Okalia necopinata sp. nov. (Insecta, Coleoptera, Elmidae) from Gunung Mulu National Park in Sarawak (Malaysia)

Researchers have identified and described a new species of riffle beetle, Okalia necopinata sp. nov., from Gunung Mulu National Park in Sarawak, Malaysia. This discovery was achieved by combining morphological analysis with molecular data, specifically the standard barcoding fragment of the mitochondrial gene coding for cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI). The study highlights key distinguishing features such as the length of the granulated fifth elytral interval, elytral and pronotal punctation, aedeagal morphology, and the distal portion of the ovipositor. Notably, most examined Okalia species are flightless, inhabiting shallow streams within dense primary forests in limestone areas across West and East Malaysia. The identification key provided aids in distinguishing this new species from its known counterparts.

Kodada, J., Jäch, M. A., Selnekovič, D., & Goffová, K. (2022). Okalia necopinata sp. nov. (Insecta, Coleoptera, Elmidae) from Gunung Mulu National Park in Sarawak (Malaysia). ZooKeys, 1092, 79–92. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1092.79635