| A great number of beetles are adapted to an aquatic existence encompassing a large diversity of habitats and life histories. These belong to families Hydrophilidae and Dytiscidae. During the present investigations, two species of Family Hydrophilidae viz. Sternolophus rufipes, Regimbartia attenuata and two species of Family Dytiscidae viz. Dysticus marginalis (Subfamily Dytsicinae) and Hydroporus pubescens (Subfamily Hydroporinae) have been analysed for their chromosome numbers, sex-mechanisms and meiotic behaviour. Aquatic beetles have nutritional value, some economists have investigated the potential for edible insects to provide income and generate jobs for the rural population. Identification is of fundamental importance in diversity studies in a variety of different ways. Cytogenetic information of these species will be helpful in providing inputs for construction of integrated cytological map with molecular linkage map to reveal the function and structure of the chromosome. Inspite of many taxonomic studies on aquatic beetles, there has been fewer attempts to explore the karyology of aquatic beetles. Karyological studies provide important information on the genetic structure, life cycles and ecological characteristics, evolution, taxonomy, and phylogeny of insects. Chromosomal rearrangements can be used for the ecological monitoring of various insect populations and for pest control
Keywords: Hydrophilidae, Dysticidae, Dabbing, Karyotypes, Bisexual |