Advances in aquatic insect systematics and biodiversity in the Neotropics: introduction

The Neotropical Region or Neotropics, contains vast expanses of rain forest and river systems representing some of the most biologically diverse ecosystems on Earth, but much of its resident biota remains undescribed and undocumented, and some of it is at risk of extirpation and extinction. Anthropogenic disturbances, especially deforestation, urbanization, and climate change, threaten the integrity of the Neotropics and its biodiversity. In the Neotropics, freshwater habitats are particularly susceptible to environmental stressors and freshwater species throughout the Neotropics have experienced marked declines greater than those of other groups when compared to marine and terrestrial systems. Advances in taxonomic descriptions, preparation of keys, and faunal assessments will aid future studies as well as conservation efforts

The Naucoridae (Heteroptera: Nepomorpha) of Belize

Few regional faunistic treatments of aquatic Heteroptera exist for Mesoamerica. Records given here are the result of three extensive, coincident projects, each generating many specimens of Naucoridae. Thus, presented here is an annotated list of Naucoridae occurring in Belize, with an illustrated taxonomic key and notes on habitat. Three species are new country records, and ten species in four genera are now known from Belize

Chapter 10 – Grunas

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