Graphipterus stagonopsis Renan & Assmann

Renan, Ittai, Assmann, Thorsten & Freidberg, Amnon, 2018, Taxonomic revision of the Graphipterusserrator (Forskal) group (Coleoptera, Carabidae): an increase from five to 15 valid species, ZooKeys 753, pp. 23-82 : 58-62

Graphipterus stagonopsis Renan & Assmann sp. n. Figs 18, 27b

Types.

Holotype.♂ (White label, black handwritten): <Beni Abbes/23.III.48 F. Pierre>. (red label): <Holotype> (ae). Deposited in NHMB [examined].

Paratypes.(11♂, 3♀), NHMB (Colas collection): Gardhaia (Ghardaia), Sahara, G. Mahoux, 19.5.60 (2♂); Beni Abbes, 23.3.48, F. Paiu (2♂, 1- ae). (Negre collection): Beni Abbes, Sahara argelino, J. Mateu (3♀). (Antoine collection): Beni Abes, south Algerien ( reymondi ) (♂ae). ZMUC Algerie, Beni Abbes, 11.3.1984, Tilg. 4-12.1948, Tentens-Nielsen [ G. serrator valdani Guer. P. Basilewsky 1985] ♂. NMP: Algeria, Igli, 12.IV. 1988, Igt. Kepler, 11/1988. Ex call. M. Dvorak, National Museum, Prague, Czech Republlic. MRAC: Aoulel el Arab Tidicelt Sahara Cen., J. Mateu (♂); Pozo zug (R.O.) Sa’hara espanol, J. Mateu (2♂); Oasis de la-Salah Tidikelt Sahara Cen, J. Mateu (3♂).

Diagnosis.

Large species with 16 white rounded to elongated spots on elytra, anterior and posterior pair of spots larger than others; six marginal extensions, extension I triangular, extension I and II elongated. Elytra widest at interior rear third, drop-like shape. Median lobe of aedeagus with slightly bent tip.

Comparisons.

Graphipterus stagonopsis sp. n. resembles G. reymondi from which it differs mainly by the following characters: G. stagonopsis sp. n.: mentum with two teeth; eight spots on elytra; scales of elytral disc brown; claws of hind legs and metatibial secondary spur dark. G. reymondi : mentum with three teeth; 10-12 spots on elytra; scales of elytral disc black; claws of hind legs and metatibial secondary spur brown.

Description.

BL male: 17.2-20.1 mm, average 18.8 ± 1 mm; BL female: 18.4-19.8 mm, average 18.9 ± 0.6 mm.

Head slender; HW/PW: 0.7; EYL 1.1-1.7 mm; EYL/EL: 0.16. Mentum with two teeth (Fig. 3b). Frontal ridge slightly developed. Male, apical white frons stripes wider than exposed frons (Fig. 4b).

Pronotum strongly cordiform; PL/PW: 0.66. BPW/PW: 0.64; posteromedially concave and without white margin; white lateral margin as wide as antennomere I long.

Elytra droplet-like, humeri strongly narrowed; EL: 9.1-11.1 mm, average 8.4 mm; EW: 7.5-9.0 mm, average 8.4 mm; EL/EW: 1.1-1.5. Lateral cross section convex. Dense black scales, disc not visible between them (Fig. 6a). White lateral margin nearly as half wide as antennomere I long and with six extensions; extension I triangular with rounded angels, as wide as lateral margin, posteriorly oriented; extension II small, often constricted at base, as wide as lateral margin; extension III large, elongated, posteriorly oriented. White posterior margin becomes narrower towards suture; gap at suture wider than lateral margin. Disc usually with 16 spots; anterior pair of spots elongate, as wide as extension I; posterior pair of spots rounded and larger than other ones; six spots forming arch pattern anterior and lateral to posterior rounded larger spots. Apical sinuation slightly developed to straight, apex not protuberant, broadly rounded, especially on the median side (Fig. 7c). Suture inconspicuous.

Legs long; MTIL: 6.0-7.0 mm, average 6.5 mm; El/MTIL: 1.6. Metatibial secondary spur black. MTAL: 4.7-5.3 mm, average 4.9 mm; MTAL/MTIL: 0.8. Claws of hind legs black at base.

Median lobe of aedeagus with bent tip (Fig. 9o).

Etymology.

The name is derived from ancient Greek (σταγών, óψις) and means ”drop-like” which refers to the shape of the elytra.

Habitat.

Unknown.

Co-occurring species.

Graphipterus stagonopsis lives in sympatry with G. luctuosus , G. peletieri , and G. valdanii in Ghardaia, Algeria.

Distribution.

Central and west Algeria (Fig. 18).

Conservation.

Unknown.