Taxonomy, distribution and habitats of the Dytiscidae (Coleoptera) of Ethiopia

Abstract

The 168 species of Dytiscidae known from Ethiopia are listed. For each species are given: original citation, synonyms, gross distribution, and distribution in Ethiopia with special reference to altitude and provinces. Besides literature records and museum specimens, 7300 individuals of 53 species collected by the junior author chiefly in the Arssi highlands in 1988 and 1989 are reported on. One syn. n. is presented: Rhantus longulus Regimbart, 1895 = Rhantus flavicollis Regimbart, 1887. Most of the 38 species endemic to Ethiopia occur only over 2000 m a.s.l., and the proportion of endemic species is highest in the Gondar, Shoa, Arssi and Bale provinces. The fauna of most provinces is poorly known. The Shoa province is best known, with 92 species recorded. In the Arssi highlands, the maximum local diversity was near 20 species in both lentic and lotic biotopes. The species richness of different supraspecific taxa is discussed and information is presented on co-occurrence of congeneric species and proportions of rare and frequent species.