5. Carabus (Lipaster) stjernvalli bogatshevi Zamotajlov, 1989, stat. resurr.

(Figs. 1, 15)

Material examined. Holotype, ♂, labelled “ Transcaucasus, mt. Tshareli (= Chareli) near Borzhomi, 2100 m, 30 VII 1929, A. Bogačev leg.” (ZISP) . Paratypes, 2♂♂, labelled same as holotype (ZISP, CZAM) .

Remarks. Described from 10 male and 17 female specimens, collected by A.V. Bogačev in 1929, and later synonymized with C. stjernvalli tabackuriensis, known from the close locality (Fig. 1, red rhombus). Due to the courtesy of Dr. B. Kataev (ZISP), we had the opportunity to reexamine and measure several specimens of the type series, including the holotype, and found sufficient differences of these individuals from C. stjernvalli tabackuriensis (Fig. 116), so we resurrect here the subspecific status of C. stjernvalli bogatshevi .

The range of this form is known to occupy a small territory located west-southwards of C. stjernvalli tabackuriensis ’ range, with both subspecies distributed on neighbouring mountains with no visible substantial spatial barriers. This unexpected fact of speciation probably reflects the peripheral position of C. stjernvalli bogatshevi ’ geographic range with respect to the large range of C. stjernvalli tabackuriensis ’, occupying the vast territory of the Lesser Caucasus, similar in this respect to the small “marginal” ranges observed in both C. stjernvalli paravanicus subsp. nov. (southernmost extremity of the species’ range in Georgia) and C. stjernvalli kartalinicus subsp. nov. (northern-easternmost extremity of the species’ range in Georgia), which also inhabits the Trialeti Mountain Range and its nearest surroundings in the Lesser Caucasus (see Discussion section).

C. stjernvalli bogatshevi differs from C. stjernvalli tabackuriensis in generally somewhat more robust body, more transverse pronotum with less rounded sides and broader explanate margin distinctly widened basally; frons with less prominent, often somewhat smoothed sculpture; elytra less ovate and more parallel-sided. It is distinguishable from another closely distributed subspecies, C. stjernvalli paravanicus subsp. nov., in many respects, first of all, in the more transverse pronotum with more emarginate apex and hind angles stronger protruded backwards.