Carabus (Archiplectes) besleticus napraensis Belousov & Zamotajlov, 1993

Solodovnikov, Igor A., Zamotajlov, Alexandr S., Fominykh, Dmitriy D. & Titarenko, Andrey Y., 2014, Contribution to the knowledge of the Carabus (Archiplectes) satyrus Kurnakov, 1962, species complex in Abkhazia (Coleoptera, Carabidae, Carabini), ZooKeys 463, pp. 21-56 : 29-30

Carabus (Archiplectes) besleticus napraensis Belousov & Zamotajlov, 1993 Figs 1, 2, 7, 25-27, 62-65

Carabus (Archiplectes) satyrus napraensis Belousov & Zamotajlov, 1993: 53 ("Bzybian Mt Range, vicinity of Mt Chibzharga"); Bousquet et al. 2003: 132; Retezár 2008: 41.

Carabus (Tribax) satyrus napraensis : Deuve 2004: 275.

Comparative material examined.

50 paratype specimens were examined (4 specimens measured, 6 male genitalia preparations studied): 21 males, 29 females, Abkhazia, Gudauta Distr., Bzybian Mt. Range, vicinities of Mt. Chibzharga, 1900-2000 m, 20.VI-26.VII.1992, leg. I. Belousov, A. Zamotajlov, A. Miroshnikov (cFDD, cSIA, cZAM).

Description.

Small or medium-sized form, 22-31 mm long (see Belousov and Zamotajlov 1993). Underside black, dorsum normally with bright metallic lustre, green, bronze, less often dark blue, violet, black-violet, black, females matte to faintly nitidous. Body slender.

Head not inflated. Pronotum variable in shape, subcordate, transverse. PW/PL = 1.27-1.31 (1.29) in males and 1.48-1.49 (1.48) in females, PW/PB = 1.18-1.27 (1.22) in males and 1.20-1.22 (1.21) in females, hind angles strongly protruding backwards, somewhat pointed apically. Median groove distinct in females, microsculpture of pronotum fine, disk transversally or irregularly rugose, rugosity gradually strengthening towards median groove. Elytra oblong-ovate, more elongate and somewhat convex in males, with inconspicuous depression in the middle in females. EL/EW = 1.67-1.74 (1.70) in males and 1.70-1.81 (1.75) in females. Elytral sculpture distinctly heterodynamous, forming distinct series of short links in females and somewhat smoothed in males. The main morphometric measurements of studied populations see Table 2 .

Shape of male genitalia is practically identical to other Carabus (Archiplectes) besleticus taxa. The endophallus differs from Carabus (Archiplectes) satyrus in the shape ofsaccellus, which is more elongate and more redundant, characteristic for populations dwelling in an interfluve of r. Kealasur and Bzyb. The drawing of the paratype aedeagus by Belousov and Zamotajlov (1993) shows different apical lamella with two characteristic tubercles on the sides.

Differential diagnosis.

Habitually resembles Carabus (Archiplectes) besleticus duripshensis from which it differs in a less elongate and more ovate, often ovoid, elytral shape, less cordate pronotum with fainter protruding hind angles, smooth elytral sculpture, and smaller average body size. This subspecies also differs in habitat - Carabus (Archiplectes) besleticus duripshensis populates forest belt, and less often an alpestrine belt of Mt. Chipshira, while Carabus besleticus napraensis dwells in alpestrine and alpine belts. Morphometric characters of this subspecies are illustrated in Figures 1 - 2.

Distribution.

As far as it is known, populates alpine and alpestrine belts of Bzybian karstic figau near mountains Napra and Chibzharga at 1900-2250 m.

Habitat.

Carabus (Archiplectes) satyrus napraensis prefers herb alpine and subalpine meadows. Activity of imago proceeds from May to August, beetles being active when snow cover starts melting. Carabus (Megodontus) septemcarinatus , Carabus (Procechenochilus) adangensis gusevi Zamotajlov & Koval, 1989, Carabus (Procrustes) clypeatus kurnakovi Kryzhanovskij, 1968, Carabus (Tribax) certus Reitter, 1896, and Carabus (Tribax) circassicus circassicus (natio abasinus ) occur together with this subspecies.