Meotica moczarskii SCHEERPELTZ , 1927

Assing, Volker & Vogel, Jürgen, 2019, The mother of synonyms: on the Meotica species of the Palaearctic Region (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae, Aleocharinae, Oxypodini), Linzer biologische Beiträge 51 (2), pp. 731-772 : 756-761

Meotica moczarskii SCHEERPELTZ, 1927

( Figs 48-51 , 53-58)

Meotica moczarskii SCHEERPELTZ, 1927: 296 ff.

Meotica finnmarchica BENICK, 1953: 65 f.; nov.syn.

Meotica angulata BENICK, 1953: 66 .; synonymy with M. finnmarchica suspected by STRAND (1955) and confirmed by MUONA (1991).

Meotica pechlaneri BENICK, 1953: 67 f.; synonymy with M. marchica by VOGEL (1991).

Meotica wagneri BENICK, 1953: 68; synonymy with M. marchica by VOGEL (1991).

Meotica romana BENICK, 1953: 69 ; nov.syn.

Meotica albanica BENICK, 1953: 71; nov.syn.

Meotica marchica BENICK, 1953: 74 f.; nov.syn.

Meotica neresheimeri BENICK, 1953: 75 f.; synonymy with M. marchica by VOGEL (1991).

Meotica exigua BENICK, 1953: 76 f.; nov.syn.

Meotica alpina BENICK, 1953: 77 ; nov.syn.

Meotica roubali BENICK, 1953: 77 f.; synonymy with M. marchica by VOGEL (1991).

Meotica testacea BENICK, 1953: 79 ; nov.syn.

Meotica neapolitana SCHEERPELTZ, 1954a: 156 ; nov.syn.

Meotica transversiceps SCHEERPELTZ, 1954a: 156 ; synonymy with M. marchica by VOGEL (2015).

Meotica kochi BENICK, 1968: 88 f.; synonymy with M. marchica by VOGEL (1991).

Meotica curtipennis BENICK, 1970: 7 f.; synonymy with M. marchica by VOGEL (1991).

Meotica stockmanni MUONA, 1978: 126; nov.syn.

Meotica anglica BENICK, 1991 in MUONA (1991: 233); nov.syn.

Meotica vailatii PACE, 2001: 88 f.; synonymy with M. marchica by ASSING (2004a).

Type material examined: M. moczarskii : Lectotype ♂, present designation: "♂ / Parnassos , Graecia c / Cotypus Meotica moczarskii O. Scheerpeltz / ex coll. Scheerpeltz / Meotica parasita det. J. Vogel, 1996 / Lectotypus ♂ Meotica moczarskii Scheerpeltz , desig. V. Assing 2017 / Meotica moczarskii Scheerpeltz , det. V. Assing 2018 " ( NHMW) . Paralectotypes: 2♂♂ [1 dissected prior to present study]: same data as lectotype, but with additional labels: "aus Rasen gesiebt. 1200 m / leg. E. Moczarski, 3.V.1914 " ( NHMW) ; 1♂ [dissected prior to present study; aedeagus missing]: same data as lectotype, but "Typus" ( NHMW); 3♂♂, 1♀: same data as lectotype, but " ♀ " ( NHMW); 1♀: same data, but "Typus" ( NHMW) .

M. finnmarchica : Holotype ♀: " ♀ / ZFExp.: A. Strand, Alten.. VI.24 / Meotica finnmarchica G. Benick , Typus / Coll. G. Benick / Meotica moczarskii Scheerpeltz , det. V. Assing 2018 " ( MHNG).

M. angulata : Holotype ♀: " ♀ / Kongsvinger, A. Strand / Meotica finnmarchica ♀ G. Bck, Typus / Coll. G. Benick / Meotica finnmarchica det. J. Vogel 1996 / Meotica moczarskii Scheerpeltz , det. V. Assing 2018 " ( MHNG).

M. pechlaneri : Holotype ♀: " ♀ / Umg. Innsbruck, Ti. Pechlaner / Meotica Pechlaneri Bck. , Typus / Coll. G. Benick / Meotica marchica det. J. Vogel 2017 / Meotica moczarskii Scheerpeltz , det. V. Assing 2018 " ( MHNG).

M. wagneri : Holotype ♀: " ♀ / Mark: Herzfelde b. Rüdersdorf / Meotica Wagneri G. Bck. , Typus / Coll. G. Benick / Meotica marchica det. J. Vogel 2017 / Meotica moczarskii Scheerpeltz , det. V. Assing 2018 " ( MHNG).

M. romana: Holotype ♂: " ♂ / Roma, Inond. Aniene, Luig. 26-12-914 / Meotica romana G. Bck., Typus / Coll. G. Benick / Meotica moczarskii Scheerpeltz , det. V. Assing 2018 " ( MHNG).

M. albanica : Syntypes: " ♀ / Albanien, Avlona, v. Oertzen / Meotica albanica G. Bck. Typus / Coll. G. Benick / Meotica marchica det. J. Vogel 2017 / Meotica moczarskii Scheerpeltz , det. V. Assing 2018 " ( MHNG) ; 2♀♀ [attached to the same pin]: same data as before ( MHNG) .

M. marchica: Lectotype ♂, present designation: "♂ / Mark: Herzfelde b. Rüdersdorf , 1.5.41 Neresheimer / Meotica marchica ♂ G. Bck Typus / Coll. G. Benick / Lectotypus ♂ Meotica marchica Benick , desig. V. Assing 2018 / Meotica moczarskii Scheerpeltz , det. V. Assing 2018" ( MHNG); 2♀♀: same data as lectotype ( MHNG).

M. neresheimeri: Holotype ♀: " ♀ / Mark: Herzfelde b. Rüdersdorf / Meotica Neresheimeri Bck. , Typus / Coll. G. Benick / Meotica marchica det. J. Vogel 2017 / Meotica moczarskii Scheerpeltz , det. V. Assing 2018 " ( MHNG).

M. alpina: Lectotype ♂, present designation: " ♂ / Umg. Bozen, Ti. Pechlaner / Leifers 21.4.35, Graswurzeln am Bach / Meotica alpina G. Bck. , Typus / Coll. G. Benick / Meotica marchica det. J. Vogel 2017 / Lectotypus ♂ Meotica alpina Benick , desig. V. Assing 2018 / Meotica moczarskii Scheerpeltz , det. V. Assing 2018" ( MHNG); 1♀: same data as lectotype ( MHNG); 1♀: same data, but " Leifers, Bach 5.6.38 / Meotica alpina? G. Bck. Cotypus" ( MHNG).

M. exigua : Lectotype ♂, present designation: " ♂ / Trento, Pechlaner / Vallarse 11.6.32, Malgafrete [?] / Meotica exigua Bck Typus / Coll. G. Benick / Meotica marchica det. J. Vogel 2017 / Lectotypus ♂ Meotica exigua Benick , desig. V. Assing 2018 / Meotica moczarskii Scheerpeltz , det. V. Assing 2018" ( MHNG); 1♀: same data as lectotype ( MHNG).

M. roubali : Lectotype ♂, present designation: " ♂ / Slov. B. Bystrica, Roubal / Meotica Roubali ♂ G. Bck Typus / Coll. G. Benick / Meotica marchica det. J. Vogel 2017 / Lectotypus ♂ Meotica roubali Benick , desig. V. Assing 2018 / Meotica moczarskii Scheerpeltz , det. V. Assing 2018" ( MHNG); 1♂: same data as lectotype ( MHNG); 1 ex.: " Leithageb. Spaeth / Senckenberg Museum / Meotica Roubali ♂ Bck Cotypus / Coll. G. Benick / Meotica marchica det. J. Vogel 2017 / Meotica moczarskii Scheerpeltz , det. V. Assing 2018".

M. testacea : Holotype ♀: " ♀ / Italia, Bazzano / Meotica testacea G. Bck ., Typus / Coll. G. Benick / Meotica marchica det. J. Vogel 2017 / Meotica moczarskii Scheerpeltz , det. V. Assing 2018 " ( MHNG).

M. neapolitana : Lectotype ♂, present designation: " ♂ / Hbdy, I.m., U. Neapel / bei Amalfi, ca 800 m, 25.3.29 / Meotica spec.? / ex coll. Scheerpeltz / Typus Meotica neapolitana O. Scheerpeltz / Lectotypus ♂ Meotica neapolitana Scheerpeltz , desig. V. Assing 2017 / Meotica moczarskii Scheerpeltz , det. V. Assing 2018 " ( NHMW).

M. transversiceps : Syntype ♂: " ♂ / Grünburg, Austr . sup. / ex coll. Scheerpeltz / Typus Meotica transversiceps O. Scheerpeltz / Meotica moczarskii Scheerpeltz , det. V. Assing 2018" ( NHMW).

M. kochi : Holotype ♀: " ♀ / Düsseldorf, 21.3.59, C. Koch. Düsseldorf / Meotica kochi G. Bck. , Typus / Coll. G. Benick / Meotica marchica det. J. Vogel 2017 / Meotica moczarskii Scheerpeltz , det. V. Assing 2018 " ( MHNG).

M. curtipennis : Holotype ♀: " ♀ / Sollenau Heide A. i., 17.7.1965 / Meotica curtipennis Bck . ♀, Typus / Coll. G. Benick / Meotica marchica det. J. Vogel 2017 / Meotica moczarskii Scheerpeltz , det. V. Assing 2018" ( MHNG).

M. stockmanni : Holotype ♂ [dissected prior to present study; spermatheca missing]: " Finland N 667:38, Helsinki Lehtisaari, 8.4.1976, J. Muona leg. / Meotica nov. spec., Dr. G. Benick det. / Holotypus / Meotica stockmanni n. sp., J. Muona det. 1976 / Meotica moczarskii Scheerpeltz , det. V. Assing 2018" ( MZH).

Additional material examined: SWEDEN: 1♀ [identified as M. finnmarchica by S. Lundberg], Åna , 9.VI.1982, leg. Balanus (cWun). MOROCCO: 8 exs., Haut Atlas, SE Asni, Oukaimeden , 31°13'N, 7°50'W, 2500 m, pasture with large rocks, floated from grass roots, 28.XII.2002, leg. Assing & Wunderle (cAss, cWun) . SPAIN: 1♀, Tarragona, Sierra de Prades, Montreal , 4.VI.1965, leg. Comellini (cAss) ; 1♀, Castilla-León, Palencia , leg. Paganetti ( MHNG) ; 1♀, Andalucía, Jaén, Sierra de Cazorla , 1350-1400 m, 15.V.1960, leg. Besuchet (cVog) . FRANCE: 6 exs., E Marseille, Roquevaire , XII.1959, leg. Ochs ( MHNG) ; 1♂, 20 km NW Marseille, Marignane (cVog) ; 2♀♀, Nice , saline, XII.1959, leg. Ochs ( MHNG) ; 2♀♀, Nice env., Vésubie, Figaret river , leg. Ochs ( MHNG) ; 1♀, Indre-et-Loire (cVog); 2♀♀, Haute-Savoie, Vougy , 18.VIII.1978, leg. Besuchet (cVog) . GERMANY: 1♀, Schleswig-Holstein, Kreis Stormarn, Witzhave, Billetal , 31.XII.1999, leg. Siede (cAss) ; 1♀, Niedersachsen, Wilhelmshaven, Neuenburger Urwald , window trap, 24.VI.1996, leg. Menke (cAss) ; 4 exs., Niedersachsen, Hameln env., Düt , sifted from roots in fine gravel, 1.V.1989, leg. Assing (cAss) ; 1 ex., same data, but 27.V.1989 (cAss) ; 1♀, Rheinland-Pfalz, Ahrtal, Altenahr , 26.VI.1987, leg. Wunderle (cAss) ; 1♀, Brandenburg, Oderberg , 14.V.1932 (cVog) ; 2 ♂♂, Thüringen, Eisenach , 11.IV. & 30.IV.1989, leg. Apfel (cVog) ; 1♂, Thüringen, Mihla, Werra-Aue , 29.III.1998, leg. Apfel (cApf) . SWITZERLAND: 3 exs., Vaud, Onnens , 19.V.1977 & 6.V.1990, leg. Besuchet ( MHNG) . AUSTRIA: 3 exs., Vorarlberg, Doren, Weissbachtal , river gravel, 30.VI.1992, leg. Brandstetter ( NMB) ; 4 exs., Tirol, Silz , 15.V.1992, leg. Kahlen ( TLMF) ; 1 ex, Tirol, Kufstein, flood plain of Inn river , 6.XI.1988, leg. Kahlen ( TLMF) ; 1 ex., Tirol, Lechtal , 14.VI.1992, leg. Schatz (cVog) ; 1♀, Zurndorf , grass debris, 5.IV.1993, leg. Kahlen ( TLMF) . SLOVAKIA: 1♂, 1♀, Banská Bystrica , 8.X.1924, leg. Roubal ( MHNG, cVog) ; 1♂, 2♀♀, Rožňava, Silická planina, 20.V.1993, leg. Richter (cVog) . ITALY: 13 exs., Trentino-Alto Adige, Bressanone , 25.V.1949, 10.IV.1950, 4.IV.1951, 8.V.1955, 17.III.1956, 2.III.1962, 27.III.1963, all leg. Peez ( MHNG, TLMF) ; 2 exs., Veneto, Vicenza, Monte Pasubio , 2.VI. & 4.VI.1972, leg. Kahlen ( TLMF) ; 1♀, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Udine, Amaro, Tagliamento-Fella flood plain, flood debris, 22.VI.1996, leg. Kahlen (cVog) ; 5 exs., Toscana, Lucca , Garfagnana, leg. Paganetti ( MHNG) ; 1♀, Toscana, Abetone , 1200 m, 20.V.1975, leg. Castellini (cTro) . BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA: 1♀, Sarajevo , Pašin brdo ( MHNG) . MACEDONIA: 1♀, Vardar plain, NE Skopje, leg. Schatzmayr (cVog) ; 1♀, Skopje , 19.VI.1958, leg. Besuchet ( MHNG) . GREECE: m a i n l a n d: 2♀♀, Ioánnina, Katara pass, 39°47'N, 21°14'E, 1770 m, subterranean pitfall trap, VI.2008 - VI.2010, leg. Giachino & Vailati (cAss) ; 1♂, Etolía-Arkananía, Ano Hora , 38°32'N, 21°51'E, 1240 m, subterranean pitfall trap, VI.2010 - V.2011, leg. Giachino & Vailati (cAss) ;. 1♂, Lárissa, Oros Ossa , 1010 m, 30.V.2017, leg. Giachino & Vailati (cAss) ; 2♂♂, 2♀♀, Fthiotis, W Lamia, Oros Oxia , 38°50'N, 22°56'E, 1500 m, meadow, under stones, 11.IV.2001, leg. Assing (cAss) ; 1♀, Oros Parnassos ( MHNG) ; 1♂, 2♀♀, S-Pindos, Oros Vardousia, leg. Weirather ( MHNG) ; 3♂♂, 3♀♀, Ípiros, Metsovo , 1620 m, 28.IV.1973, leg. Löbl ( MHNG) ; 1♂, Ípiros, Anemorrachi env., 400 m, 2.V.1973, leg. Löbl ( MHNG) ; 1♂, Patras, 30.III.1971, leg. Mahnert ( MHNG). P e l o p ó n n i s o s: 2♂♂, 1♀, Mistras-Taygetos , 37°04'N, 22°22'E, 690 m, 16.IV.2018, leg. Meybohm (cAss) ; 2♀♀, Erimanthos, Platanitsa , 37°57'N, 21°51'E, 970 m, 23.IV.2018, leg. Meybohm (cAss) ; 1♂, Ahaia, Oros Aroánia , 38°01'N, 22°11'E, 1600 m, 4.VI.2012, leg. Giachino & Vailati (cAss) ; 1♂, W Patras, Kalogria , beach, 27.III.1986, leg. Assing (cAss) . CYPRUS: 1♀, Baths of Aphrodite , 20.VII.1977, leg. Besuchet (cVog) . TURKEY: 1 ♀, Erczincan, Tercan, Euphrat , 1400 m, 6.VI.1986, leg. Besuchet & Löbl (cVog) ; for previously published records see ASSING (2013).

Comment: Meotica moczarskii was described from an unspecified number of "Typen und Cotypen" collected "auf dem Parnass in Mittelgriechenland" ( SCHEERPELTZ 1927). Nine type specimens, seven males and two females (partly in poor condition), were located in the Scheerpeltz collection (NHMW). Since a holotype is not specified, all of them have syntype status. One male in fair condition is designated as the lectotype. Strangely, MUONA (1974) synonymized M. moczarskii with M. hanseni SCHEERPELTZ, 1954, although the former name is significantly older than the latter and although the latter is preoccupied by M. hanseni BENICK, 1953.

The original description of M. finnmarchica is based on a unique female from "Alten (Finnmark)" ( BENICK 1953). The spermatheca of the holotype is damaged (proximal portion missing), but the distal portion is identical to that of M. moczarskii . The illustration of an intact spermatheca by MUONA (1991) supports this conclusion, so that M. finnmarchica is placed in synonymy with M. moczarskii .

Shortly after the description of M. angulata, which is based on a unique specimen from "Kongsvinger, Nordnorwegen" ( BENICK 1953), STRAND (1955) expressed grave doubts that this species was in fact distinct from M. finnmarchica. Benick (1968) objected to this view stating that the female tergite VIII was of different shape (posterior margin with a deep median excision). An examination of the holotype revealed that Strand was right: the posterior margin of tergite VIII is completely damaged (practically nonexistent) and, based on the shape of the spermatheca, M. angulata is conspecific with M. moczarskii .

Meotica pechlaneri was described from a unique female collected near "Kranebitten in der Nähe Innsbrucks" ( BENICK 1953). VOGEL (1991) synonymized the name with M. marchica, together with which it is placed in synonymy with M. moczarskii .

Meotica romana was described based on a unique specimen from "Roma, Inond. Aniene" ( BENICK 1953). The aedeagus had been dissected prior to the present study and is damaged and incomplete (apex of ventral process missing). However, both the remains of the aedeagus and the shapes of the male tergite VIII and sternite VIII are in agreement with M. moczarskii . Hence the synonymy proposed above.

The original description of M. albanica is based on "Mehrere Exemplare" from " Albanien, Arlona" [sic] ( BENICK 1953). All three specimens in the Benick collection (MHNG) are females and conspecific with M. moczarskii .

The original description of M. marchica is based on "einige Exemplare von Herzfelde b. Rüdersdorf, Mark" ( BENICK 1953). An examination of a male and two female syntypes revealed that they are conspecific with M. moczarskii . The male is designated as the lectotype.

Meotica neresheimeri was described from a unique female from the type locality of M. marchica. VOGEL (1991) synonymized the name with M. marchica, together with which it is placed in synonymy with M. moczarskii .

The type locality of M. wagneri is identical to that of M. marchica and M. neresheimeri. A re-examination of the uniqe female holotype confirmed that it is conspecific with both ( VOGEL 1991) and consequently also a junior synonym of M. moczarskii .

The original description of M. alpina is based on five syntypes from "Leifers, Umgebung Bozen, an einem Bachrand am 21.4.35" ( BENICK 1953). Two additional females from the same locality, one of them collected on "5.6.38" were only tentatively attributed to the same species and labelled as "Cotypus". All examined syntypes are conspecific with M. moczarskii . The only male available is designated as the lectotype.

The original description of M. roubali is based on numerous syntypes ("zahlreich") from Banska Bystrica and singletons from "Leithagebirge", " Austria ", and "Wimpfen" ( BENICK 1953). The name was synonymized with M. marchica by VOGEL (1991). One of the males from Banska Bystrica is designated as the lectotype.

Meotica testacea was described from a unique female from " Italia, Bazzano" ( BENICK 1953). An examination of this specimen revealed that it is conspecific with M. moczarskii .

The original description of Meotica neapolitana is based on an unspecified number of paratypes from "Umgebung von Neapel (Amalfi)" ( SCHEERPELTZ 1954a). The sole syntype found in the Scheerpeltz collection, a male, is designated as the lectotype. It is conspecific with M. moczarskii .

Meotica transversiceps was described based on an unspecified number of syntypes from "den Sandbänken der Steyr bei Grünburg in Oberösterreich ( SCHEERPELTZ 1954a). Only a single male syntype was located in the collections of the NHMW. According to VOGEL (2015), the name is a junior synonym of M. marchica.

Meotica kochi was described based on a unique female from "Düsseldorf" ( BENICK 1968). The name was synonymized with M. marchica by VOGEL (1991), which apparently escaped the notice of SCHÜLKE & SMETANA (2015). A re-examination of the holotype revealed that the synonymy with M. marchica and consquently its senior synonym M. moczarskii is correct.

The original description of M. curtipennis is based on a unique female from "Sollenauer Heide", Austria ( BENICK 1970). VOGEL (1991) synonymized the name with M. marchica. The synonymy with M. marchica and its senior synonym, M. moczarskii , is confirmed.

In the original description of M. stockmanni , which is based on a unique female from "Helsinki, Lehtisaari", MUONA (1978) provided a rough sketch of the spermatheca and compared the species with M. caucasica and the (mis-)interpretation of M. pallens at that time. Subsequently, MUONA (1991) considered M. stockmanni identical to the respective interpretations of M. pallens sensu BENICK (1953) and MUONA (1974), as well as to M. tenuis of the authors, and provided new illustrations of the aedeagus and the spermatheca.. Moreover, he stated that the holotype lacked genitalia even at the time of the description, that (based on the chaetotaxy of sternite VIII the specimen was in fact a male, and that "the structure figured as the spermatheca is a part of the alimentary canal". We conclude that, based on the illustrations of the aedeagus and the spermatheca provided by MUONA (1991), as well as on the external characters of the holotype, the specimen is conspecific with M. moczarskii .

Meotica anglica was a manuscript name until it was made available in an article by MUONA (1991), who, in a footnote on p. 233, emphasized that the "description is to be regarded as written by Dr. Benick". Consequently, BENICK (1991) is the author of this species. According to MUONA (1991), the holotype is deposited in BMNH and the genitalia are very similar to those of M. finnmarchica, from which this species is distinguished by larger eyes. However, the illustrations of the aedeagus and the spermatheca provided in the article do not present convincing evidence that M. anglica is distinct from M. moczarskii , which is why we consider the former the macropterous morph of M. moczarskii and M. anglica a junior synonym of this name.

Diagnosis: Pale-coloured and wing-dimorpic species.

♂: sternite VIII ( Fig. 48 ) strongly transverse, posterior margin weakly convex; median lobe of aedeagus approximately 0.25 mm long and shaped as in Figs 53-58 ; apical lobe of paramere blackish.

♀: posterior margin of sternite VIII broadly produced, truncate or weakly concave in the middle ( Fig. 49 ); spermatheca of simple shape, similar to that of M. parasita ( Figs 50- 51 ).

Confirmed distribution: Norway, Sweden, Finland, Great Britain, Morocco, Spain, France, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Slovakia, Italy, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Albania, Macedonia, Greece, Cyprus, Turkey.

Figures

Figs 39-52: Meotica parasita (39-47), M. moczarskii (48-51; 48: lectotype; 49-50: paralectotype), and M. wunderlei (52): (39, 48) male sternite VIII; (40-43) median lobe of aedeagus in lateral and in ventral view; (44, 49) female sternite VIII (45-47, 50-52); spermatheca. Scale bars: 0.1 mm.

Figs 53-59: Meotica moczarskii (53-58; 53: lectotype; 54-55: paralectotype; 56: North Germany; 57: Morocco; 58: Turkey) and M. wunderlei (59): median lobe of aedeagus in lateral and in ventral view. Scale bar: 0.1 mm.