© by PSP Volume 23 – No 8a. 2014 Fresenius Environmental Bulletin 1979 NOTES ON AQUATIC BEETLE (COLEOPTERA: HELOPHORIDAE) KNOWLEDGE OF ISPARTA PROVINCE (TURKEY) WITH NEW LOCALITY RECORDS Ayçin Yılmaz, Ebru Gül Aslan* and Yusuf Ayvaz Süleyman Demirel University, Faculty of Arts and Science, Biology Department, 32260, Isparta, Turkey ABSTRACT A total of 9 species belonging to the single Helo- phoridae genus, Helophorus, were recorded from Isparta province of Turkey. The study was conducted between the months of April and October in Isparta and adjacent areas during 2009-2010. The species are given together with general and local distributions, data collected on material, and a ‘remarks’ section for some taxonomic and ecologi- cal information. Seven of the species were recorded for the first time from the area. The determined habitat pref- erences of the species were summarized and obtained data were ecologically discussed. Habitus and genitalia photos of each species are included. KEYWORDS: Coleoptera, Helophoridae, fauna, habitat prefer- ences, Isparta, Turkey 1. INTRODUCTION The Helophoridae is a small hydrophiloid family clas- sified into a single genus, Helophorus Fabricius, 1775. The genus includes about 200 species distributed over most of the world except the Neotropical and Australian regions, and the generality of species (more than 150 species) occur in Palearctic region. Although there are 41 species re- corded from Nearctic region, the family is represented with only a few species in Afrotropical and Oriental re- gions [1, 2]. In Central Europe, the genus comprises about 30 often very similar species [3]. The Turkish Helophori- dae fauna involves 48 species and 2 subspecies belonging to 7 subgenera namely Helophorus, Orphelophorus, Rho- palohelophorus, Transithelophorus, Empleurus, Eutrichelo- phorus and Trichohelophorus [4]. Species of Helophoridae can be easily distinguished from other members of the aquatic Coleoptera by the presence of 5 longitudinal furrows on the pronotum. The separation and identification of the adult species is rather * Corresponding author difficult in some groups due to the uniform morphology [1]. Most of the species are aquatic, with the exception of several terrestrial species belonging to the subgenus Em- pleurus. Adult beetles usually prefer small water bodies and their shores, ranging from sea level to the alpine zone of high mountains [3]. Standing shallow waters with rich organic debris and transition zones between water and land including debris, sand, mud, moss or other vegetation are the preferred areas where they often occur in large numbers [5, 6]. The larvae are solely terrestrial, living in moist habitats close to water and feeding on various small invertebrate. However, there are a few species of which larvae prefer various Brassicaceae or Poaeceae as food source [2]. The main aim of the present study is to determine the species composition of Helophoridae existing in the re- search area and to review the habitat preferences of the adult beetles. The study will be a preliminary step in order to detect the Helophoridae fauna of southern parts of Turkey where the group is poorly studied. 2. MATERIALS AND METHODS 2.1 Study site Isparta province and its surroundings constitute a sig- nificant part of the “Lakes District” which is located at the junction point of Aegean, Mediterranean and Central Anatolia regions in southern Turkey. The area contains many water sources of various sizes within the bounda- ries, including Eğirdir Lake, Beyşehir Lake and Kovada Lake National Park. There are also numerous stagnant water sources, springs, vegetated water pools and stream banks located in different districts. Hence, the research area has rather suitable conditions and habitats for aquatic beetles. 2.2 Sampling method Field surveys were performed from April to October in 2009 and 2010. Specimens were collected by using a sieve, ladle or net with a diameter of 1-2 mm pore, from