Genus Berosus Leach, 1817 in southern Iran (Coleoptera: Hydrophilidae)

Abstract

A faunistic study on the Berosus species in five southern provinces of Iran is presented. A total of 2415 specimens of Berosus species were collected in Bushehr, Fars, Kerman, Hormozgan and Kohgiluyeh -and- Boyer-Ahmad provinces from 1970 to 2003 and during 2012. The species represent including Berosus asiaticus, Berosus bispina, Berosus chinensis, Berosus spinosus, Berosus insolitus, Berosus nigriceps and Berosus pulchellus. A comparison between recent samplings and old ones showed a drastic reduction in number of specimens, habitats and species diversity which could be due to rapid urban developments, habitat/ water pollution and drought. Some species such as Berosus chinensis, Berosus insolitus and Berosus nigriceps was not found again in recent collecting attempts because of destruction of natural habitats.