06 Oca 2025 Pazartesi
New records of two species of the genus Ranatra Fabricius, 1790 (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Nepidae) from Kerala, India
Abstract : Members of the family Nepidae are commonly called as water scorpions. They are active predators and mostly observed in stagnant waters or muddy bottoms of aquatic ecosystems. Two subspecies of water scorpions Ranatra varipes atropha Montandon, 1903 and Ranatra varipes varipes Stal, 1861 are reported for the first time from Kerala State, India. These two subspecies are not widely distributed in this region. R. varipes atropha Montandon, 1903 are closely related to R. varipes varipes Stal, 1861. They can be distinguished by the antennal segments and the shape of meta-sternal keel of the body.