Pterostichus (Lyrothorax) fritzei, Muilwijk & Kataev & Wrase, 2024

Muilwijk, Jan, Kataev, Boris M. & Wrase, David W., 2024, Review of the subgenus Lyrothorax of the genus Pterostichus (Coleoptera: Carabidae) in the Western Palaearctic, with descriptions of two new species, Zootaxa 5468 (2), pp. 255-274 : 264-267

Pterostichus (Lyrothorax) fritzei sp. n.

( Figures 2b – 11b , 14 , map 15b)

Type material. Holotype male, labelled “ Iran Naharkhoran / südl. Gorgan 450–/ 1000m 14-8-1967 Heinz // HOLOTYPE / Pterostichus (Lyrothorax) / fritzei sp. n. Muilwijk, / Kataev & Wrase des. 2024” (black print on red label). Deposited in SMNS.

Paratypes. [We added the following label: “ PARATYPE / Pterostichus (Lyrothorax) / fritzei sp. n. Muilwijk, / Kataev & Wrase des. 2024” (black print on red label) to all paratypes].

Iran. Gilan. 1 female: “Pass 1000 bei / Chalkaser (e. Rudbar ) / 15 VIll. 1972 (Dar-e-dasht) // Gilan (Iran) / Heinz leg.” ( CWH); 1 female: “N IRAN Gilan, Asålem / (pass), NW Bandar-e Anzali / 3737N 4848E 1630m, / 29– 30.VI.2000, leg. P. Kabátek ” ( CJM); 2 males, 1 female: “IR GI pass / S. Asalem / 5.vii 2003 / I. Rapuzzi leg.” ( CJM) [aedeagus examined]. Māzandarān. 3 females: “IR Chalandar / 36.542249 51.645003 / 30.06.2014 leg. S. Thorn ” ( CMF, CJM); 1 male: “IR– Mazandaran / 36.296136 N / 53.44756 E / 2.08.2016 / leg. H.V. Barimani ” ( CMF); 1 male, 1 female: “IR– Mazandaran / 36.296136 N / 53.44756 E / 25.06.2017 / leg. H.V. Barimani ” ( CMF, CJM) [aedeagus examined]; 1 male: “IR– Mazandaran / 36.296136 N / 53.44756 E / 29.07.2017 / leg. H.V. Barimani ” ( CJM); 1 male: “S Iran, C Elburz / Hazar Chay, S. Amol 400 m / 23.– 24.7.70 // Loc no, 69 Exp. Nat. Mus. Praha” ( MNP) [aedeagus examined]; 1 male: “IR (Mazandaran) / Khelard s. Amol / 3000m 23/30.vi. 1998 / Heinz leg.” ( CWH) [aedeagus examined]; 2 females: “ Iran, Mazandaran Kheyroud / Forest N 36°21’23.08” / E 53°32’20.26”, 14.vi.2017 / leg. Seiedy / Muilwijk ” ( CJM) [aedeagus examined]; 3 males: “ Iran, Mazandaran Kheyroud / Forest N 36°32’31.90” / E 51°39’16.60” / 1150m 19.vi.2017 / leg. Seiedy / Muilwijk ” ( CJM) [aedeagus examined]; 1 male: “IR Mazandaran Sika / 36.35641 53.53896 / 28.04.2018 / leg. S. Thorn ” ( CJM); 1 female: “IR (Mazandaran) / Umg. Sorkhcola 300/ 400 m / b. Pole-Sefid / 1/ 3.VIII.1999 Heinz leg.” ( CWH); 1 male: “ Wald n. Kiasar / 400m; 7.IV.1996 // Iran sept. / Mazendaran / Heinz leg.” ( CWH); 1 female: “ Galandrud 400 m / 15.VIII.1968 // Mazanderan / ( Iran) Heinz leg.” ( CWH); 4 males, 2 females: “ Kolehsar / S. Alamdeh / 16.VIII.1968 / 1100m // Mazanderan / ( Iran) Heinz leg.” ( CWH) [aedeagus examined]; 1 male, 2 females: “ Wald s. Now-Kandeh / e. Beshar , / 500m / 20.VIII.1968 // Mazanderan / ( Iran) Heinz leg.” ( CWH) [aedeagus examined]; 2 males, 2 females: “ Ali-abad östl. / Gorgan 10.VIII.67 // Mazanderan / ( Iran) Heinz leg.” ( CWH); 1 female: “ IRAN, 1.–2.VI.2006 / Mazandaran prov. 6 km W PUL / (forested stream valley, at light) / 36°25’5”N 51°30’5”E; 1030 m / Jiri Hájek & Pavel Chvojka leg.” ( MNP); 1 male, 2 females: “N-Iran, Prov. Mazandaran / N-Elburz, Kolyak , 36°28’38’’N / 51°39’88’’E, 1628m, 04.06. / 2008, leg. A. Skale (24)” ( CDW, NME) [aedeagus examined]; 1 male: “N-Iran, Prov. Mazandaran, vic Now / Shar , Kheiroud Kenar forest [dist. / Gorazbon ] 36°32’07’’N, 51°38’13’’E / 880m, 2.V.2010 leg. A. Skale (44)” ( CDW) [aedeagus examined]; 2 males: “N-Iran, Prov. Mazandaran / vic Now Shar, Kheiroud / Kenar forest [dist. / Gorazbon ] 36°31’38’’N, 51°38’46’’E / 880m, 2.V.2010 / leg. A. Weigel #15” ( NME); 1 male: “N-IRAN: Prov. Mazandaran / vic. Now Shahr, Kheiroud / Kenar forest (distr. Nam / Khane ), 36°33’06”N, 51°36’47”E, 1050m, 02.V. / 2010, leg. A. Weigel # 18” ( CDW) [aedeagus examined]; 1 female: “N-IRAN, Prov. Mazandaran / N-Elburz, SW Now Shahr / 36°35’20’’N, 51°34’05’’E / 500 m; 3.V.2008 / leg. J. Weipert ” ( CDW); 1 male: “N. IRAN (Māzandarān) / Chalus env. / VI 1998 Chr. Reuter” ( CDW) [aedeagus examined]; 1 male: “N. IRAN Mazandaran prov. / Pasha Kola-Najjar Kola , 965 m / 26°11’47.7’’N, 51°26’41.9’’E / 31.V.2018, Václav Čutka leg.” ( CDW) [aedeagus examined]; 1 male, 1 female: “ Iran pr. Mazandaran / Ruyan 200 m 24.6.09 / Skoupý leg.” ( CVS); 2 males: “ Transkaspia , Saramsakli” ( MNP, RMNH). Golestān. 1 male, 2 females: “IR– Gorgan, Shaskola / Fagus orientalis primeval / 36.77083N / 5438922E / 11.7.2017 pitfall / leg. Jahed Razi ” ( CMF, CJM); 1 male, 4 females: “IR– Gorgan, Shaskola / Fagus orientalis primeval / 36.77083 N / 54,389 22 E / 13.8.2017 pitfall / leg. Jahed Razi ” ( CMF, CJM) [aedeagus examined]; 1 male: “IR– Gorgan, Shaskola /Fagus orientalis pitfalll / 36,770 67 N / 54,390 5 E / 6.9.2017 pitfall / leg. Jahed Razi ” ( CMF); 1 male: “IR– Gorgan, Shaskola / Fagus orientalis primeval / 36.77083 N / 5438922 E / 5.11.2017 pitfall / leg. Jahed Razi ” ( CMF); 2 males, 1 female: “IR– Gorgan, Shaskola / Fagus orientalis primeval / 36,770 83 N / 36,770 83 E / 6.12.2017 pitfall / leg. Jahed Razi ” ( CMF, CJM) [aedeagus examined]; 2 females: “IR– Gorgan, Shaskola / Fagus orientalis primeval / 36,772 58 N / 54,388 28 E / 14.8.2018 pitfall / leg. Jahed Razi ” ( CMF, CJM); 2 males, 3 females: “IR– Gorgan, Shaskola / 36,770 83 N / 54,389 22 O / 16.8.2018 pitfall / leg. Jahed Razi ” ( CMF, CJM); [aedeagus examined in 2 males]; 1 male, 2 females: “ IRAN, Golestan prov. / 5 km S AZÁD Shahr / N 37°07‘ E55°27‘, 300 m / 10.– 11.6.2010, W. Grosser lgt.” ( CDW, CZM) [aedeagus examined]; 1 male, 1 female: “ Golestān forest, 55 km NE Mīnūdasht , 3720N, 5600E, 840 m, 18.VI.2000, P. Kabátek leg.” ( CDW) [aedeagus examined]; 1 female: “N. IRAN – Mazandaran prov. / Galugah–Niala env. 1390m / 36°37’38′′N, 53°50′15.6′′E / 4.VI.2018, Václav Čutka leg.” ( CRK); 1 male: “N Iran, p. Mazandarān, / Nahār Hōrān 10 km S / Gorgan 3645N 5428E, 16.VI.1999 / lgt. E. & P. Hajdaj ” ( CDW) [aedeagus examined]; 1 male, 3 females: “N Iran, p. Mazandarān / Nahār Hōran 10km S / Gorgan 3645N 5428E 13.VI.2000 lgt. Hajdaj E.P. ” ( NME, CDW); 3 males, 1 female: “ IRAN bor. 27.5.2001 / Mazandaran Gorgan / Nahar Horan env. / lgt. Orszulik ” ( CKO); [aedeagus examined in all males]; 2 males, 2 females: “ IRAN bor. 30.5.2003 / Mazandaran Gorgan / Nahar Horan env. / lgt. Orszulik ” ( CKO); [aedeagus examined in both males]; 1 female: “ IRAN, Khorasan pr. / Golestan forest 40km / NE Minu-Dasht, 2005 / F.Pavel leg. 10.–12.6.” ( CJM); 3 males, 1 female: “ IRAN: N Mazandaran / Nahár Khorán 65 km S Gorgan / 28.IV.2000 / leg. J. Rejsek ” ( CRF) [aedeagus examined]; 5 males, 8 females: “ IRAN: NE Mazandaran Nahar / Khoran, 6 km S / Gorgan , 08.–10.IV.1999 / leg. J. Rejsek ” ( SMNS) [aedeagus examined]; 2 males, 2 females: “ Dowlat-abad ca. 700 m / b. Dasht ( Gorgan ) / Kasp. Bergw. 19.VIII.6 // Mazanderan / ( Iran) Heinz leg.” ( CWH) [aedeagus examined]; 1 female: “ IRAN: Golestan / Ziarat / 27.V.2016 / D. Kasatkin leg.” ( ZIN); 5 males, 5 females: “ Persia / Astrabad / coll. Hauser ” ( MNP, MFNB); 6 males, 5 females: “ Kopet-Dagh / Siared 1160m / v.1899 / coll. Hauser ” ( MNP, NHMUK); 1 male: “ Kopet-Dagh / Siared 1160m / v.1899 / coll. Hauser // ZMA.INS. 5117747” ( RMNH); 1 male: with same data, but “RMS.INS.1487331” ( RMNH); 1 male: with same data, but “RMS.INS.1487332” ( RMNH); 1 male: with same data, but “RMS.INS.1487333” ( RMNH); 1 male: with same data, but “RMS.INS.1487334” ( RMNH); 1 female: with same data, but “RMS.INS.1487335” ( RMNH); 1 female: with same data, but “RMS.INS.1487336” ( RMNH); 1 male, 1 female: “Kopet-Dagh / Siared” ( MFNB); 1 male, 4 females: “ Kopet-Dagh / Siared 1160m / 5.1899 / coll. Hauser ” ( MFNB) .

Specimens (probably) mislabelled. (see Remarks below). 1 male: “ Iran, N. Khorasan / Binalud Mts. Abardeh / 30.iii.1999 / leg. J. Rejsek ” ( SMNS) [aedeagus missing] ; 1 male, 1 female: “ Persia Ala-Dagh / Budschnurd 1033m / vi.1902 coll. Hauser ” ( MNP) .

Description. Habitus as in Figs 2b , 3b . Body length 11.5–14.1 mm (N=149).

Pronotum transverse (PW/PL = 1.37–1.52), wider than head (PW/HW = 1.37–1.49); hind angles sharp, slightly acute-angled, as a rule directed outwards. Inner and outer basolateral foveae with coarse punctures or wrinkles, outer fovea faintly impressed, inner fovea long; inner and outer foveae not separated; with a keel between lateral bead and outer fovea; basal transverse impression absent; lateral gutter narrow, ending mostly before hind angles. Microsculpture consisting of micropores and irregular meshes, somewhat suppressed on disc.

Elytra ovoid-elongate (EL/EW = 1.33–1.58). Basal margin continuing fluently into lateral margin. Intervals flat, or slightly convex; series umbilicata consisting of approximately twenty pore punctures that are discontinuous and irregularly distributed. Microsculpture consisting of transverse, irregular meshes.

Ventral side. Metepisternum slightly less densely punctured than metasternum, punctures even coarse ( Fig. 4b ). Apical margin of female ventrite 7 evenly rounded or rarely undulated in middle ( Figs 5b 1–2), as a rule without an apical impression. Microsculpture consisting of regular, isodiametric meshes.

Median lobe of aedeagus robust, its length 2.5–3.0 mm ( Figs 6b – 9b ); middle part bent at an angle of about 90 degrees to the basal part. Angulate margin of preputial field of the apical orifice (pft) very large, outwards directed, in lateral view triangular; tooth on left margin of terminal lamella (tltl) in lateral view oblique, strongly pointed ( Fig. 6b ); slightly sclerotized; terminal lamella very short, width/length (WL-tl): 2.99–3.41, its apical margin slightly incised medially or straight ( Fig. 7b ); left lateral margin in dorsal view slightly sinuated outwards; right lateral margin sinuated to apex. Gonoporal band in ventral view small, with long curved point. Right pigmented band (rpb) in ventral view small, curved, in ventral view ( Fig. 8b ) more or less straight to apex, only exceptionally weakly convexely expanded. Inflated endophallus as in Fig. 9b , apically elongated, turned to the left; ostium lobe (ol) large; apical lobe (ap) branched; preapical lobe (pl) and ventral lobe (vl) small; in some specimens a small additional pigmented band along the inner side of the ventral lobe present.

Parameres. Right paramere short, flat, with an irregularly rounded apex with a small tip ( Fig. 10b ); left paramere quadrangular, with two strongly sclerotized apophyses.

Female genitalia as in Figs 11b , 14 . Gonocoxite 1 with a row of apical setae, gonocoxite 2 with one ensiform seta ventrolateral, two setae dorsolateral of which the basal seta is small ( Fig. 11b ). Bursa copulatrix partly pigmentated. Spermatheca tube-like, its surface glabrous, base of seminal canal semi-circular sclerotized; seminal canal long; spermathecal gland with a fine duct connected to the base of spermatheca ( Fig. 14 ).

Intraspecific variation. Some specimens have reduced or very coarse punctures, or wrinkles in basolateral foveae.

Derivatio nominis. The species is named after our friend, the coleopterologist Michael-Andreas Fritze (Eckersdorf, Germany). Michael laid the foundation for this article. Sadly, he passed away in 2023.

Distribution and habitat. Pterostichus fritzei sp. n. lives in the Hyrcanian forests along the Caspian Sea within the Iranian provinces of Gilan, Māzandarān and Golestān ( Fig. 15b ); in the last two provinces sympatricly with P. vagus sp. n.

Remarks. Three specimens from two localities are found according their label in the Iranian province North Khorasan. Both places are far outside the Hyrcanian forests. The occurrence of P. fritzei sp. n. in this province requires confirmation.

Figures

FIGURE 2. Habitus in dorsal view and pronotum increased, (a) P. caspius (Ménétriés, 1832) from Talysh, (b) P. fritzei sp. n. holotype, (c) P. vagus sp. n., from different localities, c1 holotype, c2 from Bylnice, Czech Republic. Scale bar =10 mm.

FIGURE 3. Habitus in ventral view, (a) P. caspius (Ménétriés, 1832) from Talysh Mts., Hyrkan, (b) P. fritzei sp. n. holotype, (c) P. vagus sp. n. holotype. Scale bar = 10 mm.

FIGURE 4. Metepisterna and metasternum, (a) P. caspius (Ménétriés, 1832) from Gilan, South Siahkal, (b) P. fritzei sp. n. holotype, (c) P. vagus sp. n. holotype. c1 holotype, c2 from Asålem Pass.

FIGURE 5. Ventrite 7 (a1, b1– b2, c1– c2) and sternite 8 (a3–c3), (a) P. caspius (Ménétriés, 1832) a1, a3 from Talysh Mts., Hyrkan, (b) P. fritzei sp. n. from different localities, b1 from Asålem Pass, b2 from Nahár Khorán, b3 from Chalandar, (c) P. vagus sp. n., c1, c3 from Gorgan, Shaskola, c2 from Břeclav, Czech Republic. Scale bar = 1 mm.

FIGURE 6. Median lobe in left lateral view, (a) P. caspius (Ménétriés, 1832) lectotype, (b) P. fritzei sp. n. from Khelard, (c) P. vagus sp. n. from Ramsar Curti, preputial field tooth (pft), terminal lamella (tl), tooth on terminal lamella (tltl). Scale bar = 1 mm.

FIGURE 7. Median lobe in dorsal view, (a) P. caspius (Ménétriés, 1832) from Astara, Istisu, (b) P. fritzei sp. n. from Kheyroud Forest, (c) P. vagus sp. n., from different localities, c1 from Ramsar Curti, c2 from “Saramsakli”, Māzandarān, c3 from Now Shahr, preputial field tooth (pft), right pigmented band (rpb), terminal lamella (tl). Scale bar = 1 mm.

FIGURE 8. Median lobe in ventral view, (a) P. caspius (Ménétriés, 1832) from Astara, Istisu, (b) P. fritzei sp. n. from Kheyroud Forest, (c) P. vagus sp. n. from Ramsar Curti, right pigmented band (rpb), gonoporal band (gb), terminal lamella (tl). Scale bar = 1 mm.

FIGURE 9. Median lobe inflated in left ventro-lateral view, (a) P. caspius (Ménétriés, 1832) from Astara, (b) P. fritzei sp. n. from Kolehsar, (c) P. vagus sp. n., from different localities, c1 from Shaskola, c2 from Břeclav, Czech Republic, preputial field tooth (pft), apical lobe (al), ostium lobe (ol), preapical lobe (pl), right pigmented band (rpb), gonoporal band (gb). Scale bar = 1 mm.

FIGURE 10. Right paramere, (a) P. caspius (Ménétriés, 1832) from Avrora, Hirkan forest, (b) P. fritzei sp. n. from Nahár Khorán, (c) P. vagus sp. n. from Now Shahr, Kheiroud. Scale bar = 1 mm.

FIGURE 11. Female external genitalia in ventral view, (a) P. caspius (Ménétriés, 1832) from Avrora, Hirkan forest, (b) P. fritzei sp. n. from Shaskola, (c) P. vagus sp. n. from Nahár Khorán, gonocoxite 1 (gc1), gonocoxite 2 (gc2). Scale bar = 1 mm.

FIGURE 14. Female genitalia, P. fritzei sp. n. from Minu–Dasht, spermatheca (sp), spermathecal gland (spg), apophyse seminal canal (asc), seminal canal (sc). Scale bar = 1 mm.

FIGURE 15. Distribution map. (a) P. caspius (Ménétriés, 1832), (b) P. fritzei sp. n., (c) P. vagus sp. n., the distribution in the Czech Republic is shown in the small embedded map.