Graphipterus distinctus Péringuey, 2012

Mawdsley, Jonathan R., 2012, A taxonomic review of the ancora species group of Graphipterus Latreille (Coleoptera: Carabidae), Insecta Mundi 2012 (228), pp. 1-11 : 6-7

Graphipterus distinctus Péringuey , new status

Figure 2

Graphipterus distinctus Péringuey (1898: 340) (Holotype, Transvaal, Lydenburg District, South African Museum).

Diagnosis. Smaller adults, length 11–13 mm. Pattern of elytral vestiture distinctive ( Figure 2 ), with the elytra covered in contrasting black and yellowish-grey pubescence. Basal half of elytron with a black linear band of pubescence along suture and a triangular patch of black pubescence completely surrounded by yellowish-grey pubescence; apical half of elytron predominantly covered in black pubescence but with a small ovate patch of yellowish-grey pubescence along the suture at apex, an angled median band of yellowish-grey pubescence which is contiguous with the patches of yellowish-grey pubescence on the basal half, and a narrow lateral band of yellowish-grey pubescence which connects the apical and median patches of yellowish-grey pubescence. The pronotal vestiture is likewise distinctive in that the median longitudinal band of black pubescence is more or less equal in width from base to apex. The shape of the patches of pubescence will readily separate individuals of this species from those of G. fasciatus , which has much more extensive areas of black pubescence on the elytra, and in which the median longitudinal band of dark pubescence on the pronotum becomes distinctly wider from base to apex ( Figure 2 ). Small adults of G. ancora are also similar but that species is generally larger in body size (length 13–18 mm) and the elytral vestiture is coarser and more irregular ( Figure 1 ).

Distribution. Mozambique, Republic of South Africa (Limpopo and Mpumalanga Provinces), Swaziland. For a list of collecting localities see Basilewsky (1977: 93).

Taxonomic Notes. This species was considered a subspecies of G. fasciatus by Burgeon (1929) and Basilewsky (1977) but the lack of any intergrade specimens between these two rather distinctive forms suggests that two separate species are indicated.

Figures

Figures 1–9. Adult habitus images of specimens of species in the ancora species group, from the TMSA collection. Specimen identifications by P. Basilewsky are given in brackets after the current valid name for the specimen figured. 1) G. ancora Dejean [G. ancora ancora Dejean], Hanover, Northern Cape Province, RSA. 2) G. distinctus Péringuey [G. fasciatus distinctus Péringuey], Shilouvane, Limpopo Province, RSA. 3) G. fasciatus Chaudoir [G. fasciatus fasciatus Chaudoir], Umfolozi, KwaZulu/Natal Province, RSA. 4) G. fritschi Chaudoir, Pietersburg, Limpopo Province, RSA. 5) G. westwoodi Brême [G. ancora aurantiacus Basilewsky], Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. 6) G. westwoodi [G. ancora egressus Péringuey], Ohrigstad, Mpumalanga Province, RSA. 7) G. westwoodi [G. ancora subegregius Basilewsky, paratype], Tuli District, Botswana. 8) G. westwoodi [G. ancora transitans Péringuey], Metsimaklaba, Botswana. 9) G. westwoodi [G. ancora westwoodi Brême], Swartruggens Marico, North West Province, RSA.