Megadytes is a genus of diving beetles in the family Dytiscidae. They are found in slow-moving or static freshwater habitats in the Neotropics.[1] The adult beetles measure about 1.65–4.75 cm (0.6–1.9 in) long depending on the exact species and the largest is also the largest in the family (together with certain Dytiscus).[1][2][3]

Megadytes
Megadytes sp.
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Family: Dytiscidae
Tribe: Cybistrini
Genus: Megadytes
Sharp, 1882

Species

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Following reclassification in 2024,[4] Megadytes now contains two described species:

References

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  1. ^ a b Miller, K.B.; J. Bergsten (2016). Diving Beetles of the World: Systematics and Biology of the Dytiscidae. JHU Press. pp. 107–108. ISBN 978-1-4214-2054-7.
  2. ^ G.N. Foster; D.T. Bilton (2014). "The Conservation of Predaceous Diving Beetles: Knowns, Unknowns and Anecdotes". In D.A. Yee (ed.). Ecology, Systematics, and the Natural History of Predaceous Diving Beetles (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae). Springer. pp. 437–462. ISBN 978-94-017-9109-0.
  3. ^ Hendrich, Lars; Manuel, Michael; Balke, Michael (2019). "The return of the Duke—locality data for Megadytes ducalis Sharp, 1882, the world's largest diving beetle, with notes on related species (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae)". Zootaxa. 4586 (3): 517–535. doi:10.11646/zootaxa.4586.3.8. ISSN 1175-5334. PMID 31716121.
  4. ^ Miller, Kelly B.; Michat, Mariano C.; Ferreira, Nelson (2024). "Reclassification of Cybistrinae Sharp, 1880 in the Neotropical Region (Coleoptera, Adephaga, Dytiscidae), with description of new taxa". ZooKeys (1188): 126–168. doi:10.3897/zookeys.1188.110081. PMC 10790577. PMID 38230379.