Lethrus (Mesolethrus) elisae Nikolajev, 2001

Shapovalov, Andrey M. & Bagaturov, Mikhail F., 2023, A review of the subgenus Mesolethrus Nikolajev, 2003 of the genus Lethrus Scopoli, 1777 (Coleoptera: Geotrupidae: Lethrinae) with description of a new species, Zootaxa 5351 (4), pp. 435-452 : 441-445

Lethrus (Mesolethrus) elisae Nikolajev, 2001

( Figs. 6 , 17–18, 29 , 36 )

Lethrus (Furcilethrus) elisae Nikolajev, 2001: 102 (original decription, type locality: “in western spurs of Baysuntau near Shurob (20 km N Derbent)” [ South Uzbekistan; in fact, Shurob is situated about 10 km W of Derbent on the Chakchar Mountain Range], habitus: Fig. 2 ).

Lethrus (Mesolethrus) elisae: Nikolajev 2003: 128 (key, characteristic, distribution: Fig. 90 Nr. 3, habitus: Fig. 94); Král & Nikolajev 2006: 94 (catalogue); Bagaturov & Nikolajev 2015: 312 (distribution, taxonomic note); Nikolajev et al. 2016: 50 (catalogue); Bagaturov & Hillert 2023: 306 (aedeagus: Fig. 8 ).

Type material examined. Paratypes 1 ♂ 4 ♀♀: “Uzb. [ekistan,] Baysuntau [ Mountain Range , Surxondaryo Region] Shurob [38°11’N, 66°56’E], 20 km N Derbent [,] 20.iii.2001 [,] I. Legezin [leg.]” [in Russian], “Paratypus Lethrus elisae Nikolajev ” [printed red text on white paper] ( GNPC) ; 1 ♂ 1 ♀: “Uzb. [ekistan, Qashqadaryo Reg.,] Gumbulak [= Gumbuloq, about 38°28’ N, 66°26’ E,] (10 km E of Guzar ) [,] 20.iii.2001 [,] O. Legezin [leg.]” [in Russian], “Paratypus Lethrus elisae Nikolajev ” [printed red text on white paper] ( GNPC) ; 1 ♂ with same labels ( MBPC).

Additional material examined. Uzbekistan. Uzbekistan , Qashqadaryo Reg. 1 ♂ 1 ♀: N Akrabat Pass (= Oqravot Dovon Pass , about 38°15’N, 66°50’E, ~ 1590 m a.s.l.), 14.iv.1994, S. Ovchinnikov leg. ( SKPC) ; 2 ♂♂: SW Hissar Mts., Shurob env., 6.iii.2004, O. Legezin leg. ( MBPC) ; 1 ♂ 1 ♀: Baysun (= Boysun; about 38°12’N, 67°11’E), 26.iv.2003, O. Legezin leg. ( GNPC) .

Diagnosis. Gena laterally narrowly and obliquely truncate, anterolateral angle usually more or less rounded, posterolateral angle obtuse ( Figs. 6 , 36 ); gena 2.1–2.8 times as large as eye width. Punctation of head and pronotum usually rather fine (but in one pair from Boysun, punctation coarse) and relatively small ( Fig. 6 ). Elytra finely shagreened, with fine simple punctation, striae thin and superficial with flattened interstriae ( Fig. 6 ). Dorsal surface of the body with faint bronze or bluish tinge, in older and abraded specimens—black. Shape of male genitalia is very similar to L. microbuccis and almost lacks distinct differences, only parameres comparatively narrow and not widened apically, weakly curved inward ( Figs. 17–18 ); sclerotized apex of endophallus usually arcuate laterally ( Fig. 29 ), but sometimes with nearly parallel sides. Body length 14–19 mm.

Distribution. Southern Uzbekistan. The species is known from the south-western spurs of the Hissar Range, localities are situated in the south part and foothills of Chakchar and Baysuntau Mountain Ranges (see map, Fig. 44 ). The species is apparently vicariant to L. microbuccis in the south.

Ecology. The species inhabits steppe landscapes of foothills and mountains at altitudes from about 800 to 1600 m. Activity of imago is recorded from early March to late April.

Figures

FIGURE 44. Map of distribution Lethrus (Mesolethrus) species: 1, Tashsay env.; 2, south from Belovutsoy River; 3, Khujand; 4, Golbo; 5, 9 km S Ai-Kol; 6, Shahriston env.; 7, Zaamin env.; 8, 28 km SW Zaamin; 9, Sudzhina; 10, Mullabulak; 11, Asmansay; 12, Jangiqishlak env.; 13, 11 km southeast of Djush; 14, Samarkand; 15, 65 km on Samarkand to Qarshi road; 16, Qaynarbuloq; 17, Ruskishlak; 18, 30 km East to Kitab, Qashqadaryo Riv.; 19, Qamar; 20, Guldara; 21, Qarshi; 22, Gumbulok; 23, Okravot Pass; 24, Shurob; 25, Boysun; 26, 20 km W Oqmachit; 27, Chagam; 28, Oqmachit; 29, Shahrinav; 30, Dushanbe env.; 31, Dahanakiik; 32, Yavon; 33, Chormagzak Pass.; 34, Fayzobod; 35, Nurek; 36, Pashtamazar; 37, Kulob. 1–2, 7–8, 10–28 Uzbekistan; 4–5 Kyrgyzstan, 3, 6, 9, 29–37 Tajikistan. Red circles—localities of L. dyonini A. Shapovalov & Bagaturov, new species (1—type locality: Tashsay); circles with green colour—localities of L. microbuccis Ballion, 1871 (3—type locality: Khujand); circles with white colour—localities of L. shakhristanicus Nikolajev, 2003 (6—type locality: Shahriston env.); circles with blue colour—localities of L. nuratavicus Nikolajev, 1987 (11—type locality: Asmansay); circles with yellow colour— localities of L. elisae Nikolajev, 2001 (24—type locality: Shurob); circles with orange colour—localities of L. inermis Reitter, 1897 (37—type locality: Kulab?); orange asterisk—Kyrgyzstan, Taldyk (erroneous record of L. inermis from Protzenko 1968).

FIGURES 5–8. Lethrus (Mesolethrus) species, habitus. 5, L. microbuccis Ballion, 1871 (9 km S Ai-Kol); 6, L. elisae Nikolajev, 2001 (Shurob); 7–8, L. dyonini A. Shapovalov & Bagaturov, new species (environs of Tashsay), 7—holotype, 8—allotype. 5–7—males, 8—female.

FIGURES 9–31. Lethrus (Mesolethrus) species, males genitalia. 9–10, 22–23, L. inermis Reitter, 1897 (9–10—20 km W Oqmachit, 22–23—Pashtamazar); 11–12, 24, L. shakhristanicus Nikolajev, 2003 (9 km S Ai-Kol); 13–14, 25–27, L. nuratavicus Nikolajev, 1987 (28 km SW Zaamin); 15–16, 28, L. microbuccis Ballion, 1871 (Golbo env.); 15–16, 28, L. microbuccis Ballion, 1871 (Golbo env.); 17–18, 29, L. elisae Nikolajev, 2001 (Shurob); 19–21, 30–31, L. dyonini A. Shapovalov & Bagaturov, new species, paratypes (environs of Tashsay). 9–21 aedeagus (9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19–20—ventral view; 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 21—lateral view), 22–31 sclerotized apex of endophallus (22, 24, 25, 28–30 dorsal view, 23, 26, 31—lateral view, 27—ventral view).

FIGURES 32–43. Lethrus (Mesolethrus) species. 32, 39, L. inermis Reitter, 1897 (Dahanakiik); 33, L. shakhristanicus Nikolajev, 2003 (9 km S Ai-Kol); 34, L. nuratavicus Nikolajev, 1987 (28 km SW Zaamin); 35, 40–42, L. microbuccis Ballion, 1871 (35, 41—Golbo env., 39—Mullabulak, 40—20 km S Guldara); 36, L. elisae Nikolajev, 2001 (Shurob); 37–38, 40–41, L. dyonini A. Shapovalov & Bagaturov, new species, paratypes (environs of Tashsay). 32–37 gena, 38 left mandible, 39 abdomen (lateral view), 40–41 abdomen and apices of elytra (antero-ventral view; 40—male, 41—female), 42–43 tuft of long erect setae on subapical ventrite (lateral view; 42—male, 43—female).

FIGURES 1–4. Lethrus (Mesolethrus) species, male, habitus. 1–2, L. inermis Reitter, 1897 (1—Dahanakiik; 2—20 km W Oqmachit); 3, L. shakhristanicus Nikolajev, 2003 (9 km S Ai-Kol); 4, L. nuratavicus Nikolajev, 1987 (28 km SW Zaamin).