Katasophistes

Katasophistes is a Neotropical genus of water scavenger beetle in the family Hydrophilidae represented by four described species known from the Guiana Shield Region.

Taxonomy
The genus Katasophistes was described for the first time by Girón & Short in 2018.

It belongs in the subfamily Acidocerinae and contains four described species from Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela.

Description
Small beetles (2.7–4.5 mm), smooth and shiny dorsally, brown to dark brown in coloration, with long maxillary palps. A complete diagnosis was presented by Girón and Short.

Habitat
According to Girón and Short species known from Ecuador and Peru have been collected from forested stream pools with abundant detritus, whereas Katasophistes merida from Venezuela has been collected on seepages.

Species

 * 1) Katasophistes charynae Girón and Short, 2018
 * 2) Katasophistes cuzco Girón and Short, 2018
 * 3) Katasophistes merida Girón and Short, 2018
 * 4) Katasophistes superficialis Girón and Short, 2018