Lethrus (Mesolethrus) shakhristanicus Nikolajev, 2003

Shapovalov, Andrey M. & Bagaturov, Mikhail F., 2023, A review of the subgenus Mesolethrus Nikolajev, 2003 of the genus Lethrus Scopoli, 1777 (Coleoptera: Geotrupidae: Lethrinae) with description of a new species, Zootaxa 5351 (4), pp. 435-452 : 439

Lethrus (Mesolethrus) shakhristanicus Nikolajev, 2003

( Figs. 3 , 11–12, 24 , 33 )

Lethrus (Furcilethrus) nuratavicus Nikolajev, 1987: 42 (partim studied material from: “Nuratau Mountain Range, Asmansay gorge”, currently Jizzakh Reg. of Uzbekistan).

Lethrus (Mesolethrus) shakhristanicus Nikolajev 2003: 129 (original description, type locality: “ Tajikistan, Turkestan Mountain Range, Shahriston env.”, key, distribution: Fig. 90 Nr. 4, parameres: Fig. 91 Nr. 2); Král & Nikolajev 2006: 94 (catalogue); Bagaturov & Nikolajev 2015: 312 (distribution, taxonomic note); Nikolajev et al. 2016: 50 (catalogue).

Type material examined. Lethrus (M.) shakhristanicus . Paratype ♂ with labels “ Tajikistan, [Sughd Region] Turkest [an]. khr [Mountain Range,]. env. [of] Shakhristan [= Shahriston] 26.v. 1972 g. Shukhronaev S. [leg.]” [in Russian], “Paratypus Lethrus shakhristanicus Nikolajev 2003 ” [red label] ( GNPC) .

Lethrus (M.) nuratavicus . Paratypes 1 ♂ 1 ♀: “Uzb. [ekistan, Jizzax Reg.,] Nuratau [Mt. Range,] Asmansay [,] 15.v.1986 [, G.] Nikolajev [leg.]” [in Russian], “Paratypus Lethrus nuratavicus Nikolajev ” [printed red text on white paper] ( GNPC) .

Additional material examined. Uzbekistan. 1 ♂: Uzbekistan, Jizzax Reg., Nuratau Mt. Range, Jangiqishlak , 24.iv.2002, O. & I. Legezin leg. ( MBPC) ; 7 ♂♂ 4 ♀♀: Uzbekistan, Jizzax Reg. , 28 km SW Zaamin, Malguzar Mt. Range, 39°43’12”N, 68°14’57”E, 2000 m a.s.l., 17.iv.2021, S. Dyonin & I. Dyonina leg. ( ASPC) ; Kyrgyzstan. 15 ♂♂ 12 ♀♀: Kyrgyzstan, Batken Reg., Leilek Distr., 9 km S Ai-Kol , Turkestan Mt. Range, 39°43’N 69°38’E, 13.v.2016, 2100 m a.s.l. ( ASPC) ; 1 ♂ 3 ♀♀: same data ( MBPC) .

Diagnosis. Gena near rectangular: laterally widely truncate, anterolateral and posterolateral angles nearly right ( Figs. 3 , 33 ); gena 1.9–2.5 times as large as eye width. Punctation of head and pronotum comparatively fine and small, elytral striae thin and superficial ( Fig. 3 ). Dorsal surface of body with faint bronze tinge, in older and abraded specimens—black. Parameres relatively narrow, sinuous along inner edge, in lateral view apically appearing acuminate ( Figs. 11–12 ). Sclerotized apex of endophallus wide at the base, in dorsal view suboval, anteriorly with prominent spine ( Fig. 24 ). Body length 11–18 mm.

Distribution. Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan. Central part of the Turkestan Mountain Range in northern Tajikistan and south-western Kyrgyzstan, Nuratau and Malguzar Mountain Ranges in Uzbekistan (see map, Fig. 44 ).

Ecology. The populations in 9 km southwards Ai-Kol and 28 km south-westwards Zaamin are inhabits steppe landscapes partly planted with local rainfed fields near beginning of the juniper belt ( Figs. 46–47 ) at altitudes about 2000–2100 m. Studied material from another localities of the species lacks altitude data.Activity of imago is recorded from middle of April to late May. The species is occurs sympatrically with L. nuratavicus and L. microbuccis .

Notes. Among the type series of L. nuratavicus we found two paratypes (one male and one female) which are actually belongs to L. shakhristanicus because of fine punctation of head and pronotum, faint bronze tinge of dorsal surface of body and shape of the male genitalia.

Figures

FIGURE 44. Map of distribution Lethrus (Mesolethrus) species: 1, Tashsay env.; 2, south from Belovutsoy River; 3, Khujand; 4, Golbo; 5, 9 km S Ai-Kol; 6, Shahriston env.; 7, Zaamin env.; 8, 28 km SW Zaamin; 9, Sudzhina; 10, Mullabulak; 11, Asmansay; 12, Jangiqishlak env.; 13, 11 km southeast of Djush; 14, Samarkand; 15, 65 km on Samarkand to Qarshi road; 16, Qaynarbuloq; 17, Ruskishlak; 18, 30 km East to Kitab, Qashqadaryo Riv.; 19, Qamar; 20, Guldara; 21, Qarshi; 22, Gumbulok; 23, Okravot Pass; 24, Shurob; 25, Boysun; 26, 20 km W Oqmachit; 27, Chagam; 28, Oqmachit; 29, Shahrinav; 30, Dushanbe env.; 31, Dahanakiik; 32, Yavon; 33, Chormagzak Pass.; 34, Fayzobod; 35, Nurek; 36, Pashtamazar; 37, Kulob. 1–2, 7–8, 10–28 Uzbekistan; 4–5 Kyrgyzstan, 3, 6, 9, 29–37 Tajikistan. Red circles—localities of L. dyonini A. Shapovalov & Bagaturov, new species (1—type locality: Tashsay); circles with green colour—localities of L. microbuccis Ballion, 1871 (3—type locality: Khujand); circles with white colour—localities of L. shakhristanicus Nikolajev, 2003 (6—type locality: Shahriston env.); circles with blue colour—localities of L. nuratavicus Nikolajev, 1987 (11—type locality: Asmansay); circles with yellow colour— localities of L. elisae Nikolajev, 2001 (24—type locality: Shurob); circles with orange colour—localities of L. inermis Reitter, 1897 (37—type locality: Kulab?); orange asterisk—Kyrgyzstan, Taldyk (erroneous record of L. inermis from Protzenko 1968).

FIGURE 46. Locality of L. microbuccis Ballion, 1871, L. shakhristanicus Nikolajev, 2003 and L. nuratavicus Nikolajev, 1987, 28 km southwest of Zaamin, Malguzar Mountain Range, Jizzax Region, Uzbekistan, photograph by S. Dyonin.

FIGURE 47. Locality of L. shakhristanicus and L.microbuccis (green lowland infront of the more distant mountains) southwards Ai-Kol, Turkestan Mountain Range, Batken Reg., Kyrgyzstan, photograph by A. Zhdanko.

FIGURES 1–4. Lethrus (Mesolethrus) species, male, habitus. 1–2, L. inermis Reitter, 1897 (1—Dahanakiik; 2—20 km W Oqmachit); 3, L. shakhristanicus Nikolajev, 2003 (9 km S Ai-Kol); 4, L. nuratavicus Nikolajev, 1987 (28 km SW Zaamin).

FIGURES 9–31. Lethrus (Mesolethrus) species, males genitalia. 9–10, 22–23, L. inermis Reitter, 1897 (9–10—20 km W Oqmachit, 22–23—Pashtamazar); 11–12, 24, L. shakhristanicus Nikolajev, 2003 (9 km S Ai-Kol); 13–14, 25–27, L. nuratavicus Nikolajev, 1987 (28 km SW Zaamin); 15–16, 28, L. microbuccis Ballion, 1871 (Golbo env.); 15–16, 28, L. microbuccis Ballion, 1871 (Golbo env.); 17–18, 29, L. elisae Nikolajev, 2001 (Shurob); 19–21, 30–31, L. dyonini A. Shapovalov & Bagaturov, new species, paratypes (environs of Tashsay). 9–21 aedeagus (9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19–20—ventral view; 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 21—lateral view), 22–31 sclerotized apex of endophallus (22, 24, 25, 28–30 dorsal view, 23, 26, 31—lateral view, 27—ventral view).

FIGURES 32–43. Lethrus (Mesolethrus) species. 32, 39, L. inermis Reitter, 1897 (Dahanakiik); 33, L. shakhristanicus Nikolajev, 2003 (9 km S Ai-Kol); 34, L. nuratavicus Nikolajev, 1987 (28 km SW Zaamin); 35, 40–42, L. microbuccis Ballion, 1871 (35, 41—Golbo env., 39—Mullabulak, 40—20 km S Guldara); 36, L. elisae Nikolajev, 2001 (Shurob); 37–38, 40–41, L. dyonini A. Shapovalov & Bagaturov, new species, paratypes (environs of Tashsay). 32–37 gena, 38 left mandible, 39 abdomen (lateral view), 40–41 abdomen and apices of elytra (antero-ventral view; 40—male, 41—female), 42–43 tuft of long erect setae on subapical ventrite (lateral view; 42—male, 43—female).