, with a description of the larva. ZooKeys, 855, 95–107. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.855.35677