New species of diving beetles in the subgenus Platynectes s. str. from the Guiana Shield (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae: Agabinae)

Abstract: The Neotropical species of Platynectes Régimbart, 1879 sensu stricto (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae: Agabinae: Platynectini) are arranged into three newly proposed species groups based on the coloration of the venter: the P. submaculatus species group, the P. agallithoplotes species group, and the P. nigerrimus species group. The species of the P. submaculatus group and P. agallithoplotes group are treated in detail including the description of five new species: P. agallithoplotes sp. nov. (Venezuela), P. elaskanaima sp. nov. (Venezuela), P. garciai sp. nov. (Venezuela, Guyana), P. meru sp. nov. (Venezuela) and P. tafelbergensis sp. nov. (Suriname). The lectotype is designated for Agabus decemnotatus Aubé, 1838, and the species is, together with Platynectes submaculatus (Laporte, 1835) redescribed based on the recently collected material. For each species of the P. agallithoplotes group and P. submaculatus group a dorsal habitus, illustration of the median lobe of the aedeagus, distribution maps, and habitat photos are figured. Keys to the species groups and species of the P. submaculatus group are included. A checklist to the species of Neotropical Platynectes sensu stricto is provided.

Key words: Coleoptera, Dytiscidae, aquatic beetle, new species, description, taxonomy, French Guiana, Suriname, Venezuela, Neotropical Region