Article

Zootaxa 3736 (3): 201–235 ISSN 1175-5326 (print edition)
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Copyright © 2013 Magnolia Press
Article ZOOTAXA
ISSN 1175-5334 (online edition)
http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3736.3.1
http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:12248658-6C84-45CC-BA1C-311822CBA328
Gerromorpha (Hemiptera: Heteroptera) of eastern Mato Grosso State, Brazil:

checklist, new records, and species distribution modeling
KARINA DIAS-SILVA1, FELIPE FERRAZ FIGUEIREDO MOREIRA2, 3, NUBIA FRANÇA DA SILVA GIEHL4,
CAROLINE CORREA NÓBREGA5 & HELENA SOARES RAMOS CABETTE6
1
Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Ambientais, UFG-ICB1 , 74.001-970 Goiânia, GO, Brasil.
E-mail: karinabionx@gmail.com
2
Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Laboratório Nacional e Internacional de Referência em Taxonomia de Triatomíneos. Avenida Brasil, 4365,
Pavilhão Rocha Lima, Quinto Andar. Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil. CEP 21045-900. E-mail: felipe.moreira@ioc.fiocruz.br
3
Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Instituto de Biologia, Departamento de Zoologia, Laboratório de Entomologia. Avenida
Carlos Chagas Filho 373, CCS, Bloco A, Sala 107. Cidade Universitária, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil. CEP 21941-971, Caixa Postal
68044. Email: felipento@hotmail.com
4
Programa de Pós-graduação em Ecologia e Conservação, UNEMAT. Cx.P. 08, 78.690.000, Nova Xavantina, MT, Brasil.
E-mail:nubiagiehl@gmail.com
5
Programa de Pós-graduação em Ecologia e Evolução, UFG –ICB1 , 74.001-970 Goiânia, GO, Brasil.
E-mail:nobrega.caroline@gmail.com
6
Universidade do Estado de Mato Grosso. Depto. de Biologia, Cx.P. 08, 78.690.000, Nova Xavantina, MT, Brasil.
E-mail: hcabette@uol.com.br
Abstract
The infraorder Gerromorpha comprises semiaquatic bugs, most of which spend much of their lifetime on the water surface,
between floating plants, or on the margins of water bodies. Based on literature and collections made on streams and lakes on
municipalities of eastern Mato Grosso, Brazil, a list has been elaborated with 52 species, including several new records. Out of
the recorded species, 26 belong to the family Veliidae, 20 to Gerridae, three to Hydrometridae, two to Mesoveliidae, and one to
Hebridae. The modeling of the potential geographical distribution is also presented for the 20 species that have been recorded
for the first time from the state.
Key words: Aquatic insects, biogeography, semiaquatic bugs, taxonomy
Resumo
A infraordem Gerromorpha é composta por percevejos semiaquáticos, a maioria dos quais vive grande parte do tempo sobre a
água, entre plantas flutuantes ou nas margens de corpos d´água. Com base em literatura e coletas realizadas em córregos e lagos
de municípios do leste do Mato Grosso, Brasil, foi elaborada uma lista de 52 espécies para a região, incluindo diversos novos
registros. Das espécies registradas, 26 pertencem a família Veliidae, 20 a Gerridae, três a Hydrometridae, duas a Mesoveliidae
e uma a Hebridae. Também é apresentada a modelagem de distribuição geográfica potencial das 20 espécies que foram
registradas pela primeira vez no estado.
Palavras-chave: Biogeografia, insetos aquáticos, percevejos semi-aquáticos, taxonomia
Introduction
The aquatic and semiaquatic Heteroptera (Insecta: Hemiptera) are distributed worldwide and occupy a wide variety
of habitats, including lentic and lotic water bodies, perennial or temporary (Nieser & Melo 1997). These insects are
divided on the infraorders Nepomorpha (truly aquatic), Gerromorpha, and Leptopodomorpha (both mainly
semiaquatic), and total approximately 4.700 freshwater species, 28% of which occur on the Neotropical Region.
Among the more than 2.100 described Gerromorpha, 206 species and subspecies have been recorded from Brazil
Accepted by M. Malipatil: 16 Oct. 2013; published: 13 Nov. 2013 201

(Polhemus & Polhemus 2008; Moreira et al. 2011a; Moreira 2013), 32 of which are known from eastern Mato
Grosso State (MT) (Nieser 1970; Polhemus & Polhemus 1984; Mazzucconi & Bachmann 1993; Polhemus &
Spangler 1995; Polhemus 1997; Fernandes & Wanzeler 2010; Cabette et al. 2010; Dias-Silva et al. 2010; Moreira
et al. 2011b; Moreira & Campos 2012).
Taxonomic revisions and lists of species are limited and are not readily available in the country (Albernaz &
Souza 2007; Cabette et al. 2008), and the lack of knowledge of basic informations, such as the geographical
distribution (Bini et al. 2006), makes it necessary to search for alternative strategies. In this scenario of poor
biological information, yet of urgent demands concerning conservation and recovering or monitoring of
hydrographical basins, models of potential distribution have emerged as useful tools.
Models of distribution use the simplest information about the fauna, the distributional records, and enable
inferring ecological aspects and predicting which geographical areas are suitable for the treated species. They are
being used in order to solve a variety of urgent issues, including the prediction of the distribution of rare or poorly
studied species (Pearson et al. 2007; De Almeida et al. 2010), evaluation of the threat level of a given species
(Marini et al. 2010), establishing priority areas for conservation (Ko et al. 2009), and as an indicative of target
areas for future collections and inventories (Rodriguez 2007).
In the present study, a list of species of Gerromorpha recorded in the literature or newly collected in eastern
Mato Grosso State is presented and the information on their geographical distribution is amplified. For the species
recorded for the first time from the state, potential distribution models were constructed with the objective to
indicate target areas for future inventories.
Material and methods
The area of collection comprises localities in two large hydrographical basins (Table 1), the Mortes-Araguaia (MA)
and the Suiá-Missu (SM), on eastern Mato Grosso, central Brazil. On the former basin, samples have been made in
areas of Cerrado on its median (MA-S) and northern (MA-N) regions, whereas on the latter they have been
performed on areas of Cerrado and Cerrado-Amazon transition (SM) (Fig. 1).
Region MA-S occupies southernmost areas and samples have been made on Pindaíba River, Antártico Stream,
and Botina Stream sub-basins, always on lotic environments. The regional climate, according to the revised
Köppen’s model, is classified as Aw with two well-defined seasons – a dry period from May to September and a
rainy period from December to March. The annual means of precipitation vary from 1.200 to 1.600 mm and
temperatures from 20.0 to 25.0º C, with September and October being the warmest months (Brasil 1981).
On MA-N region, samples have been performed on lotic and lentic environments, in areas characterized by
floodable places and fluvial plains with great morphological variation. The climate of the region is also classified
as seasonal tropical of the savannah subtype (Aw), with micro-regions of the monsoon (Am) and tropical rainy (A)
subtypes. Annual mean precipitation is of 1.370 mm and temperatures vary from 17.0 to 32.7 ºC. The climate of
region SM, one of the main source areas of the Xingu River, is the same as described for MA-N (Silva et al. 2008),
and samples have been made on lotic environments on areas of Cerrado, and on semi-lotic environments on areas
of Cerrado-Amazon transition.
Except when other collectors are mentioned, all collections have been made by the staff of the Laboratório de
Entomologia, Universidade do Estado do Mato Grosso (UNEMAT), with the supervision of H. S. R. Cabette. Two
to four collecting trips have been made to each region, from January 2005 to September 2010 on MA-S, August
2003 to June 2004 on MA-N, and September 2007 to May 2008 on SM, comprising 42 localities. Specimens have
been caught using a net with 18 cm of diameter in standardized transects of 100 m (Cabette et al. 2010), fixed on
the field, and conserved in 85% ethyl alcohol.
The material examined is presented in the following way: PT# (collecting station), followed by the number and
sex of the specimens between parenthesis, the deposition number on Coleção Zoobotânica “James Alexander
Ratter” (UNEMAT, Nova Xavantina, Brazil) between brackets, the date of collection, and the collector, when
needed. The distribution of each taxon is according to Moreira (2013) and state acronyms follow the official
Brazilian standard. New records from Mato Grosso are marked by an exclamation mark. Those species previously
recorded from the eastern portion of the state by other researchers or previous publications have been included on
the list, even when no representatives were collected on the sampling stations.
202 · Zootaxa 3736 (3) © 2013 Magnolia Press DIAS-SILVA ET AL.

TABLE 1. List of the sampling stations on Mato Grosso, Brazil (2003-2010), its respective acronyms, and geographic
coordinates. The numbers 1-6 after an acronym refer to Strahler’s (1957) classification in the river drainage.
Ponto Acrômio Sigla Bacia Latitude (S) Longitude (W)
PT 01 Corixo Sucupira COSU MA-N 12°20'10.5" 50°55'11.9"
PT 02 Lago do Mateiro LGMT MA-N 12°25'53.2" 50°59'50"
PT 03 Lago São João Grande LGSJG MA-N 12°58'20.8 50°50'36.6"
PT 04 Lago Sucupira LGSU MA-N 12°19'39.8" 50°55'27.7"
PT 05 Rio São João Grande RSJG MA-N 12°47'13.2" 51°06'42.7"
PT 06 C. Chupador (downstream) CRCHd MA-S 14°50'9.5" 52°30'2.9"
PT 07 C. Chupador (upstream) CRCHu MA-S 14°45'04.0'' 52°33'11.2''
PT 08 C. Bacaba CRBA MA-S 14°43'10" 52°21'35"
PT 09 C. Buriti (downstream) CRBTd MA-S 14°45'01.4" 52°33'14.4"
PT 10 C. Buriti (upstream) CRBTu MA-S 14°45'04.1'' 52°33'11.0''
PT 11 C. Duílio (downstream) CRDLd MA-S 14°48'18.8" 52°30'10.7"
PT 12 C. Duílio (upstream) CRDLu MA-S 14°48'19.3'' 52°30'10.9''
PT 13 C. Papagaio (1st order) CRP_1 MA-S 15°27'01" 52°24'30"
PT 14 C. Papagaio (2nd order) CRP_2 MA-S 15°27'32" 52°24'42"
PT 15 C. Papagaio (3rd order) CRP_3 MA-S 15°28'11" 52°24'32"
PT 16 C. Papagaio (4th order) CRP_4 MA-S 15°28'56" 52°21'47"
PT 17 C. Taquaral (1st order) CRT_1 MA-S 15°41'54" 52°20'03"
PT 18 C. Taquaral (2nd order) CRT_2 MA-S 15°41'57" 52°19'56"
PT 19 C. Taquaral (3rd order) CRT_3 MA-S 15°39'35" 52°13'52"
PT 20 C. Taquaral (nascent) CRTn_1 MA-S 15°44'20.4" 52°23'31.3"
PT 21 C. Taquaral (preserved) CRTp_2 MA-S 15°41'24'' 52°8'37''
PT 22 C. Taquaral (disturbed) CRTd_2 MA-S 15°41'24.9" 52°18'37"
PT 23 C. Buritizinho (2nd order) CRBU_2 MA-S 14°47'17'' 52°21'36''
PT 24 C. Buritizinho (3rd order) CRBU_3 MA-S 14°48'20'' 52°18'12''
PT 25 C. Cachoeirinha (1st order) CRC_1 MA-S 14°50'30" 52°24'54"
PT 26 C. Cachoeirinha (2nd order) CRC_2 MA-S 14°50'50" 52°24'22"
PT 27 C. Cachoeirinha (3rd order) CRC_3 MA-S 14°50'33" 52°21'34"
PT 28 C. Cachoeirinha (4th order) CRC_4 MA-S 14°49'45" 52°12'55"
PT 29 C. Caveira (1st order) CRCA_1 MA-S 14°59'06" 52°20'29"
PT 30 C. Caveira (3rd order) CRCA_3 MA-S 14°57'28" 52°13'43"
PT 31 C. Caveira (4th order) CRCA_4 MA-S 14°49'47" 52°03'16"
PT 32 C. da Mata (1st order) CRM_1 MA-S 14°59'53" 52°28'42"
PT 33 C. da Mata (2nd order) CRM_2 MA-S 14°59'18" 52°27'30"
PT 34 C. da Mata (3rd order) CRM_3 MA-S 14°59'59" 52°26'29"
PT 35 C. da Mata (4th order) CRM_4 MA-S 15°01'32" 52°26'29"
PT 36 C. Marimbondo (1st order) CRMB_1 MA-S 15°6'29'' 52°8'40''
PT 37 C. Marimbondo (2nd order) CRMB_2 MA-S 15°6'36'' 52°7'26''
PT 38 Rio Pindaíba (5th order) RIPID_5 MA-S 14°27'9" 51°42'26"
PT 39 C. Pindaibinha (1st order) CRPN_1 MA-S 15°11'51'' 52°10'44''
PT 40 C. Pindaibinha (3rd order) CRPN_3 MA-S 15°10'11'' 52°6'49''
PT 41 C. Brejão (2st order) CRBJ_2 SM 13°38'32.3" 51°53'20.6"
PT 42 C. Lúcio (2nd order) CRL_2 SM 13°05'34.5" 52°15'16.9"
PT 43 C. Sucuri (2nd order) CRSRI_2 SM 13°49'50.7" 52°17'02.2"
PT 44 C. Transição Brejo (1st order) CRTB_1 SM 13°03'35.6" 52°12’03.3"
PT 45 Rio Betis 1 (1st order) RIBET1_1 SM 12°22'28.7" 52°13'23.1"
PT 46 Rio Betis 2 (1st order) RIBET2_1 SM 12°22'27.5" 52°13'19.0"
PT 47 Rio Suiá 1 (2nd order) RISU1_2 SM 13°15'45.5" 52°02'50.9"
PT 48 Rio Suiá 2 (3rd order) RISU2_3 SM 13°15'24.3" 52°08'44.5"
......continued on next page
GERROMORPHA OF EASTERN MATO GROSSO STATE, BRAZIL Zootaxa 3736 (3) © 2013 Magnolia Press · 203
TABLE 1. (Continued)
Ponto Acrômio Sigla Bacia Latitude (S) Longitude (W)
PT 49 Rio Suiá-Missu (6th order) RISU3_6 SM 11°50'17.8" 52°15'07.5"
PT 50 Rio Suiazinho (4th order) RISUZ_4 SM 11°38'33.4" 51°56'50.7"
PT 51 C. Colher (nascente) CRCOn_1 MA-S 14°38'03.0'' 52°26'39.0''
PT 52 C. Colher (intermediário) CRCOi_2 MA-S 14°38'01.8" 52°26'38.5"
PT 53 C. Colher (foz) CRCOf_3 MA-S 14°39'19.2" 52°27'45.1"
PT 54 C. Sto Antônio (nascente) CRSAn_1 MA-S 14°36'36.6" 52°29'13.8"
PT 55 C. Sto Antônio (foz) CRSAf_3 MA-S 14°38'41.3" 52°29'23.9"
The potential geographical distribution was estimated using the software MaxEnt version 3.3.3 (Phillips et al.
2006), which was recently considered one of the most efficient in a comparative analysis (Elith et al. 2006) and
pointed as having the best modeling performance for species with few points of occurrence (Costa 2010). In order
to evaluate the quality of the models, the AUC (area under the ROC curve) was used, and values higher than 0.7
were considered acceptable (Swets 1988; Girardello et al. 2009). The conversion of the predicted distribution into
maps of presence/absence was made using two thresholds, one derived from the ROC curve (Th. Max) and the
other being the minimum training presence (Th. Min) (Elith et al. 2006; Peterson 2006).
For the construction of the models, eight climatic variables of the Brazilian territory have been used: annual
mean temperature, temperature seasonality (coefficient of variation), temperature on warmest trimester, annual
precipitation, seasonality of the precipitation (coefficient of variation), and precipitation on the driest trimester, all
obtained from WORLDCLIM (http://www.worldclim.org). Besides those, the topographic variables altitude and
inclination have also been used, and obtained from the digital model of global elevation Hydro-1k (http://
edcdaac.usgs.gov/gtopo30/hydro/). All variables have a resolution of 2.5 minutes (≈ 0.0417 degrees).
On the modeled maps, triangles represent both new and previous recording localities of each species. Darker
areas represent localities with higher environmental suitability (Threshold ≥ Th. Max) and lighter areas represent
localities with lower environmental suitability (Threshold ≥ Th. Min). Regions in white color are considered as
probable absence areas for a given species.
Results
INFRAORDER GERROMORPHA (5 families, 19 genera, 52 species)
FAMILY GERRIDAE (9 genera, 20 species)
Brachymetra Mayr (3 species, 1 subspecies)
Brachymetra albinervis albinervis (Amyot & Serville)
Distribution in Brazil: PA, AM, CE, MT, BA, MG, SP, RJ.
Biological aspects: Collections resulted in 39 individuals from 1st and 2nd order streams on MA-S and 1st order
environments on SM. These streams were considered conserved or moderately conserved on both regions.
Comments: This species occurs on all Brazilian macrorregions, and was previously collected on MT by E. J.
Fittkau in 1965, on the Roncador Mountain Range (Nieser 1970).
Material examined: PT 33, (1♂), [nº 3386], 17.VII.2008. PT 45, (5♂, 1♀), [nº 1998], 26.IX.2007. PT 51,
(8♂, 9♀), [nº 1353], 20.VII.2005. PT 52, (2♂, 4♀), [nº 2486], 20.XII.2004. PT 09 (1♂, 1♀), [nº 2458], 19.IX.2010.
PT 06, (1♂, 1♀), [nº 3845], 18.IX.2010. PT 08 (1♂), [nº 2485], 17.II.2006; (2♂, 1♀, 1nymph), [nº 2490],
06.IV.2004.

FIGURE 1. Key map showing the location of the collecting sites in Mato Grosso State and the distribution of Brazilian
biomes.
Brachymetra furva Drake
Distribution in Brazil: MA, PI, RN, MT!, BA, MG, MS, RJ, PR.
Biological aspects: Four specimens were collected in small lotic environments of 2nd and 3rd order.
Comments: This species occurs on all Brazilian macrorregions, except for the North, and is herein recorded
for the first time from MT (Fig. 2).
Material examined: PT 14, (1♂), [nº 3330]; (1♂, 1♀), [nº 3406], 06.XI.2007. PT 34, (1♂), [nº 3344],
06.XI.2007.
FIGURE 2. Predicted distribution of Brachymetra furva in Brazil based on literature and collections on eastern Mato
Grosso.

Brachymetra lata Shaw
Distribution in Brazil: RR, AP, PA, AM, MT, RO.

Biological aspects: Collected on small streams of 1st to 3rd order on the Pindaíba River Sub-basin.
Comments: In Brazil, this species is restricted to the North and Central-West, occurring on Amazon and
Cerrado biomes. It was previously recorded from MT on the Humboldt Reserve (Aripuanã) and the Tanguro Farm
(Querência) (Fernandes & Wanzeler 2010; Moreira et al. 2011b).
Material examined: PT 25, (1♂), [nº 3345], 06.X.2007. PT 19, (6♂), [nº 3347]; [nº3413], 01.X.2007.
Cylindrostethus Fieber (1 species)
Cylindrostethus palmaris Drake & Harris
Distribution in Brazil: RR, AP, PA, AM, MA, RN, MT, RO, BA, MG, MS, SP, RJ.
Biological aspects: Collections resulted in 14 specimens from small to medium size lotic environments on
MA-S and SM regions.
Comments: This is the widest distributed species of the genus in South America (Moreira 2013), and in Brazil
it has not been recorded only from the South.
Material examined: PT 21, (1♀), [nº 684], 04.IV.2004. PT 09 (1♂, 1♀), [nº 2430], 19.IX.2010. PT 42, (6♂),
[nº 2310], 23.V.2008. PT 48, (1♀), [nº 2316], 24.V.2008. PT 34, (1♀), [nº 2432], 22.I.2008. PT 35, (1♂, 1♀), [nº
2431], 05.XI.2007. PT 37, (1♂), [nº 2469], 18.IX.2007.
Halobatopsis Bianchi (1 species)
Halobatopsis platensis (Berg)
Distribution in Brazil: PI, MT, BA, MG, DF, MS, SP, RJ, PR, RS.
Biological aspects: Ten specimens have been collected on streams of 1st to 4th orders, on environments ranging
from well-conserved to altered by pasture.
Comments: This is the widest distributed of the four species of the genus and the only so far recorded from
Central-West Brazil, which is its westernmost limit (Rodrigues et al. 2012; Moreira 2013). It was previously
collected on MT by E. J. Fittkau in 1965, on the Roncador Mountain Range (Nieser 1970).
Material examined: PT 18, (1♀), [nº 2471], 01.X.2007. PT 52, (2♂, 2♀), [nº 2489]; (2♂, 2♀), [nº 4062],
20.XII. 2004. PT 16, (1♀), [nº 3527], 06.XI.2007.
Limnogonus Stål (4 species, 1 subspecies)
Limnogonus aduncus aduncus Drake & Harris
Distribution in Brazil: RR, PA, AM, PE, MT, MG, MS, ES, SP, RJ, PR, SC.
Biological aspects: Six specimens have been collected on a 2nd order stream with partial alteration of the
riparian vegetation by pasture and on a well-preserved 3rd order stream.
Comments: This species is widely distributed in South America and occurs on all Brazilian macrorregions,
usually associated with semi-lotic or lentic water. Specimens previously recorded from MT as this species by
Cabette et al. (2010) actually correspond to a mix of L. ignotus and L. profugus.
Material examined: PT 53, (2♂, 2♀), [nº 1349], 23.VII.2005. PT 26, (1♂), [nº 3762]; (1♂), [n 3764],
06.XI.2007.
Limnogonus ignotus Drake & Harris
Distribution in Brazil: PA, PE, MT, MG, DF, MS, RJ, SC, RS.
Biological aspects: Only three individuals of this species have been collected, all on semi-lotic environments.
Comments: This species has been recorded from all Brazilian macrorregions. Part of the specimens from MT
identified by Cabette et al. (2010) actually corresponds to L. profugus.
Material examined: PT 41, (1♀), [nº 2290]; (1♂), [nº 2294]; (1♂), [nº 2295], 25.V.2008.
Limnogonus profugus Drake & Harris
Distribution in Brazil: PB, PE, MT, GO, MG, MS, SP, RJ.
Biological aspects: Representatives of this species have been collected on 1st and 2nd order streams, lotic or semi-
lotic with hydrophytes.
Comments: This species is well-distributed in central Brazil, but is unknown from the North and South
macrorregions of the country. Part of the specimens from MT identified by Cabette et al. (2010) actually
corresponds to L. ignotus.
Material examined: PT 47, (1♀), [nº 2296], 24.V.2008. PT 41, (1♀), [nº 2298], 25.V.2008. PT 09, (1♀), [nº
2433], 19.IX.2010. PT 26, (1♀), [nº 3760], 06.XI.2007.
Limnogonus recurvus Drake & Harris
Distribution in Brazil: PA, AM, PE, MT, RO, MG, SP.

Biological aspects: Seven individuals of this species have been examined, all collected on highly illuminated
or very altered 1st order streams.
Comments: The geographical distribution of this species includes Bolivia and all macrorregions of Brazil,
except for the South.
Material examined: PT 44, (1♀), [nº 2019], 27.IX.2007. PT 10, (1♀), [nº 2434]; (1♀), [nº 3858]; (1♂, 1♀),
[nº 3859], 25.IX.2010. PT 29, (1♂), [nº 3761], 03.VIII.2007. PT 12, (1♂), [nº 3860], 24.IX.2010.
Neogerris Matsumura (4 species)
Neogerris lotus (White)
Distribution in Brazil: PA, AM, MT, DF.

Biological aspects: This species was quite common on the samples made, occurring from shaded places to
open areas of Cerrado.
Comments: This species is distributed from northern South America to MT and Peru, and in Brazil it is known
from the North and Central-West. The material identified by Cabette et al. (2010) actually corresponds to N.
lubricus.
Material examined: PT 43, (2♂, 1♀), [nº 2011], 25.IX.2007. PT 45, (1♂), [nº 2012], 26.IX.2007. PT 08 (22♂,
17♀), [nº 2492], 11.X.2003. PT 11, (1♀), [nº 2497), 17.IX.2010. PT 10, (1♂), [nº 3850], 25.IX.2010.
Neogerris lubricus (White)
Distribution in Brazil: AP, PA, AM, MT, RO, BA, MG, MS, SP, RJ.
Biological aspects: This species was almost as common as N. lotus and has been collected on slow running
areas or pools of 1st to 3rd order streams.
Comments: This species occurs on all Brazilian macrorregions except for the South, where it might be
collected in the future, considering its presence in Paraguay and Argentina.

Material examined: PT 01, (1♂), [nº 992], 17.VII.2003. PT 44, (1♂), [nº 2010], 27.IX.2007; (2♂, 1♀), [nº
2017], 27.IX.2007. PT 45, (3♂, 1♀), [nº 2013], 26.IX.2007. PT 05, (3♂, 1♀), [nº 2429], 25.IX.2005. PT 23, (1♂,
4♀), [nº 2443], 19.IX.2007. PT 24, (1♂, 1♀), [nº 2463], 19.IX.2007. PT 37, (1♂), [nº 2468], 18.IX.2007. PT 08,
(1♂, 2♀), [nº 2478]; (2♂, 1♀), [nº 2493], 11.X.2003. PT 27, (1♂), [nº 3322], 01.10.2007; (1♂), [nº 3512],
13.IX.2007. PT 34, (1♂), [nº 3323], 18.I.2008.
Neogerris magnus (Kuitert)
Distribution in Brazil: AP, PA, AM, MT!

Biological aspects: The only examined specimen was collected on a spring surrounded by forest, but with
marks of cattle on the floor.
Comments: This species is herein recorded for the first time from the Central-West (Fig. 3). The distribution
modeling showed low environmental suitability for the species on MT, contrary to areas on the northern Brazil,
where it was previously recorded, and on Northeast and Southeast, where is has not yet been collected.
Material examined: PT 29, (1♂), [nº 3318], 27.IX.2007.
Neogerris visendus (Drake and Harris)
Distribution in Brazil: RR, PA, AM, MT.

Comments: No material of this species has been examined, but it was previously recorded from MT on the
Humboldt Reserve (Aripuanã) and on the source-region of the Xingu River, on Canarana Municipality (Nieser
1970; Moreira et al. 2011).
Ovatametra Kenaga (1 species)
Ovatametra gualeguay Bachmann
Distribution in Brazil: MT!, MG, SP.

Biological aspects: Only two individuals of this species have been collected among the vegetation on a 4th
order stream.
Comments: Its records were previously restricted to Argentina and southeastern Brazil, where it occurs on
areas of Atlantic Forest. The species is herein recorded for the first time from the Central-West (Fig. 4) in areas of
Cerrado. According to the modeling, it has suitable areas for occurrence on central-southern Brazil and also a
discontinuous predicted distribution on AC, on the Amazon region.
Material examined: PT 31, (2♀), [nº 3748], 03.XI.2007, K. Dias-Silva leg.
Rheumatobates Bergroth (3 species, 2 subspecies)
Rheumatobates crassifemur crassifemur Esaki
Distribution in Brazil: PA, MT, MG, MS, SP, RJ.

Biological aspects: A total of 68 representatives of this species have been collected on a large plain lake.
Comments: This species is widely distributed in South America and in Brazil it occurs on the North, Central-
West and Southeast.
Material examined: PT 04, (1♂, 6♂, 3 nymphs), [nº 366], 17.VIII.2003; (8♂, 18♀), [nº 862], 25.V.2004;
(11♂, 13♀, 8 nymphs), [nº 2483], 17.VII.2003.
FIGURE 3. Predicted distribution of Neogerris magnus in Brazil based on literature and collections on eastern Mato
Grosso.
Rheumatobates crassifemur schroederi Hungerford
Distribution in Brazil: PA, AM, CE, RN, PE, MT, GO.

Comments: No representatives of this species have been found for the present study, however it was
previously collected on the study area at the source-region of the Xingu River, Municipality of Gaúcha do Norte
(Nieser 1970).

Rheumatobates hamatus Drake & Chapman
Distribution in Brazil: PA, MT!

Biological aspects: A single male of this species was collected on a 4th order stream among the marginal
vegetation.
Comments: Only the type-series of this species was previously known, and its distribution is herein expanded
to an area of Cerrado on the Central-West (Fig. 5).
Material examined: PT 31, (1♂), [nº 3775], 03.XI.2007, K. Dias-Silva leg.
FIGURE 4. Predicted distribution of Ovatametra gualeguay in Brazil based on literature and collections on eastern
Mato Grosso.
FIGURE 5. Predicted distribution of Rheumatobates hamatus in Brazil based on literature and collections on eastern
Mato Grosso.
Tachygerris Drake (2 species)
Tachygerris adamsoni (Drake)
Distribution in Brazil: PA, AM, PI, MT, MG, RJ.

Comments: No material of this species was examined, but it was included on the list because of the previous
records from Roncador Mountain Range (Água Boa) (Nieser 1970) and Tanguro Farm (Querência) (Fernandes &
Wanzeler 2010).

Tachygerris celocis (Drake & Harris)
Distribution in Brazil: PA, MT, MG.

Biological aspects: Representatives of this species have been collected on slow flowing, shaded areas of 1st to 3rd
order streams.
Comments: The species is known from northern South America to Peru, Bolivia, and southeastern Brazil.
Material examined: PT 53, (1 nymph), [nº 2491], 20.VII.2005. PT 11, (1♀), [nº 2496], 17.IX.2010. PT 17,
(4♀), [nº 3766], 01.XI.2007, H.S.R. Cabette et al. and K. Dias-Silva leg.
Telmatometra Bergroth (1 species)
Telmatometra parva Kenaga
Distribution in Brazil: AM, MT!

Biological aspects: Seven specimens have been collected on slow flowing areas or pools of 1st to 4th order
streams influenced by pasture on the margins.
Comments: The species is herein recorded for the first time from areas of Cerrado on central-western Brazil
(Fig. 6), being the first register since its description. Despite being very rarely collected, the modeling of
distribution shows that this species might occur on a wide geographical range in Brazil, except for the South and
areas northern to the Amazon River.
Material examined: PT 52, (4♂, 1♀), [nº 2488], 20.VII.2005. PT 26, (1♂), [nº 3753], 06.XI.2007. PT 16,
(1♂), [nº 3770], 06.XI.2007. H.S.R. Cabette et al. and K. Dias-Silva leg.
FAMILY HEBRIDAE (1 genus, 1 species)
Merragata White (1 species)
Merragata hebroides White
Distribution in Brazil: AM, MT, MS.

Comments: This species has not been sampled for the present study, but it was included on the list based on
the record from the Tanguro Farm (Querência) by Fernandes and Wanzeler (2010).
FAMILY HYDROMETRIDAE (1 genus, 3 species)
Hydrometra Latreille (3 species)
Hydrometra argentina Berg
Distribution in Brazil: AP, PA, AM, PB, MT, BA, MG, MS, SP, RJ, PR, SC, RS.
Biological aspects: A single male of this species has been collected on a sunny 1st order stream draining from
a dam.
Comments: This is the species of Hydrometra with the widest distribution in South America, but only one
specimen was caught on the sampling stations visited. Specimens from Nova Xavantina cited by Dias-Silva et al.
(2010) actually correspond to a mix of H. comata and H. guianana.
Material examined: PT 46, (1♂), [nº 2081], 28.IX.2007.
FIGURE 6. Predicted distribution of Telmatometra parva in Brazil based on literature and collections on eastern Mato
Grosso.
Hydrometra comata Torre-Bueno
Distribuição da espécie: PA, MT!

Biological aspects: The examined specimens have been collected on slow flowing areas of a 2nd order stream
with presence of marginal vegetation.
Comments: Part of the specimens recorded as H. argentina by Dias-Silva et al. (2010) were misidentified and
correspond to those mentioned below. They were the first representatives of H. comata found in Brazil, on the
Cerrado biome (Fig. 7). The species was later recorded from the Amazon biome by Moreira and Campos (2012).
Material examined: PT 26, (2♀, 1♂), [nº 3777, 3780 e 3785], 13.IX.2007 and 16.I.2008, K. Dias-Silva leg.

FIGURE 7. Predicted distribution of Hydrometra comata in Brazil based on literature and collections on eastern Mato
Grosso.
Hydrometra guianana Hungerford & Evans
Distribuição no Brazil: PA, AM, MT.

Biological aspects: Collections resulted in 11 individuals of this species, found in 2nd to 3rd order streams,
usually on pools. On the case of station PT 26, specimens were collected on remaining pools on the river bed,
which was almost dry between September and November.
Comments: The geographical distribution of this species is similar to H. comata, extending from Trinidad &
Tobago and northern South America to areas of Cerrado on eastern MT. Dias-Silva et al. (2010) mistakenly
identified some specimens of this species as H. argentina.
Material examined: PT 53, (1♀), [nº 1334], 23.VII.2005. PT 26, (4♂, 4♀), [nº 2438, 3778, 3781, 3782 e
3783], 06.XI.2007 and 13.IX.2007. PT 23, (1♀), [nº 2442], 19.IX.2007. PT 27, (1♂), [nº 3784], 01.XI.2007,
H.S.R. Cabette et al. and K. Dias-Silva leg.
FAMILY MESOVELIIDAE (1 genus, 2 species)
Mesovelia Mulsant & Rey (2 species)
Mesovelia amoena Uhler
Distribution in Brazil: PA, AM, CE, MT, RO, MG, ES, SP, RJ.
Biological aspects: Three specimens have been collected among submerged grass on the 4th order Suiazinho
River, on an area of pasture and narrow marginal vegetation.
Comments: In Brazil, this species has not been recorded only from the South. It was previously collected on
the same region as the specimens below by Fernandes and Wanzeler (2010).
Material examined: PT 50, (3♀), [nº 2319], 25.V.2008.
Mesovelia mulsanti White
Distribution in Brazil: AP, PA, AM, CE, PE, MT, RO, BA, GO, MG, MS, SP, RJ, PR, SC, RS.
Biological aspects: A single male from the Xingu River Basin was collected on the same conditions as the
specimens of M. amoena mentioned above.
Comments: This is one of the species of Gerromorpha with the greatest geographical distribution, being
common in lentic environments with presence of vegetation.
Material examined: PT 50, (1♂), [nº 2317], 25.V.2008.
FAMILY VELIIDAE (6 genera, 26 species)
Euvelia Drake (2 species)
Euvelia advena Drake
Distribution in Brazil: AM, TO, MT, RO.

Biological aspects: Collections resulted in 16 specimens from lakes and marginal pools of rivers and larger
streams.
Comments: This species is known from Peru, Bolivia and areas of the Amazon and Cerrado biomes on
northern and central-western Brazil.
Material examined: PT 05, (2♂, 3♀), [nº 250], 08.XII.2003; (2♂, 1♂) [nº 631], 20.VI.2004. PT 49, (1♂), [nº
2046], 25.IX.2007. PT 50, (1♂, 3♀), [nº 2271], 25.V.2008. PT 31, (3♀), [nº 2462], 03.V.2008.
Euvelia lata Polhemus & Polhemus
Distribution in Brazil: PA, AM, MT!

Biological aspects: Both males examined have been collected on a lake formed by a river meander.
Comments: The distribution of this species was previously restricted to Amazon areas on northern Brazil, and
is herein expanded to a Cerrado region on the Central-West (Fig. 8).
Material examined: PT 03, (2♂), [nº 2476], 20.VI.2004.

FIGURE 8. Predicted distribution of Euvelia lata in Brazil based on literature and collections on eastern Mato Grosso.
Microvelia Westwood (6 species)
Microvelia argentata Nieser & Alkins-Koo
Distribution in Brazil: MT!

Biological aspects: A female of this species has been collected on a 2nd order portion of a stream with clear
water and well-preserved riparian vegetation. The substrate of the stream is composed by sand on riffles and leaf
litter on pools.
Comments: This species had been so far recorded from the type-locality in Trinidad & Tobago and northern
Argentina, and is herein recorded for the first time from Brazil (Fig. 9).
Material examined: PT 18, (1♀), [nº 3813], 11.IX.2007, K. Dias-Silva leg.
FIGURE 9. Predicted distribution of Microvelia argentata in Brazil based on literature and collections on eastern Mato
Grosso.
Microvelia hinei Drake
Distribution in Brazil: AM, MT!, MG, SP.

Biological aspects: Representatives of this species have been collected on a 1st order environment upstream of
a waterfall on a preserved stream with direct incidence of light. The marginal vegetation is composed by native
grass and few bushes, typical of the Cerrado.
Comments: This species is distributed from Canada to Argentina, but very few collections have been made on

tropical areas. In Brazil, it was previously known from the North and Southeast, being herein recorded for the first
time from the Central-West (Fig. 10).
Material examined: PT 12, (2♂, 2♀), [nº 2459], 24.IX.2010.
FIGURE 10. Predicted distribution of Microvelia hinei in Brazil based on literature and collections on eastern Mato
Grosso.
Microvelia inannana Drake & Hottes
Distribution in Brazil: MT, MG, SC.

Comments: No material of this species was examined, but it was previously recorded from the study area on
the Tanguro Farm (Querência) by Fernandes and Wanzeler (2010).
Microvelia quieta Drake & Carvalho
Distribution in Brazil: MT!, MG.

Biological aspects: Four specimens have been collected on 1st and 2nd order streams on areas of Cerrado
physiognomy.
Comments: Previous records of this species were restricted to southeastern Brazil (Nieser & Melo 1997), and
its distribution is herein expanded to the Central-West macrorregion of the country (Fig. 11).
Material examined: PT 20, (2♂, 1♀), [nº 650], 05.IV.2004. PT 10, (1♂), [nº 2455], 25.IX.2010.
FIGURE 11. Predicted distribution of Microvelia quieta in Brazil based on literature and collections on eastern Mato
Grosso.

Microvelia ubatuba Moreira & Barbosa
Distribution in Brazil: AM, MT!, SP.

Biological aspects: A couple was collected on a shaded area of a well-preserved 1st order stream.
Comments: This species was recently described from southeastern Brazil, later assigned to the northern
portion of the country, and is herein recorded for the first time from the Central-West (Fig. 12). Like many other
Neotropical Microvelia, M. ubatuba is very small and difficult to identify, which can explain the lack of records
inside its wide distributional area. The poor recording also lead the distributional modeling to assign the area where
it was collected out of its potential range.
Material examined: PT 17, (1♂, 1♀),), [nº 3811], 01.XI.2007.
FIGURE 12. Predicted distribution of Microvelia ubatuba in Brazil based on literature and collections on eastern Mato
Grosso.
Microvelia venustatis Drake & Harris
Distribution in Brazil: PA, AM, MA, MT!, MG, ES, SP, RJ, SC.
Biological aspects: The two specimens observed were collected on an intermittent stream that was reduced to
pools on November.
Comments: This species was known from all Brazilian macrorregions except for the Central-West, where it is
herein recorded for the first time (Fig. 13).
Material examined: PT 26 (1♂, 1♀),), [nº 3799], 06.XI.2007, K. Dias-Silva leg.
FIGURE 13. Predicted distribution of Microvelia venustatis in Brazil based on literature and collections on eastern Mato
Grosso.

Paravelia Breddin (2 species)
Paravelia conata (Hungerford)
Distribution in Brazil: PA, MT.

Biological aspects: A single female of this species was collected on the margins of a 2nd order portion of a
stream, together with M. venustatis, mentioned above.
Comments: The material mentioned below is the same examined by Rodrigues et al. (in press). The species
was known only from French Guiana and PA until this material was discovered, and in Brazil it is restricted to the
Amazon and Cerrado biomes.
Material examined: PT 26, (1♀), [nº 3733], 06.XI.2007, K. Dias-Silva leg.
Paravelia splendoris (Drake & Harris)
Distribution in Brazil: MT.

Biological aspects: Two specimens have been collected on shaded, riffle areas of 1st order streams with well-
developed riparian vegetation.
Comments: The material mentioned below is the same examined by Rodrigues et al. (in press). The
distribution of this species is restricted to MT and the Argentinean Chaco Province.
Material examined: PT 17, (1♂), [nº 1235], 15.I.2005. PT 32, (1♂), [nº 3741], 02.XI.2007. H.S.R. Cabette et
al. and Dias-Silva leg.
Platyvelia Polhemus & Polhemus (1 species)
Platyvelia brachialis (Stål)
Distribution in Brazil: PE, MT!, GO, MG, MS, ES, RJ, SC.
Biological aspects: Three individuals have been collected on pool areas of 2nd, 4th and 5th order streams with
submerged grass on margins.
Comments: This species is widely distributed in the Americas, from U.S.A. to Argentina, and in Brazil so far
there are no records only from the North (Fig. 14).
Material examined: PT 50, (1♀), [nº 2292], 25.V.2008. PT 31, (1♂), [nº 3732], 20.I.2008. PT 26, (1♀), [nº
3743], 16.I.2008.
Rhagovelia May (9 species)
Rhagovelia elegans Uhler
Distribution in Brazil: AP, PA, AM, MT, SE, ES, RJ.

Biological aspects: The collections resulted in 32 individuals of this species from riffle areas of 2nd order
streams with well-preserved riparian vegetation.
Comments: The geographical distribution of the species ranges from Hispaniola Island to RJ, Brasil.
Material examined: PT 08, (1♂, 2♀), [nº 97], 10.V.2003; (3♂), [nº 159], (1♀), [nº 2475], 30.IV.2003. PT 21,
(10♀), [nº659], 04.VI.2003. PT 51, (14♀), [nº 1344], 20.VII.2005. PT 19, (1♂), [nº 2784], 11.IX.2007. PT 10,
(1♀), [nº 3849], 25.IX.2010.
FIGURE 14. Predicted distribution of Platyvelia brachialis in Brazil based on literature and collections on eastern Mato
Grosso.
Rhagovelia hambletoni Drake & Harris
Distribution in Brazil: MT!, BA, MG, MS, ES, SP, RJ.

Biological aspects: A total of 12 specimens collected on shaded streams with or without riparian vegetation
have been examined.
Comments: The potential distribution of R. hambletoni (Fig. 15) includes areas from the Northeast, Southeast,
Central-West, and South macrorregions of Brazil, but the species has not yet been collected on the last portion of
the country.
Material examined: PT 42, (1♀), [nº 2123], 19.XII.2007. PT 47, (3♂), [nº 2162], 23.IX.2007. PT 48, (1♂), [n
2279], (1♀), [n 2285], 24.V.2008. PT 40, (2♂ e 1♀), [n 2460], 18.IX.2007. PT 06, (3♂, 1♀), [n 3857], 18.IX.2010.

FIGURE 15. Predicted distribution of Rhagovelia hambletoni in Brazil based on literature and collections on eastern
Mato Grosso.
Rhagovelia ochroischion Nieser & Melo
Distribution in Brazil: MT, MG.

Comments: No specimens of R. ochroischion have been examined, but the species was recorded from the
study area on Tanguro Farm (Querência) by Fernandes and Wanzeler (2010).
Rhagovelia rivulosa Polhemus & Polhemus
Distribution in Brazil: MT, MG, SC.

Biological aspects: Collections resulted in 19 specimens from fast flowing narrow streams shaded by the
riparian forest, streams on rupestrian field with high illumination, on a stream draining from a dam, and on the
Suiá-Miçú River. This wide variety of habitats indicates low environmental requirements for the occurrence of the
species.
Comments: So far this species has been recorded only from the Cerrado and Atlantic Forest of Brazil.
Material examined: PT 46, (1♀), [nº 2024], 28.IX.2007. PT 42, (1♀), [nº 2048], 27.IX.2007; (5♀), [nº 2283],
23.V.2008. PT 49, (1♀), [nº 2115], 20.XII.2007. PT 09, (2♂), [nº 2449], 19.IX.2010. PT 07, (1♂), [nº2457],
26.IX.2010; (3♂, 1♀), [nº 3863], 26.IX.2010; (1♂), [nº 3868], 26.IX.2010. PT 20, (1♀), [nº 2480], 05.IV.2004. PT
30, (2♀), [nº 2958], 03.XI.2007.
FIGURE 16. Predicted distribution of Rhagovelia robusta in Brazil based on literature and collections on eastern Mato
Grosso.

Rhagovelia robusta Gould
Distribution in Brazil: PA, SE, MT!, GO, MG, ES, SP, RJ, SC.
Biological aspects: More than 100 specimens have been collected on narrow streams of 1st to 3rd orders
presenting from well-preserved riparian vegetation to pasture on the margins and on a 5th order river.
Comments: This species has a wide geographical distribution, occurring on all Brazilian macrorregions, but is
herein recorded for the first time from MT (Fig. 16). So far it has been found on Amazon, Atlantic Forest and
Cerrado biomes. According to the modeling, the potential distribution of R. robusta ranges from the southern
portion of northeastern Brazil to the southern area of the country, including small areas of the northern states of PA
and RO.
Material examined: PT 08, (18♂, 16♀), [nº 15], 30.IV.2003; (1♂, 1♀), [nº 35], (2♂, 4♀), [nº 100], (6♂, 6♀),
[nº 116], (2♂), [nº 118], (1♂), [nº 145], 10.V.2003; (2♀), [nº 362], 17.II.2004; (3♀), [nº 430], (2♂), [nº440],
06.IV.2004. PT 20, (17♀), [nº 134], 10.VI.2003. PT 38, (4♂, 1♀), [nº 452], 23.IX.2003. PT 42, (3♀), [nº 2172],
27.IX.2007. PT 15, (1♂), [nº2931], 12.IX.2007. PT 14, (2♂), [nº 2940, nº2965], 06.XI.2007; (3♂), [nº 2967],
16.IX.2007. PT 32, (7♀), [nº 3154], 02.VII.2007.
Rhagovelia sooretama Moreira, Nessimian & Rúdio
Distribution in Brazil: MT!, MG, ES, RJ, PR.

Biological aspects: Three specimens have been collected on the same second order stream. The substrate was
composed of thin gravel in erosional areas and leaf litter on depositional areas, and the stream had narrow riparian
vegetation in only one of the margins. There were signs of cattle on the ground and on the stream.
Comments: This recently described species was previously known from the Southeast and South Brazilian
macrorregions, being herein recorded for the first time from the Central-West in an area of Cerrado-Amazon
transition (Fig. 17).
Material examined: PT 47, (2♂, 1♀), [nº 2281], 24.V.2008.
Rhagovelia tenuipes Champion
Distribution in Brazil: RR, PA, AM, MT!, MG, MS, ES, SP, RJ.
Biological aspects: A very common species on the studied area, with 82 collected specimens from flowing
water-bodies ranging from springs to 4th order streams with variable degree of impact on the margins.
Comments: This species ranges from Mexico to Peru, and in Brazil has not yet been recorded from the
Northeast and South, being found on the country on Amazon, Cerrado, and Atlantic Forest biomes (Fig. 18).
Material examined: PT 21, (4♂, 3♀), [nº 573]; (4♂, 8♀), [nº 586], 04.VI.2003; (7♂ e 2♀), [nº 620]; (3♂), [nº
649]; (1♂, 2♀), [nº 683], 04.IV.2004. PT 20, (3♂, 1♀), [nº 584], 04.VI.2003. PT 22, (1♂), [nº 635], 04.IV.2004. PT
47, (7♂), [nº 2170], 23.IX.2007. PT 24, (2♀), [nº 2464], 19.IX.2007. PT 16, (1♀), [nº 2877], 24.I.2008. PT 28,
(22♂, 2♀), [nº 3107]; (7♂, 2♀), [nº 4063], 06.VIII.2007.
Rhagovelia whitei (Breddin)
Distribution in Brazil: PA, MA, MT, GO, MG, MS, SP.

Biological aspects: Rhagovelia whitei is even more common and widespread on eastern MT than R. tenuipes.
More than 100 specimens have been collected on 1st and 2nd order streams flowing through rupestrian Cerrado and
well-preserved gallery forests.
Comments: This species occurs on Paraguay, northern, central-western, and southeastern Brazil, where it was
recorded from Amazon, Cerrado, and Atlantic Forest biomes. The material recorded by Dias-Silva et al. (2010) as
R. traili actually corresponds to R. whitei.
Material examined: PT 08, (1♂), [nº 115], 30.IV.2003. PT 09, (4♂, 2♀), [nº 2448], 19.IX.2010. PT 07, (2♂,
2♀), [nº 2447]; (2♂), [nº 2456]; (1♂, 1♀), [nº 3861]; (1♂), [nº 3869], 26.IX.2010. PT 12, (4♂, 5♀), [nº 2450]; (3♂,
4♀), [nº 2451]; 3♂, 6♀), [nº 2453]; (2♂, 4♀), [nº 3864]; (1♂, 1♀), [nº 3867], 24.IX.2010. PT 10, (7♂, 8♀), [nº
3848], 25.IX.2010. PT 11, (1♂), [nº 2495]; (4♂, 1♀), [nº 2498]; (3♂, 1♀), [nº 2499], 17.IX.2010. PT 33, (1♂, 1♀),
[nº 2586], 02.XI.2007; (3♂), [nº 2912], 03.VIII.2007; (1♂), [nº 3146], 02.XI.2007. PT 32, (3♀), [nº 2787]; (3♂),
[nº 3087], 02.XI.2007; (1♂), [nº 2987], 02.VII.2007. PT 13, (1♀), [nº 2793], 06.XI.2007; (2♂), [nº 3661],
06.XI.2007. PT 14, (1♀), [nº 2857], 16.IX.2007. PT 17, (5♀), [nº 2964], 11.IX.2007. PT 20, (1♂), [nº 678]; (1♂,
1♀), [nº 680]; (3♂, 3♀), [nº 670]; (1♀), [nº 689]; (1♂), [nº 676]; (1♂), [nº 690]; (2♀), [nº 697], 05.IV.2004.
FIGURE 17. Predicted distribution of Rhagovelia sooretama in Brazil based on literature and collections on eastern
Mato Grosso.

FIGURE 18. Predicted distribution of Rhagovelia tenuipes in Brazil based on literature and collections on eastern Mato
Grosso.
Rhagovelia zela Drake
Distribution in Brazil: MT!, MG, MS, ES, SP, RJ, SC.

Biological aspects: A total of 15 individuals have been collected on 1st to 4th order streams in environments
ranging from well-preserved to altered by pasture.
Comments: The previous known geographical distribution of this species included portions of the South and
Southeast, being herein expanded to the Central-West (Fig. 19). It has so far been recorded from Cerrado and
Atlantic Forest biomes.
Material examined: PT 36, (3♂, 2♀), [nº 2467], 18.IX.2007. PT 28, (2♂, 2♀), [nº 2477], 06.VIII.2007. PT
33, (6♀), [nº 2919], 17.I.2008.
FIGURE 19. Predicted distribution of Rhagovelia zela in Brazil based on literature and collections on eastern Mato
Grosso.
Steinovelia Polhemus & Polhemus (1species)
Steinovelia virgata (White)
Distribution in Brazil: PA, AM, MT, MG, MS, SC.

Comments: No specimens of S. virgata have been collected for the present study, but it was previously
recorded from the area on the Tanguro Farm (Querência) by Fernandes and Wanzeler (2010).

Stridulivelia Hungerford (5 species)
Stridulivelia astralis (Drake & Harris)
Distribution in Brazil: TO, MT, MG, MS.

Biological aspects: A single representative of this species has been collected on a lentic environment with
hydrophytes, but the species had previously been found also on running water (Polhemus & Spangler 1995).
Comments: The distribution of S. astralis includes Argentina, Paraguay and the North, Central-West, and
Southeast macrorregions of Brazil, where it was collected on the Cerrado and Pantanal biomes. The species had
been previously recorded from the study area on the upper Xingu River Basin (Gaúcha do Norte) by Polhemus and
Spangler (1995).
Material examined: PT 02, (1♀), [nº 972], 22.V.2004.
Stridulivelia quadrispinosa (Hungerford)
Distribution in Brazil: PA, MT!, MG, ES, RJ.

Biological aspects: Several specimens have been found on preserved 1st and 2nd order streams, usually
associated to wood and roots.
Comments: The known distribution of the species in Brazil included areas of the North and Southeast and is
herein expanded into the Central-West (Fig. 20).
Material examined: PT 08, (1♀), [nº 442]; (1♀), [nº 997]; (1♂, 1♀), [nº 999]; (1♀), [nº 1000]; (1♂, 3♀), [nº
1039], 06.IV.2004. PT 52, (10♂, 9♀), [nº 2470], 20.VII.2005.
Stridulivelia stridulata (Hungerford)
Distribution in Brazil: AP, PA, AM, MT!

Biological aspects: A couple of this species was collected in two narrow, shallow streams with gallery forest
on the margins and roots on the edges.
Comments: This species had previously been recorded from Colombia, Suriname, and northern Brazil, being
herein reported from the Central-West for the first time (Fig. 21). In Brazil, it has been collected on Amazon and
Cerrado biomes.
Material examined: PT 08, (1♂), [nº 436], 06.IV.2004. PT 53, (1♀), [nº 1317], 23.VII.2005.
Stridulivelia strigosa (Hungerford)
Distribution in Brazil: AP, PA, AM, MT.

Comments: No representatives of this species have been collected for the present study, but it was previously
recorded from the area on the Roncador Mountain Range (Água Boa) by Polhemus and Spangler (1995).
Stridulivelia tersa (Drake and Harris)
Distribution in Brazil: PA, AM, MT, MG, ES.

Biological aspects: The most common and widespread of the Stridulivelia on eastern MT, being found from
narrow streams with gallery forest on margins to highly illuminated and impacted streams, but usually with roots
on the edges.
Comments: In Brazil, the species is distributed on the North, Southeast and Central-West, on Amazon,
Cerrado, and Atlantic Forest biomes.
Material examined: PT 08, (1♂), [nº 4], 30.V.2003. PT 20, (1♂), [nº 679], 05.IV.2004. PT 55, (1♂), [nº 1290],
27.VII.2005. PT 51, (1♂), [nº 1298], 20.VII.2005; (1♀), [nº 1390], 20.VII.2005; (1♂, 1♀), [nº 1393], 20.VII.2005.
PT 54, (10♂, 15♀), [nº 1366], 20.VII.2005. PT 45, (1♂), [nº 2032], 26.IX.2007. PT 29, (1♀), [nº 2418]; (4♂, 2♀),
[nº 2439]; (1♀), [nº 2440], 06.V.2008. PT 09, (3♀), [nº 2444]; (1♂, 7♀), [nº 2445], 19.IX.2010. PT 39, (1♂), [nº
2466], 25.I.2008.
FIGURE 20. Predicted distribution of Stridulivelia quadrispinosa in Brazil based on literature and collections on eastern
Mato Grosso.

FIGURE 21. Predicted distribution of Stridulivelia stridulata in Brazil based on literature and collections on eastern
Mato Grosso.
Discussion
The present study adds 20 species to the fauna of Gerromorpha from eastern Mato Grosso, increasing the known
diversity of the area by 62%, (based on Moreira 2013). Additionally, a reference collection from the region was
created with a total of 44 of the 52 species recorded from the area, which represents 23% of the Gerromorpha from
Brazil. Further collecting in central and western Mato Grosso will increase the number of species known from the
state and the Central-West of Brazil. The models of potential distribution suggest further geographical expansions
for several species, which corroborates with the affirmation that faunistic surveys are still very scarce.
When the distributional maps are analyzed, it becomes clear that the fauna of Gerromorpha from the Southeast is
well-known and that there is a great gap of records from areas on the north drainage of the Amazon River (specially
Amapá and Roraima), the Caatinga biome (interior of the Northeast region), humid areas of the Chaco on the
extreme south of the country, and the Pantanal (Mato Grosso and Mato Grosso do Sul). This result corroborates
with what is known as Wallacean defficit (Whittaker 2005), where the geographical distributions are still unknown
and there are gaps for many taxonomic groups (Bini et al. 2006). This is a reflect of the spatial discontinuity of
collections, and can only be solved with an increase of the studies in such regions, which will also provide a better
view of the degree of endemicity in each biome and the distribution of rare species.
Acknowledgements
This study was possible due to scholarships provided by CAPES/DS to NFSG and CCN, and CNPQ to KD-S and
funding provided by several institutions (CNPq nº 520345/99-1, nº 520268-2005-09, CNPq –PELD 558069/2009-
6; FAPEMAT nº 098/04, nº 0907/2006, nº 465866/2009; MMA-Probio nº 680020/02-0). The authors would like to
thank all members of the research group at UNEMAT for the help provided on field work and organization of the
data.
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Zootaxa 3736 (3): 201–235 ISSN 1175-5326 (print edition)

Gerromorpha (Hemiptera: Heteroptera) of eastern Mato Grosso State, Brazil:

Key words: Aquatic insects, biogeography, semiaquatic bugs, taxonomy

Palavras-chave: Biogeografia, insetos aquáticos, percevejos semi-aquáticos, taxonomia

Accepted by M. Malipatil: 16 Oct. 2013; published: 13 Nov. 2013 201

Material and methods

202 · Zootaxa 3736 (3) © 2013 Magnolia Press DIAS-SILVA ET AL.

INFRAORDER GERROMORPHA (5 families, 19 genera, 52 species)

FAMILY GERRIDAE (9 genera, 20 species)

Brachymetra Mayr (3 species, 1 subspecies)

Brachymetra albinervis albinervis (Amyot & Serville)

204 · Zootaxa 3736 (3) © 2013 Magnolia Press DIAS-SILVA ET AL.

206 · Zootaxa 3736 (3) © 2013 Magnolia Press DIAS-SILVA ET AL.

Distribution in Brazil: RR, AP, PA, AM, MT, RO.

Cylindrostethus Fieber (1 species)

Cylindrostethus palmaris Drake & Harris

Halobatopsis Bianchi (1 species)

Halobatopsis platensis (Berg)

Limnogonus Stål (4 species, 1 subspecies)

Limnogonus aduncus aduncus Drake & Harris

Limnogonus profugus Drake & Harris

Limnogonus recurvus Drake & Harris

Distribution in Brazil: PA, AM, PE, MT, RO, MG, SP.

Neogerris Matsumura (4 species)

Neogerris lotus (White)

Distribution in Brazil: PA, AM, MT, DF.

Neogerris lubricus (White)

208 · Zootaxa 3736 (3) © 2013 Magnolia Press DIAS-SILVA ET AL.

Neogerris magnus (Kuitert)

Distribution in Brazil: AP, PA, AM, MT!

Neogerris visendus (Drake and Harris)

Distribution in Brazil: RR, PA, AM, MT.

Ovatametra Kenaga (1 species)

Ovatametra gualeguay Bachmann

Distribution in Brazil: MT!, MG, SP.

Rheumatobates Bergroth (3 species, 2 subspecies)

Rheumatobates crassifemur crassifemur Esaki

Distribution in Brazil: PA, MT, MG, MS, SP, RJ.

Rheumatobates crassifemur schroederi Hungerford

Distribution in Brazil: PA, AM, CE, RN, PE, MT, GO.

210 · Zootaxa 3736 (3) © 2013 Magnolia Press DIAS-SILVA ET AL.

Distribution in Brazil: PA, MT!

Tachygerris Drake (2 species)

Tachygerris adamsoni (Drake)

Distribution in Brazil: PA, AM, PI, MT, MG, RJ.

212 · Zootaxa 3736 (3) © 2013 Magnolia Press DIAS-SILVA ET AL.

Distribution in Brazil: PA, MT, MG.

Telmatometra Bergroth (1 species)

Telmatometra parva Kenaga

Distribution in Brazil: AM, MT!

FAMILY HEBRIDAE (1 genus, 1 species)

Merragata White (1 species)

Merragata hebroides White

Distribution in Brazil: AM, MT, MS.

FAMILY HYDROMETRIDAE (1 genus, 3 species)

Hydrometra Latreille (3 species)

Hydrometra argentina Berg

Hydrometra comata Torre-Bueno

Distribuição da espécie: PA, MT!

214 · Zootaxa 3736 (3) © 2013 Magnolia Press DIAS-SILVA ET AL.

Hydrometra guianana Hungerford & Evans

Distribuição no Brazil: PA, AM, MT.

FAMILY MESOVELIIDAE (1 genus, 2 species)