Copelatus basilewskyi is a species of predaceous diving beetle in the family Dytiscidae. It belongs to the genus Copelatus, which comprises a large number of small to medium‑sized aquatic beetles distributed worldwide, especially in tropical and subtropical regions.
Taxonomic classification
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Class: Insecta
- Order: Coleoptera
- Family: Dytiscidae
- Subfamily: Copelatinae
- Genus: Copelatus
- Species: Copelatus basilewskyi
General characteristics
Members of the genus Copelatus are adapted for an aquatic lifestyle: they have streamlined bodies, flattened hind‑legs with swimming hairs, and air‑storage adaptations that allow them to remain submerged while hunting. Like other dytiscids, they are predators, feeding on a variety of aquatic invertebrates and occasionally small vertebrates.
Distribution and habitat
Specific distribution data for C. basilewskyi are not widely documented in accessible encyclopedic sources. The species name suggests a possible connection to the African entomologist Pierre Basilewsky, implying that the beetle may occur in parts of Africa, but precise range and habitat preferences cannot be confirmed without further taxonomic literature.
Authority and description
The original description, including the author and year of publication for Copelatus basilewskyi, is not readily available in major public databases. Consequently, the formal citation for this species remains indeterminate in publicly accessible encyclopedic references.
Conservation status
No assessment of the conservation status of Copelatus basilewskyi has been published by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) or similar organizations. Its population trends and potential threats are therefore uncertain.
Notes
- The epithet basilewskyi is likely an eponym honoring the entomologist Pierre Basilewsky (1920–1993), who made significant contributions to the study of African beetles.
- Further information on this species may be found in specialized taxonomic catalogues, regional faunal surveys, or original scientific publications describing the species.
