Singilis mesopotamicus Pic, 1901

Anichtchenko, Alexander, 2011, Review of subtribe Singilina Jeannel, 1949, of the Middle East and Central Asia (Coleoptera, Carabidae, Lebiini), ZooKeys 155, pp. 1-50 : 15-17

Singilis mesopotamicus Pic, 1901

Singilis (Phloeozeteus) plagiata var. mesopotamica Pic 1901: 89

Singilis (Phloezetaeus) apicalis Jedlička 1956: 204, syn. n. (synonymy presumed; type of Singilis mesopotamicus Pic, 1901, unavailable).

Phloeozetus plagiatius mesopotamicus : Kabak 2003: 438

Material examined.

AFGHANISTAN: S Jalalabad, S Agam 2000 m, 23.XII.1970, Kabakov leg. (1♀, ZIN); 20 km NO Kabul, 2000m, 10.IV.1970 Kabakov (1♂ 3♀♀, ZIN); same locality, 15.IV.1971 (1♂, ZIN); Ghazni W Moqur 2300m, 5.X.1972, Kabakov (1♂ 2♀♀, ZIN); same locality, 11.IX.1972 (1♀, ZIN); Kondahar, Ghbargay 2000 m, 20.III.1973, Kabakov (2♀♀, ZIN); Ghor Saghar 2500 m, 14.VIII.1970 (1♂, ZIN); Heart, NW Adraskan 26.X.1971 (1♂, ZIN); same locality, 20.XI.1071 (1♀, ZIN). IRAN: Chaharmahal-va-Bakhuyari prov., 10 km E Chaman Goli, 7-8.VI.2008, 3500m, Anichtchenko A. leg. (2♂♂, AAC); Kerman, Qohrud mts., 10 km E Korin, 3500m, 13.V.2007, Anichtchenko A. leg. (2♀♀, AAC); S Iran, Kerman prov., Balt area, Korin v., 17-19.V.2008, A. Klimenko leg. (1♂, AAC); Kerman prov., 15 km E Korin, 2800-3300m, Kuh-e-Lalehzar mt., 17-19.V.2008, Anichtchenko A. leg. (1♂, AAC); Kerman, Sargad, 24-26.VI.1898, N. Zarudnyi leg. (1♀, ZIN); same locality, 25-27.VIII.1898 (1♂, ZIN); same locality, 30.IV.1901 (1♀, ZIN); Perse, Bender-Bouchir, Dr. Bussieres, 1905 (1♀, MNHN); S Iran, 65 km nördl. Bandar-Abbas, 30.III.1972, Exped. Mus. Vind. (1 ex, NHMW). IRAQ: Bagdad, coll. Kálalová (6♂♂ 4♀♀, NMPC); Bagdad, Irak, coll. Kálalová (4 ex., NMPC); Bagdad, Ex Musaeo H.W. Bates 1892, Museum Paris, 1952, Coll. R. Oberthür (2♂♂ 2♀♀, MNHN). PAKISTAN: NW Pakistan, prov. Swat, 71°90' L/ 35°70' B, Madyan, 1400 m, am Licht, 19. VI– 4.VII.1971, leg. C. Holzschuh (2♂♂, NMPC); Northwest frontier Prov. Barseen, 35°21'42N, 73°12'42E, 900m, at light, No 26, 21.VII.1998, G. Csorba & L. Ronkay (1♂ 1♀, NHMW). TURKEY: Abanc-Sae, Preczmann, Aspock, Radda, 26.V.67 (1♀, NHMW).

Diagnosis.

Very similar in both external and aedeagal anatomy to Singilis turcicus . The widespread Singilis mesopotamicus somewhat varies in size, pronotal punctation, and elytral pattern. Endophallic anatomy in each species is rather uniform throughout its range, and the differences are minor and require further study. Singilis turcicus tends to be smaller, with elytra shorter and wider than in Singilis mesopotamicus , while the latter has a more transverse pronotum. In Singilis turcicus , the elytral spot is located immediately behind the middle, often restricted to innermost intervals, and never reaches elytral apices that are widely red-brown; while in Singilis mesopotamicus the spot is a bit farther posteriorly and usually reaches the apices (sometimes narrowly red-brown). Endophallic spine size is clearly different; small spines more numerous than in Singilis turcicus .

Redescription.

Length 5.0-6.3 mm. Yellowish brown, elytra behind the middle with piceous spot that may reach apical and lateral margins but sometimes not extended beyond interval 6 and often leaving elytral apices brownish red (Figs 14-15).

Head microsculptured and deeply irregularly punctate, punctures sometimes almost confluent in frontal depressions, on the frons separated by more than 3 diameters. Clypeus with a few punctures near base. Eyes large and bulging, with no setae at posterior margin. Second supraocular seta located just anterad the posterior margin of eye. Temples short and smooth. Scape with a very long seta and a few short thin setae; pedicel with a band of apical setae; antennomere III with two bands of setae (at mid-length and at apex). Antennae pubescent from the basal third of antennomere IV.

Pronotum pale yellow, sometimes shinier than head, 1.16-1.18 times as wide as head, 1.4-1.47 times as wide as long, widest just behind the marginal setae. Anterior margin straight, anterior angles effaced to slightly marked, sides very broadly and evenly rounded, slightly sinuate towards posterior angles, which are rectangular (normally) to subacute. Punctation, especially on disc, normally sparser and more delicate than on head; confluent and rugose towards lateral and posterior margins. Lateral explanate margin rapidly widens basad lateral setae, broad and flat at base. Posterior pore right in front of angle. Basal grooves shallow, punctate. Pronotal base extended in a rounded median lobe. Furrow variable. Microsculpture isodiametric.

Elytra 1.45-1.52 times as long as width in the middle. Intervals 1, 3, 5 and 7 each with minute setae and two irregular rows of pores from base to apex, often poorly visible. Even intervals may also bear a few setae in apical areas. Interval 7 convex and narrower than the adjacent intervals. Microsculpture nearly isodiametric. Apices slightly sinuate. Striae narrow and slightly punctate. Intervals slightly convex at base and flat behind the middle.

Legs brownish yellow. Metatarsomere V with 3-4 pairs of ventral setae. Propleura slightly wavy rugose towards sternum and coxae. Claws with 5 teeth. Venter brownish yellow throughout. All abdominal sterna pubescent; pubescence as short as on metatarsomere IV.

Aedeagus - Fig. 37. Aedeagal median lobe slender, ventral surface straight at midlength, apical fifth of lobe slightly downturned, tip long.

Variation.

Varies in size, elytral pattern (dark spot may be reduced), shape of posterior pronotal angles (usually acute and prominent but may be rectangular and less prominent). In almost all specimens from Afghanistan the apical spot reaches elytral apices, and the series of punctures in intervals 5 and 7 are shorter. Pakistani specimens have more convex elytral intervals.

Comments.

Jedlička (1956: 204) described Singilis apicalis from four syntypes (all NMPC): Afghanistan, Nuristan, Bashgultal (3♀♀); Asmar (1♀). Recent catalogues place this species in Agatus ( Kabak 2003; Lorenz 2005).

Singilis plagiatus mesopotamicus Pic, 1901, was described from Baghdad. The original description says that the type is in coll. Pic (MNHN), but my attempts to locate it have been unsuccessful. However, 4 specimens of Singilis apicalis labeled "Bagdad" I've found in MNHN match the original description of Singilis plagiatus mesopotamicus . All other Singilis specimens (14 total) from Baghdad area I have examined were Singilis apicalis . Therefore I presume Singilis apicalis to be synonymous with Singilis mesopotamicus .

Distribution.

Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq (country record), Pakistan (country record), Turkey (country record), Turkmenistan.