Challenges and Advances Driving Studies on Aquatic Insects of the Order Coleoptera

ABSTRACT Aquatic beetles (Coleoptera) are known for their high taxonomic and ecological diversity and their sensitivity to environmental changes, making them key bioindicators in ecological assessments. However, numerous knowledge gaps persist globally. The objective of this study was to conduct a global bibliometric analysis of aquatic Coleoptera, identifying temporal trends, geographic distribution, predominant research areas and existing gaps in order to consolidate knowledge and establish future research agendas. A total of 778 articles from the Scopus and Web of Science databases, published between 1942 and 2025, were analyzed. This analysis allowed for the evaluation of publication patterns, research approaches and the main challenges identified in studies on aquatic beetles. A steady increase in publications was observed, peaking in 2023 with 63 articles. The countries with the highest number of studies were the United States (23.37%), Spain (14.95%) and Brazil (14.40%). The most studied ecosystems were streams (28.23%) and rivers (23.57%). The predominant research areas were ecology (42.37%) and biomonitoring (21.77%), with a primary focus on the adult stage (66.71%). The challenges identified included limited knowledge of the diversity and distribution of aquatic Coleoptera (46.18%), community dynamics, distribution patterns and ecological interactions (20.97%) and relationships with environmental quality or anthropogenic pressures (8.99%). The results show a predominance of descriptive approaches over practical and integrative ones, underscoring the need to promote more integrated research that strengthens the taxonomic base and improves the incorporation of aquatic Coleoptera into global biomonitoring and conservation strategies. This study identifies major geographic, ecological and thematic biases in aquatic Coleoptera research, revealing critical knowledge gaps in taxonomy, conservation, genetics and species distributions. These findings provide a foundation for prioritizing future research and strengthening biodiversity conservation strategies worldwide.