Atheta (Paralpinia) meghruica ASSING, 2019

Assing, Volker & Schülke, Michael, 2019, The Staphylinidae of Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh (Coleoptera), Beiträge Zur Entomologie = Contributions to Entomology 69 (1), pp. 91-173 : 155-158

Atheta (Paralpinia) meghruica ASSING spec. nov.

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( Figs 22–28 )

Type material: Holotype: “ ARMENIA [35] – 25 km SW Kapan , 39°04'01"N, 46°16'10"E, 2150 m, near stream, sifted, 14.VII.2018, V. Assing / Holotypus Atheta meghruica sp. n. det. V. Assing 2018” (cAss) . Paratypes: 1: same data, but leg. Schülke (cSch); 1: “ ARMENIA [32] – SW Kapan , Mt. Khustup, 39°07'50"N, 46°19'55"E, 2980 m, litter near spring, 12.VII.2018, V. Assing ” (cAss) .

Etymology: The specific epithet is an adjective derived from Meghru, the name of the mountain range where this species was discovered and where it may be endemic.

Description: Body length 2.2–2.6 mm; length of forebody 1.1 mm. Habitus as in Fig. 22 . Coloration: body black; legs blackish-brown to blackish, with paler tarsi; antennae black.

Head ( Fig. 23 ) weakly transverse, weakly dilated posteriad; punctation rather sparse and extremely fine; interstices with pronounced microsculpture composed of isodiametric meshes. Eyes distinctly convex, protruding from lateral contours of head, slightly shorter than distance from posterior margin of eye to posterior carina of head in dorsal view. Antenna 0.65 mm long and shaped as in Fig. 24 .

Pronotum ( Fig. 23 ) approximately 1.15 times as broad as long and 1.15 times as broad as head, broadest in anterior half; pubescence of midline directed anteriad; punctation and microsculpture similar to those of head.

Elytra ( Fig. 23 ) approximately as long as pronotum; microsculpture pronounced, composed of isodiametric meshes, these meshes larger than those on head and pronotum; punctation extremely fine, barely noticeable even at high magnification (100 x). Hind wings fully developed.

Abdomen ( Fig. 25 ) slender, distinctly narrower than elytra; punctation fine, moderately dense on tergite III, decreasing in density from tergite III to tergite VII; interstices with distinct microsculpture composed of a mix of large isodiametric and short transverse meshes, on tergites VII–VIII predominantly of isodiametric meshes; posterior margin of tergite VII with palisade fringe; posterior margin of tergite VIII without evident sexual dimorphism, posterior margin with shallow concavity in the middle.

: sternite VIII with strongly convex posterior margin; median lobe of aedeagus ( Figs 26–27 ) 0.23 mm long, ventral process of broadly triangular shape in ventral view; crista apicalis strongly projecting, but with very narrow membranous portion.

: posterior margin of sternite VIII smoothly convex, with long and moderately modified marginal setae; spermatheca shaped as in Fig. 28 .

Comparative notes: Atheta meghruica is distinguished from A. schneideri (EPPELSHEIM, 1889) , the only other representative of the subgenus Paralpinia BENICK, 1974 known from the Caucasus region and Armenia, by even smaller size, a more slender body, shorter and much finer antennae with more transverse antennomeres V–X, a less convex pronotum (cross-section), a much smaller median lobe of the aedeagus ( A. schneideri : length of median lobe nearly 0.5 mm), and a spermatheca with a shorter and less slender distal portion and with a shorter proximal portion.

Distribution and natural history: The high altitudes of the localities (2190–2980 m) and the absence of records from other regions suggest that Atheta meghruica is probably regionally endemic in the Meghru mountain range in South Armenia. The male specimens were sifted from litter and debris near a stream, the female from roots and debris near a spring. Both males are slightly teneral.

Bellatheta khustupica ASSING spec. nov.

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( Figs 1–2, 5 , 29–35 )

Type material: Holotype: “ ARMENIA [31] – SW Kapan , Mt. Khustup, 39°07'52"N, 46°19'43"E, 3060 m, soil near rocks, 12.VII.2018, V. Assing / Holotypus Bellatheta khustupica sp. n. det. V. Assing 2018” (cAss) . Paratypes:

1, 4: same data as holotype (cAss).

Etymology: The specific epithet is an adjective derived from Khustup, the name of the mountain where this species is probably endemic.

Description: Body length 1.9–2.4 mm; length of forebody 0.8–1.0 mm. Habitus as in Fig. 5 . Coloration: forebody pale-brown to brown; abdomen blackish-brown with the apex (segments VIII–X and posterior margin of segment VII) reddish-brown; legs yellow; antennae darkyellow to pale-brown with antennomeres I–II yellow.

Head ( Fig. 29 ) weakly transverse, somewhat dilated posteriad; punctation extremely fine, barely visible even at high magnification (100 x), and sparse; interstices with shallow microreticulation and glossy. Eyes very small, composed of approximately 6–8 ommatidia with pigmentation. Antenna short, approximately 0.5 mm long, and distinctly incrassate apically; antennomeres III transverse, IV–X strongly transverse, approximately three times as broad as long, and gradually increasing in width. Maxillary palpi short; palpomere III weakly oblong.

Pronotum ( Fig. 29 ) approximately 1.15 times as broad as long and 1.10–1.14 times as broad as head, broadest near anterior angles, and distinctly tapering posteriad; punctation similar to that of head; microsculpture slightly more distinct than that of head.

Elytra ( Fig. 29 ) very short, approximately 0.6 times as long as pronotum; punctation similar to that of pronotum; interstices with distinct microreticulation. Hind wings completely reduced.

Abdomen ( Fig. 30 ) broader than elytra, broadest at segment VII; punctation fine and sparse; interstices with distinct, but shallow microreticulation, glossy; posterior margin of tergite VII without palisade fringe; posterior margin of tergite VIII broadly convex.

: sternite VIII much longer than tergite VIII; median lobe of aedeagus ( Figs 31–33 ) 0.28–0.30 mm long, strongly curved in lateral view; crista apicalis very long and without distinct membranous portion.

: sternite VIII only indistinctly longer than tergite VIII; spermatheca shaped as in Figs 34–35 .

Comparative notes: The genus Bellatheta ROUBAL, 1928 is discontinuously distributed across the Palaearctic region. In the West Palaearctic region exclusive of Middle Asia, it is represented by nine species. Except for the winged and moderately widespread B. fatrica ROUBAL, 1928 (distributed in the Balkans, Italy, and Central Europe) and B. palata (BENICK, 1970) (recorded from Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Greece, and Armenia), the species are micropterous and locally endemic in mountain ranges of Spain ( B. aragonica (ASSING, 2001)) , Italy ( B. kappi ( ASSING, 2002) ; B. rosai (PACE, 1978)) , Lebanon ( B. besucheti (PACE, 1982)) , mainland Greece ( B. renominata (LIKOVSKÝ, 1984)) , and Crete ( B. albimontis ASSING, 2015 ; B. idana ASSING, 2015 ). Bellatheta khustupica is distinguished from all of them by the primary sexual characters. It is readily separated from B. palata , the only other species of the genus recorded from Armenia, by much smaller eyes, smaller body size, paler coloration, much shorter elytra, completely reduced hind wings, and the absence of a palisade fringe at the posterior margin of tergite VII alone.

Distribution and natural history: Bellatheta khustupica is probably locally endemic to the alpine regions of Mount Khustup in South Armenia and most likely the only truly locally endemic species of Staphylinidae in Armenia. The specimens were sifted from soil and the roots of Rumex alpinus at the base of large rocks on a north slope at an altitude of 3060 m. The type locality and the habitat where the type specimens were collected are illustrated in Figs 1–2 .

Calodera alticola ASSING spec. nov.

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( Figs 6 , 36–40 )

Type material: Holotype: “ ARMENIA [37] – 30 km

NW Sisian, Mt. Karkar , 39°47'05"N, 45°56'22"E, 3000 m ,

wetland, sifted, 15.VII.2018, V. Assing / Holotypus

Calodera alticola sp. n. det. V. Assing 2018” (cAss).

Etymology: The specific epithet is a noun in apposition meaning inhabitant of high altitude. It alludes to the high elevation of the type locality.

Description: Body length 2.7 mm; length of forebody 1.25 mm. Habitus as in Fig. 6 . Coloration: body black; legs blackish-brown with paler brown protibiae and tarsi; antennae blackish-brown with antennomeres I–II brown. Head ( Fig. 36 ) approximately as long as broad, of suborbicular shape; posteriorly without neck, with broad and short constriction; punctation extremely fine, barely visible even at high magnification (100 x), and moderately dense; interstices with distinct microreticulation. Eyes rather large and weakly convex, nearly as long as postocular region in dorsal view. Antenna 0.75 mm long; antennomeres III weakly oblong, IV–X approximately twice as broad as long and gradually increasing in width.

Pronotum ( Fig. 36 ) weakly transverse, approximately 1.05 times as broad as long and approximately 1.15 times as broad as head; punctation and microsculpture similar to those of head.

Elytra ( Fig. 36 ) slightly longer than pronotum; punctation extremely fine and dense; microsculpture distinct, composed of relatively large meshes. Hind wings fully developed.

Abdomen ( Fig. 37 ) narrower than elytra, broadest at segments VI–VII; tergites III–V with deep, tergite VI with slightly shallower anterior impression; punctation extremely fine and dense; interstices with pronounced microreticulation; posterior margin of tergite VII with palisade fringe.

: posterior margin of sternite VIII broadly convex; median lobe of aedeagus ( Figs 38–40 ) 0.32 mm long; apical internal structures of distinctive shape in ventral view.

: unknown.

Comparative notes: Calodera alticola is characterized particularly by the shape of the apical internal structures of the aedeagus in ventral view. In general appearance, C. alticola is similar to C. aethiops (GRAVENHORST, 1802) . It additionally differs from this species by even smaller body size, a shorter and broader posterior constriction of the head, a weakly transverse and smaller pronotum (in relation to the head and the pronotum) with finer punctation, shorter elytra, and darker legs. For illustrations of C. aethiops and other small West Palaearctic species see ASSING (1996).

Distribution and natural history: The type locality is situated in Mount Karkar to the northwest of Sisian, Armenia. The holotype was sifted from moist debris near the shore of a small lake at an altitude of 3000 m.

Tachyusa unguis ASSING spec. nov.

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( Figs 41–46 )

Type material: Holotype: “S – ARMENIA: 25 km N Kapan, nr. Norarachadzor village , “ Davidbeksoe ” water res., 13.5.2001, ca. 1400 m, leg. Shaverdo (71A) / Holotypus Tachyusa unguis sp. n. det. V. Assing 2018” ( NHMW) . Paratypes: 3, 1 [without head]: same data as holotype ( NHMW, cAss) .

Etymology: The specific epithet is a noun in apposition meaning claw. It alludes to the large claw-shaped internal structures of the aedeagus.

Description: Body length 3.0– 3.4 mm; length of forebody 1.5–1.7 mm. Coloration: head black; pronotum brown to blackish-brown, sometimes with weak bronze hue; elytra reddish-brown with the anterior and lateral portions slightly darker, with or without weak bronze hue; abdomen moderately bicoloured with segments III–V reddish to reddish-brown and the apical segments bicoloured; legs reddish-yellow; antennae dark-brown with the basal 2–3 antennomeres reddish.

Head ( Fig. 41 ) weakly transverse, with very indistinct median impression at most; punctation fine and moderately dense; interstices with very shallow, partly obsolete microreticulation. Eyes nearly as long as distance from posterior margin of eye to posterior constriction of head in dorsal view. Antenna 1.1–1.2 mm long; antennomeres II and III slender and of subequal length, IV approximately 1.5 times as long as broad, V–X of gradually decreasing length and decreasingly oblong, and X indistinctly oblong or approximately as long as broad.

Pronotum ( Fig. 41 ) indistinctly transverse and slightly broader than head; disc with or without very shallow and broad median impression or depression in posterior portion; lateral margins not sinuate, converging posteriad in straight line; punctation fine and moderately dense, usually slightly less fine than that of head; interstices without microsculpture.

Elytra ( Fig. 41 ) slightly shorter than pronotum; punctation slightly finer and less dense than that of pronotum. Hind wing fully developed. Metatarsomere I longer than II, but shorter than the combined length of II and III.

Abdomen ( Fig. 42 ) slightly narrower than elytra, broadest at segment VI, rather weakly constricted anteriorly; tergite IV (without paratergites) approximately twice as broad as long; tergites III–V with very deep anterior impressions, these impressions with coarse punctation partly separated by irregular longitudinal keels; tergite VI anteriorly with a narrow band of coarse punctation; remainder of tergal surfaces with rather sparse and fine, but distinct punctation; tergites III–V without, tergites VII–VIII with shallow microsculpture (at least posteriorly), tergite VI with or without very shallow traces of microsculpture; pubescence rather long and mostly suberect; posterior margin of tergite VII with palisade fringe; posterior margin of tergite VIII weakly concave.

: posterior margin of sternite VIII convex; median lobe of aedeagus ( Figs 43–45 ) approximately 0.4 mm long and of rather robust shape; ventral process short, in ventral view of broadly triangular shape; internal sac with a pair of large claw-shaped sclerotized structures.

: posterior margin of sternite VIII concave in the middle; spermatheca shaped as in Fig. 46 .

Comparative notes: Based on the shape of the ventral process, on the presence of claw-shaped structures in the internal sac of the aedeagus, and on the characters indicated by PAŚNIK (2006) (punctation of abdomen; pronotum of trapezoid shape), T. unguis is assigned to the T. impressa group. It is distinguished from all the species of this group by the shape of the ventral process of the aedeagus and by the larger claw-shaped internal structures of the aedeagus. It differs from geographically close representatives of the T. impressa group as follows: from T. impressa (Caucasus region) by a larger and more robust aedeagus with larger claw-shaped structures, with a longer crista apicalis not clearly separated from the aedeagal capsule, and with a shorter and basally much broader ventral process (ventral view), by a usually less distinctly impressed pronotum with finer punctation, and by slightly coarser punctation separated by more distinct carinae in the anterior impressions of tergites III–V; from T. nitella FAUVEL, 1895 (widespread in the West Palaearctic region), with which it shares a broadly triangular ventral process (ventral view) and the shape of the crista apicalis of the aedeagus (lateral view), by paler coloration (especially of the legs, basal antennomeres, and anterior segments of the abdomen), sparser and finer punctation of the pronotum, and by a distinctly larger and more robust aedeagus with much larger claw-shaped internal structures ( T. nitella : median lobe only approximately 0.3 mm long);

from T. loebli PAŚNIK, 2006 ( Turkey) by paler coloration (especially of the legs, basal antennomeres, elytra, and anterior segments of the abdomen), finer punctation of the pronotum, the absence of a distinct median impression on the pronotum, and by a more robust aedeagus with a much broader and shorter ventral process, with a crista apicalis of different shape, and by much larger clawshaped internal structures.

For illustrations of the primary sexual characters of other Tachyusa species see PAŚNIK (2006).

Comment: According to PAŚNIK (2006), T. turcica PAŚNIK, 2006 from Turkey belongs to the T. impressa group, too. However, based on personal observations, this name is most likely a junior synonym of T. impressa .

Distribution and natural history: The type locality is situated to the north of Kapan. The specimens were collected on the bank of Khashuni river at an altitude of about 1400 m.

3.6.6 Oxytelinae (by MICHAEL SCHÜLKE)

Figures

Figs 7–23:Omalium kociani (7–10), Proteinus baculatus (11–14), Bryaxis armeniacus (15, 17), B. meghruicus (16, 18), Aleochara fugax (19–21), and Atheta meghruica (22–23): (median lobe of) aedeagus in lateral and in ventral view (7–8, 13–16); female accessory sclerites (9); spermatheca (10, 21); habitus (11, 19, 22); thorax in ventral view (12); male antennomeres I–III (17–18); posterior margin of female sternite VIII (20); forebody (23). Scale bars: 11, 19, 22: 1.0 mm; 12, 23: 0.5 mm; 7–10, 13–16, 20–21: 0.1 mm; 17–18: without scale.

Figs 24–40:Atheta meghruica(24–28), Bellatheta khustupica (29–35), andCalodera alticola (36–40): head (24); abdomen (25, 30, 37); median lobe of aedeagus in lateral and in ventral view (26–27, 31–33, 38–39); spermatheca (28, 34–35); forebody (29, 36); apical portion of median lobe of aedeagus in ventral view (40). Scale bars: 25, 36–37: 0.5 mm; 24, 29–30: 0.2 mm; 26–28, 31–35, 38–40: 0.1 mm.

Figs 1–6: Type locality ofBellatheta khustupica in the peak region of Mount Khustup (1); microhabitat whereB. khustupica was

Figs 41–56: Tachyusa unguis (41–46), Anotylus hamatoides (47–52), Platystethus cephalotes (53–54), and P. laevis (55–56): forebody (41); abdomen (42); (median lobe of) aedeagus in lateral and in ventral view (43–44, 51–52); apex of ventral process of aedeagus in ventral view (45); spermatheca (46); male sternite VII (47); posterior process of male sternite VII (48); male sternite VIII (49, 53, 55); posterior process of male sternite VIII (50); male tergite X (54, 56). Scale bars: 41–42: 0.5 mm; 43–56: 0.1 mm.