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Sphaerius

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Sphaerius
Sphaerius acaroides
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Arthropoda
Class:
Insecta
Order:
Coleoptera
Suborder:
Myxophaga
Superfamily:
Sphaeriusoidea
Family:
Sphaeriusidae

Erichson, 1845
Genus:
Sphaerius

Waltl, 1838
Species

see text

Wikispecies has information related to Sphaerius.

Sphaerius is a genus of beetle, comprising 23 species, which are the only members of the family Sphaeriusidae. They are typically found along the edges of streams and rivers, where they feed on algae, occurring on all continents except Antarctica. Only 3 species occur in the United States.

The overall form of the beetle is convex, glossy, dark brown or black with some markings possible. The head is prominent, with relatively large eyes set far apart, and capitate antennae. Total length ranges from 0.5–1.2 mm.

The beetles occur in a variety of damp environments, including mud, under stones, among plant roots and leaf litter, and in mosses in bogs. They store some air underneath their elytra.

Females produce a single large egg at a time.

The family was previously known as "Sphaeriidae", but the name was preoccupied by a family of freshwater clams. The name was inappropriately replaced with "Microsporidae" (by changing the genus name to Microsporus) but this act has very recently been superseded by a return to the use of Sphaerius and a re-formation of the family name as Sphaeriusidae. The position of the family within Coleoptera has also changed a number of times.

Species

References

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