Trechus baleensis ( Basilewsky, 1974 )

Schmidt, Joachim & Faille, Arnaud, 2018, Revision of Trechus Clairville, 1806 of the Bale Mountains and adjacent volcanos, Ethiopia (Coleoptera, Carabidae, Trechini), European Journal of Taxonomy 446, pp. 1-82 : 74-75

Trechus baleensis ( Basilewsky, 1974)

Cothresia baleensis Basilewsky, 1974: 155 ; locus typicus: Bale Province, Ridge of Mt Batu, Deekasura Pass, ca. 36 km S of Dinshu, Bale Mts, alt. 4150 m, 6°55′ N, 39°46′ E.

Trechus baleensis – Geginat 2008: 123.

Type material

Not studied. The species was revised by Geginat (2008: 125) with presentation of a photo of the male genitalia. Identification is also based on additional material collected at the type locality.

Material examined

ETHIOPIA: 3 ³³, Bale Mts, Finchaya Habera Camp, river valley, alt. 3400–3500 m, 07°00′ N, 39°43′ E, 20–21 Feb. 2013 ( CSCHM); 3 ♀♀, same data as for preceding, 3470 m, 07°00′32″ N, 39°43′26″ E, 2 Feb. 2015 ( CSCHM); 1 ³, Bale Mts, Mararo Camp, river valley, alt. 3700 m, 06°57.831 N, 39°43.833 E, 39°43.833′ E, 22 Feb. 2013 ( CSCHM); 8 ³³, 4 ♀♀, Oromia, Bale Mts, env. Wasama Camp, alt. 3900– 4150 m, 06°55′ N, 39°46′ E, 23–25 Feb. 2013 (= type locality) ( CAF, CSCHM); 2 ♀♀, Bale Mts, river S of Tulu Dimtu, alt. 3850–4150 m, 06°48–49′ N, 39°47–48′ E, 27 Feb. 2013 ( CSCHM); 2 ³³, 1 ♀, N slope Bale Mts, Kaficha Valley, alt. 3960 m, 27 Feb. 2015, 06°59′12″ N, 39°51′53″ E ( CSCHM); 1 ♀, Sanetti Camp, near road, alt. 3865 m, 06°47′42″ N, 39°47′03″ E, 28 Feb. 2015 ( CSCHM); 2 ³³, 1 ♀, Bale Mts, brook valley above Goba, alt. 3750–3800 m, 06°54′42″ N, 39°54′38″ E, 19 Feb. 2017 ( CAF, CSCHM); 2 ³³, Bale Mts, Tegona Valley above Goba, alt. 3550 m, 06°54′42″ N, 39°53′35″ E, 20 Feb. 2017 ( CAF, CSCHM); 4 ³³, 2 ♀♀, Bale Mts, SE Sanetti Plateau, near Mt Abalk-hasim, alt. 3760 m, 10 Dec. 2017, 06°45′10″ N, 39°49′36″ E ( CAF, CSCHM); 8 ³³, 6 ♀♀, Bale Mts, Sanetti Plateau, Tulu Dimtu, alt. 4180–4380m, 11 Dec. 2017, 06°49′ N, 39°49′ E ( CAF, CSCHM, ZMAA); 1 ³, 8 ♀♀, Bale Mts, SE Sanetti Plateau, SW of Tulu Dimtu, alt. 3800–3820 m, 06°46′43″ N, 39°46′47″ E, 11 Dec. 2007 ( CAF); 6 ³³, 8 ♀♀, same data as for preceding but alt. 3820 m, 15 Dec. 2017, 06°46′43″ N, 39°46′47″ E ( CSCHM).

Identification

This species is very similar to the sympatric T. rotundicollis , but smaller on average (body length 5.2–6.2 mm), colour of dorsal surface darker and shinier with elytra distinctly iridescent, elytral microsculpture with meshes narrower, more finely engraved, and aedeagal median lobe much shorter

(see Geginat 2008: 125). For comparison with its allopatric sister species, T. chillalicus from Mt Chillalo, see Diagnosis chapter of the latter, below.

Distribution

Endemic to the northern slope of the Bale Mts and the high river valleys of the Sanetti Plateau. The species has been found at altitudes of 3400–4150 m.