The Gerromorpha comprise an

infraorder Order ( la, ordo) is one of the eight major hierarchical taxonomic ranks in Linnaean taxonomy. It is classified between family and class. In biological classification, the order is a taxonomic rank used in the classification of organisms and ...

insects Insects (from Latin ') are pancrustacean hexapod invertebrates of the class Insecta. They are the largest group within the arthropod phylum. Insects have a chitinous exoskeleton, a three-part body (head, thorax and abdomen), three pairs of j ...

in the "true bug" order

Hemiptera Hemiptera (; ) is an order (biology), order of insects, commonly called true bugs, comprising over 80,000 species within groups such as the cicadas, aphids, planthoppers, leafhoppers, Reduviidae, assassin bugs, Cimex, bed bugs, and shield bugs. ...

. These "typical" bugs (

suborder Order ( la, ordo) is one of the eight major hierarchical taxonomic ranks in Linnaean taxonomy. It is classified between family and class. In biological classification, the order is a taxonomic rank used in the classification of organisms and ...

Heteroptera The Heteroptera are a group of about 40,000 species of insects in the order Hemiptera. They are sometimes called "true bugs", though that name more commonly refers to the Hemiptera as a whole. "Typical bugs" might be used as a more unequivocal al ...

) are commonly called semiaquatic bugs or shore-inhabiting bugs. The

Ochteroidea Nepomorpha is an infraorder of insects in the "true bug" order (Hemiptera). They belong to the "typical" bugs of the suborder Heteroptera. Due to their aquatic habits, these animals are known as true water bugs. They occur all over the world ...

(infraorder

Nepomorpha Nepomorpha is an infraorder of insects in the "true bug" order (Hemiptera). They belong to the "typical" bugs of the suborder Heteroptera. Due to their aquatic habits, these animals are known as true water bugs. They occur all over the world o ...

are also found in shore habitat, while the Gerromorpha are actually most often encountered running around on the water surface, being kept from sinking by

surface tension Surface tension is the tendency of liquid surfaces at rest to shrink into the minimum surface area possible. Surface tension is what allows objects with a higher density than water such as razor blades and insects (e.g. water striders) to f ...

and their

water-repellent Waterproofing is the process of making an object or structure waterproof or water-resistant so that it remains relatively unaffected by water or resisting the ingress of water under specified conditions. Such items may be used in wet environme ...

legs. Well-known members of the Gerromorpha are the namesake

Gerridae The Gerridae are a family of insects in the order Hemiptera, commonly known as water striders, water skeeters, water scooters, water bugs, pond skaters, water skippers, or water skimmers. Consistent with the classification of the Gerridae as t ...

(water striders).

Systematics

The eight

family Family (from la, familia) is a Social group, group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or Affinity (law), affinity (by marriage or other relationship). The purpose of the family is to maintain the well-being of its ...

families usually recognized are arranged in four superfamilies. The two small or

monotypic In biology, a monotypic taxon is a taxonomic group (taxon) that contains only one immediately subordinate taxon. A monotypic species is one that does not include subspecies or smaller, infraspecific taxa. In the case of genera, the term "unispec ...

ones of these are basal lineages; the two larger ones form a more advanced

clade A clade (), also known as a monophyletic group or natural group, is a group of organisms that are monophyletic – that is, composed of a common ancestor and all its lineal descendants – on a phylogenetic tree. Rather than the English term, ...

. The

phylogenetic In biology, phylogenetics (; from Greek φυλή/ φῦλον [] "tribe, clan, race", and wikt:γενετικός, γενετικός [] "origin, source, birth") is the study of the evolutionary history and relationships among or within groups o ...

sequence of superfamilies and families of the Gerromorpha is:ToL (1995) * Mesovelioidea – water treaders ** Madeoveliidae (sometimes included in Mesoveliidae) **

Mesoveliidae Mesoveliidae is a family of water treaders in the order Hemiptera. There are about 16 genera and at least 50 described species in Mesoveliidae. Genera These 12 extant genera belong to the family Mesoveliidae: * '' Austrovelia'' Malipatil and Mo ...

* Hebroidea – velvet bugs **

Hebridae Velvet water bugs are members of the family Hebridae. They are semiaquatic insects that live among moss or ponds with an abundance of vegetation, in which they prey on small arthropods. Velvet water bugs are the smallest of the Gerromorpha, and h ...

( Hyrcaninae might arguably be considered a good family as the superfamily is monotypic otherwise.) * Hydrometroidea ** Paraphrynoveliidae **

Hydrometridae Hydrometridae is a family of semiaquatic insects, known as ''marsh treaders'' or ''water measurers''. They have a characteristic elongated head and body which makes them resemble a yardstick for measuring the water surface. Appearance Hydrometri ...

– water measurers **

Macroveliidae Macroveliidae is a family of macroveliid shore bugs in the order Hemiptera. There are at least four genera in Macroveliidae. Genera These four genera belong to the family Macroveliidae: * '' Chepuvelia'' China, 1963 * '' Macrovelia'' Uhler, 187 ...

Gerroidea Gerroidea is a superfamily of semiaquatic bugs in the order Hemiptera. There are at least 3 families and more than 2,000 described species in Gerroidea. Families These three families belong to the superfamily Gerroidea: * Gerridae Leach, 1815 ...

** Hermatobatidae **

– water striders **

Veliidae Veliidae is a family of gregarious predatory insects in the suborder Heteroptera. They are commonly known as riffle bugs, small water striders, or broad-shouldered water striders because the segment immediately behind the head is wider than the r ...

– riffle bugs

Systematics

References

Further reading