Dytiscidae

The Dytiscidae, from the Ancient Greek word δυτικός (dutikós), meaning "able to dive", are the predaceous diving beetles, a family of water beetles. They occur in virtually any freshwater habitat around the world, but a few species live in terrestrial habitats such as among leaf litter. The "diving" in their common name comes from their cycling between underwater and the surface to replenish oxygen like a diver. The adults of most are between 1 and 2.5 cm (0.4–1.0 in) long, though much variation is seen between species. The European Dytiscus latissimus and Brazilian Bifurcitus ducalis are the largest, reaching up to 4.5 and 4.75 cm respectively, although the latter is listed as extinct by the IUCN. In contrast, the smallest is likely the Australian Limbodessus atypicali of subterranean waters, which only is about 0.9 mm (0.035 in) long. Most are dark brown, blackish, or dark olive in color with golden highlights in some subfamilies. The larvae are commonly known as water tigers due to their voracious appetite. They have short, but sharp mandibles, and immediately upon biting, they deliver digestive enzymes into prey to suck their liquefied remains. The family includes more than 4,000 described species in numerous genera. The oldest of the species is †Palaeodytes gutta, from the Late Jurassic according to Karabastau Formation fossils.

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