Orthomus berytensis (Reiche & Saulcy, 1855)

Gueorguiev, Borislav, Wrase, David W. & Farkac, Jan, 2014, Revision of the East Mediterranean Orthomus (Coleoptera, Carabidae, Pterostichini), with description of Parorthomus gen. n. socotranus sp. n. from Socotra Island and key to the Old World genera of subtribe Euchroina, ZooKeys 427, pp. 21-57 : 25-31

Taxon classification Animalia Coleoptera Carabidae

Orthomus berytensis (Reiche & Saulcy, 1855) Figs 1, 4, 8, 12, 16

Feronia (Argutor) berytensis Reiche & Saulcy, 1855: 618 (type locality: "De Beyrouth")

Feronia (Argutor) longula Reiche & Saulcy, 1855: 616, part

Feronia (Argutor) proelonga Reiche & Saulcy, 1855: 619 (type locality: "Des bords du Jourdain"), syn. n.

Feronia elongata Chaudoir, 1859: 116 (type locality: “Moräa, Beyruth und Alexandrien."), syn. n.

Feronia varinii ? Gautier des Cottes, 1866: 178 (type locality: “Sardinia”)

Feronia atlantica Fairmaire, 1875: 543 (type locality: “Mogador” [Essaouira, Morocco])

Othomus [sic] longior Chaudoir, 1873: 105, part

Feronia (Orthomus) barbara : Piochard de la Brûlerie, 1876: 416

Orthomus barbarus berytensis : Mateu, 1955: 56, 76

Orthomus muluyensis Antoine, 1957: 205 (type locality: Guercif)

Pterostichus (Orthomus) haligena Wollaston, 1860: 87 (type locality: "Great Salvage")

Note.

The taxon haligena, described from the Salvage Islands belongs to Orthomus berytensis (see Machado 1992: 260, Lorenz 1998: 249, 2005: 265) and not to Orthomus barbarus where it was quoted by Bousquet (2003: 477), as a subspecies, erroneously with the distribution data Madeira. The examination of 13 specimens (Ilhas Selvagens, Selvagem Grande, SE. sublittoral zone, 65-90 m (under stones), XI/XII 2006, D. Putzer leg., DWBG) in comparison with specimens from the Canaries and from Morocco revealed some differences, namely a smaller body size and a strong elytral reticulation in males, almost as strong as in females. These differences could suggest that we deal with a distinct taxon but further investigations are needed. The taxonomic status of the names atlantica and muluyensis, both partly considered in the literature as a “forma” or a subspecies of berytensis or as a synonym to this name must be cleared up by further investigation of a larger sample of material.

Type material.

Feronia berytensis Reiche & Saulcy, 1855. Consists of six syntypes, 4 ♂♂, 1 ♀ preserved in MHNG and 1 ♂ in MNHP. The study revealed conspecificity. The specimens in MHNG are placed under a Melly’s taxa label "longulus Reiche, var: berytensis Reiche. " [handwritten by Melly with pen]. Further, all specimens bear individually the following two labels "Coll. Reiche" [black print on white label] and " Orthomus longulus Reiche var. berytensis Reiche Label MHNG 2010" [black print on white label by Cuccodoro]. In addition, the male selected as lectotype with label, subsequently added: "Lectotype Feronia berytensis Reiche & Saulcy, 1855 B. Guéorguiev & D.W.Wrase des. 2012" [black print on red label], the remaining five: "Paralectotype Feronia berytensis Reiche & Saulcy, 1855 B. Guéorguiev & D.W.Wrase des. 2012" [black print on red label]. The genitalia of the lectotype and of a further male paralectotype from MHNG were examined and glued to cards, pinned beneath the specimens from which they had been removed. The specimen from MNHP is a male, with previously extracted genitalia and glued on a separate card pinned beneath the specimen. This sample bears two old labels equal in size and type: "berytensis type Reiche" [handwritten on white label by Mateu], “Syrie” [handwritten on white label by Chaudoir], as well as a new one: "Paralectotype Feronia berytensis Reiche & Saulcy, 1855 B. Guéorguiev & D.W.Wrase des. 2012" [black print on red label]. All six specimens with a label, subsequently added: " Orthomus berytensis (Reiche & Saulcy) det. B. Guéorguiev” [black print on white label].

We got the information that the part of the Reiche collection housed in MHNG was integrated into the general collection (which was build up essentially from the collection of André Melly) with all specimens with: "Coll. Reiche" but usually there are neither locality, nor identification labels attached to individual specimens, and that identification and locality data figure only on the 'taxa labels' (handwritten by Melly) pinned to the bottom of the drawer, which have thus to be considered as pertaining collectively to the specimens pinned above (Cuccodoro in litt.). The species was described from “Beyruth”, taking into consideration the above mentioned facts concerning labelling of the types we suppose the above mentioned typical specimens as coming from the type locality.

Type material. Feronia longula Reiche & Saulcy, 1855 (specimens belonging to Orthomus berytensis ). The type series in MHNG contains two specimens belonging to Orthomus berytensis : 1 ♀, "Jaffa, Syrie" [Reiche's handwriting on yellow label], "Coll. Reiche" [black print on white label], " Orthomus longulus Reiche Label MHNG 2010" [black print on white label by G. Cuccodoro]; 1 ♂, "Coll. Reiche" [black print on white label], " Orthomus longulus Reiche 'Egypte, Syrie.' Label MHNG 2010" [black print on white label by G. Cuccodoro], and with labels subsequently added: "Paralectotype Feronia longula Reiche & Saulcy, 1855 B. Guéorguiev & D.W.Wrase des. 2012" [black print on red label], " Orthomus berytensis (Reiche & Saulcy) det. B. Guéorguiev” [black print on white label].

Type material. Feronia proelonga Reiche & Saulcy, 1855. Consists of 2 ♂♂, 2 ♀♀ preserved in MHNG and 1 ♂ in MNHP, all conspecific. The specimens in MHNG are placed under a Melly’s taxa label "var: praelongus Reiche, Palestine" [handwritten by A. Melly with pen]. One male specimen, chosen for lectotype bears the following labels: “Jourdain” [Reiche's handwriting on yellow label], "Coll. Reiche" [black print on white label], " Orthomus praelongu [sic!] Reiche ‘Palestine.’ Label MHNG 2010" [black print on white label by Cuccodoro], "Lectotype Feronia proelonga Reiche & Saulcy, 1855 B. Guéorguiev & D.W.Wrase des. 2012" [black print on red label]. One male and two females from MHNG: "Coll. Reiche" [black print on white label], " Orthomus praelongu [sic!] Reiche ‘Palestine.’ Label MHNG 2010" [black print on white label by G. Cuccodoro], "Paralectotype Feronia proelonga Reiche & Saulcy, 1855 B. Guéorguiev & D.W.Wrase des. 2012" [black print on red label] are accordingly designated. All four specimens with a label, subsequently added: " Orthomus berytensis (Reiche & Saulcy) det. B. Guéorguiev” [black print on white label]. The genitalia of the lectotype and the male paralectype from MHNG examined by ourselves (the apices of both median lobes were found damaged!) and glued to cards together with the respective specimens. The specimen from MNHP, designated as paralectotype, was with previously extracted genitalia. Its aedeagus and parameres are glued to a separate card pinned beneath the specimen. Additionally, this paralectotype bears two old labels equal in size and type: "proelongus type Reiche" [handwritten on white label by Mateu] and “Jourdain” [handwritten on white label by Chaudoir], as well as a new one: "Paralectotype Feronia proelonga Reiche & Saulcy, 1855 B. Guéorguiev & D.W.Wrase des. 2012" [black print on red label]. All specimens with a label, subsequently added: " Orthomus berytensis (Reiche & Saulcy) det. B. Guéorguiev” [black print on white label].

The study of the type material of Feronia proelonga found that this taxon is to be removed from synonymy with Orthomus barbarus barbarus (cfr. Bousquet 2003: 477) and treated as conspecific with Orthomus berytensis . Originally, it was separated by the authors in the relatively shorter size of body and pronotum seemingly more transversal, with two basal impressions distinct and strongly punctured. We found such variations in the populations of Orthomus berytensis coming from modern-day Israel.

Type material. Feronia elongata Chaudoir, 1859. We were unable to find any type specimen(s) of this taxon, but the description and especially the distribution Chaudoir gave for his species ( Chaudoir 1859: 116) let us draw the conclusion that he dealt with Orthomus berytensis . This view is consistent with that of Chaudoir (1873: 105) who synonymized his Orthomus elongatus partly with Orthomus longulus sensu Wollaston (1864: 47), and Wollaston (1865: 39), which concerns, according to Machado (1992: 259), Orthomus berytensis . On the other side, the first locality listed by the author from among the type one is “Moräa”. Morea was the name of the Peloponnese Peninsula in South Greece during the early modern period (ca. 1500-1800). At present, based on recent data ( Arndt et al. 2011: 58, present work: 'Other material studied’), we certainly know that only Orthomus berytensis inhabits this part of the East Mediterranean. Therefore we propose the synonymy of Feronia elongata with Feronia berytensis .

Type material. Orthomus longior Chaudoir, 1873 (specimens belonging to Orthomus berytensis ). The type series in MNHP contains 3 ♀♀ which belong to Orthomus berytensis . These samples are considered syntypes of Orthomus longior as they and a fourth specimen, which is here designated lectotype of Orthomus longior (for that specimen see under Orthomus longior ), were found alongside in the former collection of René and Charles Oberthür who acquired the Chaudoir collection. Each of the three specimens bears the labels: “longior” [red handwritten with ball-pen on white label by Mateu], and, subsequently added: "Paralectotype Orthomus longior Chaudoir, 1873 B. Guéorguiev & D.W.Wrase des. 2012" [black print on red label], and: " Orthomus berytensis (Reiche & Saulcy) det. B. Guéorguiev” [black print on white label].

Other material studied.

IMPRECISE LOCALITY: 1 ♂, "Syrie Gory." (MHNG).

GREECE: 1 ♂, “Graecia” / "Sammlung Schroeder" (MIZ); 1 ♀, "L. Miller Graecia" (ZMAN). Atticí: 1 ♂, "Graecia Attica", von Oertzen" (ZMAN); 3 ♂♂, 2 ♀♀, "b. Athen v. O." (ZMAN); 1 ♂, Peloponnes", X 2009, Umlauf leg. (DWBG). Crete: Rethymno Prefecture, 1 ♀, "Adele, IV.1986, Egger leg." (NMW).

NORTHERN CYPRUS: Gazimağusa District: 2 ♀♀, Agia Napa, 8.IV.1983, J. Nielsen leg (DWBG); 1 ♂, 2 ♀♀, 3 km W Agia Napa, 9.-14.IV.1999, A. Pütz leg. (DWBG); 1 ♀, Agia Napa env., middle IV 1998, M. Sieber leg. (DWBG); 6 ♂♂, 1 ♀, Ydatodexameni Kouklion, Mantres tou Prastio, ca 16 km W Famagusta, 500 m, 35°07'N, 33°46'E (fallow land with Salicornia/Sueda), 20.II.2011, D.W.Wrase leg. [5] (DWBG); 2 ♂♂, same data but: loamy field edge (DWBG).

UN BUFFER ZONE (Cyprus): 5 spec., Achna dam, 11.12.2006, under stones, K. Austin & E. Small leg. (BMNH, NMNHS).

REPUBLIC OF CYPRUS: Larnaca District: 1 ♂, 2 ♀♀, Pyla [ “Pula”], 22.I.1992, J. Hořyna leg. (DWBG).

SYRIA: Gouvernement Dar'a: 1 ♀, Buṣrā (free zone), 100 km S Damascus, 5.XII.2007, R. Kmeco leg. (DWBG).

ISRAEL: 1 ♂, Palestine Negev, 8.2.19, leg. Bythinsky-Salz (TAU); 5 ♂♂, 5 ♀♀, Palestyna Dzebata 25.XII.25 (MIZ). - Jerusalem District: 1 ♂, Kiryat Anavim, 8.4.1948 (TAU). Northern District: 1 spec., Golan, Tel Quazir, 29.3.-26.4.87, Richter leg. (NMW). - Tel Aviv District: 1 ♂, Tel-Aviv, 19.X.1987, G. Coulon leg. (TAU). - Central District: 1 ♂, 1 ♀, SW Khadera (brackish pond), 27.III.2008, D.W.Wrase leg. (DWBG); 2 ♂♂, 1 ♀, Nitsanim, dunes betw. Ashdod and Ashkelon, 29.III.2008, D.W.Wrase leg. (DWBG). - Haifa District: 2 ♂♂, 1 ♀, Atlit, 16.XI.1998, V. Chikatunov leg. (TAU); 2 ♀♀, Salines at Atlit, S Haifa, 30.III.2008, D.W.Wrase leg. (DWBG). - South District: 1 ♀, Revivim, 2.8.1958, Coll. Krystal J. (TAU); 1 ♀, Segula, Qiryat Gat, 5.v.1996, V. Chikatunov leg. (TAU); 1 ♀, Ashdod, 7.12.96, R. Hoffman leg. (TAU); 1 ♂, 1 ♀, Ofaqim, 11.ii.1997, L. Friedman leg. (TAU); 2 ♂♂, 1 ♀, Ha Bsor, Nakhal Bsor, ca 12 km SW Ofakim (banks, leaf litter, under plants, sifted), 22.III.2008, D.W.Wrase leg. (DWBG); 1 ♂, Gilat, SW Jerusalem, E Gaza, 31°20'N, 34°40'E, olive plantation, 29.III.2011, M. Kurtz leg. (MPHG).

Gaza Strip: 8 ♂♂, 5 ♀♀, Env. Gaza, 30.III.1987, W. Heinz leg. (DWBG); 9 spec., Gaza Umg., 29.3.-26.4.87, Richter leg. (NMW).

LIBYA: Tripoli District: 8 spec., Tripoli, 0-20 m, 12-18.04.1998, P. Beron leg. (NMNHS); 1 ♀, Tripoli, IV 1982, Březina leg. (DWBG); 4 spec., Tripoli, Soani Road, 4.XII.1982, V. Pamukov leg. (NMNHS); 1 ♀, 4 km W Sidi Muhammad al Mabkhud, 32°28'53.3"N, 20°56'29.4"E, 333 m, 21.V.2002, A. Reiter leg. (DWBG). - Binghazi District: 1 ♂, 1 ♀, Tolmeitha (Ptolemais), 19.III.2000, J. Kny & P. Ru dich leg. (DWBG). - Jabal al Akhdar District: 1 ♂, Susa, Apollonia, 22.II.83, O. Kodym leg. (DWBG).

EGYPT: 2 ♀♀, Cairo-Alexandria, 8.5.1956, W. Kühnell leg. (NMW). - Faiyum Governorate: 4 ♂♂, 2 ♀♀, Kom Oshim, 1.5.1956, W. Kühnell leg. (NMW). - North Sinai Governorate: 1 ♀, El-Arish 11.1.57, A. Sabay leg. (TAU). - Alexandria Governorate: 1 ♂, 100 km S Alexandria, 19.I.1994, W. Ullrich leg. (DWBG). - Beni Suef Governorate: 1 ♂, 1 ♀, El Shanawaya, 1.IX.1994, W. Ullrich leg. (DWBG); 1 ♂, the same but 29.V.1995 (DWBG); 1 ♀, the same but 4.VI.1995 (DWBG); 5 ♂♂, 3 ♀♀, the same but 12.V.1995 (DWBG). - Cairo Governorate: 1 ♂, 1 ♀, Helwan, 19.I.1931, W. Roszkowski leg. (MIZ); 1 ♀, El Maadi, 8.XI.1993, W. Ullrich leg. (DWBG). - Ismaïlia Governorate: 3 ♀♀, Abu Suweir-el-Mahatta, 19.XII.1995, W. Ullrich leg. (DWBG); 1 ♂, Waraura, 4.VI.1995, W. Ullrich leg. (DWBG).

Distribution in eastern Mediterranean area.

Reported from Greece: Greek mainland ( “Attika” [Attica], Ionian Island ("Zante [Zakynthos]), Apfelbeck 1904: 257, as Pterostichus barbarus , and Aegean Islands ( “Rodos” [Rhodes]), Schatzmayr 1935: 242, as Pterostichus barbarus , 1942: 67, as Pterostichus barbarus longulus ). In Greece recently collected only on Crete and also on the Peloponnese. Turkey ( Casale and Vigna Taglianti 1999: 382), Syria (only in the extreme South West), Israel, Gaza Strip, on Cyprus, in Libya (coastal regions), and Egypt (mainly in the North West).