A study on morphological variations of male Helophorus (Helophorus) aquaticus (L., 1758) (Coleoptera: Helophoridae) in Türkiye

The geographic structure of Türkiye is well-suited for determining species diversity and interspecific variation as Türkiye has many regions with different altitudes and ecological characteristics. A large number of specimens belonging to the Helophoridae family belonging to the order Coleoptera were collected from different regions of Turkey between 2007-2021, examined and kept as museum material. Among the museum materials evaluated in terms of variation, Helophorus (Helophorus) aquaticus (L., 1758) species were seen to be both more common and more diverse in each region. In this study, male specimens varying in color, size, pronotum, tarsi, and genital structure were selected among the samples collected from different regions and geographic locations within the same locality. A total of 17 different morphological variations were identified and listed by examining the pronotum, elytra, tarsi, and aedeagophore structures. The relationships of these variations with altitude have been evaluated. As a result of this study, it has been determined that variations of the same species can coexist in the same locality, as well as similar variations in localities in different geographical regions. In addition, it was determined that the size of the insects increased as the altitude increased.