Abstract
The genus Kanala BALFOUR-BROWNE, 1939 (Coleoptera: Hydrophilidae), endemic to New Caledonia (Grande Terre), is redescribed. Five species are recognized: Kanala bipunctata sp.n., K. loebli sp.n., K. montaguei BALFOUR-BROWNE, 1939, K. punctiventris sp.n. and K. reticulata BALFOUR-BROWNE, 1939.
An identification key to the species is provided along with illustrations of morphological characters and habitus photographs of all species. A preliminary phylogenetic analysis of the species of Kanala and related genera based on morphological characters supports the monophyly of Kanala and points out a closer relationship with some Australian genera: Notocercyon BLACKBURN, 1898, Ceronocyton HANSEN, 1990 and Cenebriophilus HANSEN, 1990.