The genus Lacconectus Motschulsky, 1855 in Laos (Coleoptera, Dytiscidae): New species and new data

The Laotian fauna of the diving beetle genus Lacconectus Motschulsky, 1855 is reviewed. Eight new species are described: L. atlas sp.nov., L. attapeu sp.nov., L. hajeki sp.nov., L. haucki sp.nov., L. namkading sp.nov., L. reumauxi sp.nov., L. savannakhet sp.nov. and L. vongsanai sp.nov. The new species are illustrated and compared to their nearer relatives. New faunistic data for Laos and some adjacent countries are given. Apart from many new province records within Laos, L. merguiensis Brancucci, 1986, L. tonkinoides Brancucci, 1986 and L. valeriae Brancucci, 2004 are new for the fauna of Laos and L. schillhammeri Brancucci, 2003 is new for Vietnam. A key is provided for the identification of species. Distribution maps are given for all 21 species occurring in Laos.