Lethrus (Mesolethrus) nuratavicus Nikolajev, 1987

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 : 440

Lethrus (Mesolethrus) nuratavicus Nikolajev, 1987

( Figs. 4 , 13–14, 25–27 , 34 )

Lethrus (Furcilethrus) nuratavicus Nikolajev, 1987: 41 (original description, type locality: “ Nuratau Mountain Range , Asmansay gorge” [Jizzakh Region of Uzbekistan], Fig. 48 (parameres of holotype), fig. 49 (head)).

Lethrus (Mesolethrus) nuratavicus: Nikolajev 2003: 130 (key, characteristic, distribution: Fig. 90 Nr. 1, parameres: Fig. 91 Nr. 1); Král & Nikolajev 2006: 94 (catalogue); Bagaturov & Nikolajev 2015: 312 (distribution); Nikolajev et al. 2016: 50 (catalogue).

Type material examined. Paratypes. 2 ♂♂ 3 ♀♀: “Uzb. [ekistan, Jizzax Region ] Nuratau [ Mountain Range ] Asmansay [,] 15.v.1986, [G.] Nikolajev [leg.]”, “Paratypus Lethrus nuratavicus Nikolajev ” [printed red text on white paper] ( GNPC); 1 ♂: same data ( SKPC) .

Additional material examined. Uzbekistan. 4 ♂♂ 2 ♀♀: Uzbekistan, Jizzax Reg., 28 km SW Zaamin , Malguzar Mt. Range, 39°43’12”N 68°14’57”E, 2000 m a.s.l., 9.v.2014, S. Dyonin & I. Dyonina leg. ( MBPC); 3 ♂♂ 1 ♀: same locality and collectors, 17.iv.2021 ( ASPC) .

Diagnosis. Gena nearly rectangular: laterally widely truncate, anterolateral and posterolateral angle near right; gena 2–2.4 times as large as eye width ( Figs. 4 , 34 ). Punctation of head and pronotum comparatively coarse and larger, than in L. shakhristanicus , elytral striae thin and superficial ( Fig. 4 ). Dorsal surface of body with faint blue tinge ( Fig. 4 ), in older and abraded specimens—black. Parameres wide, near straight along the inner edge, in lateral view apically appearing acuminate ( Figs. 13–14 ). Sclerotized apex of endophallus narrow at the base, in dorsal view distinctly elongated, anteriorly rounded ( Figs. 25–27 ). Body length 14–19 mm.

Distribution. Uzbekistan. Nuratau Mountain Range and Malguzar Mountain Range in the system of Turkestan Mountain Range (see map, Fig. 44 ).

Ecology. The species inhabits steppe landscapes of foothills and mountains up to beginning of the juniper belt ( Figs. 46 ) at altitudes from about 1000 to 2000 m. Activity of imago is recorded from middle of April to late May. The species occurs sympatrically with L. shakhristanicus and L. microbuccis .

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 48. Locality of L. dyonini A. Shapovalov & Bagaturov, new species, environs of Tashsay, western foothills of Chatkal Mountain Range, Uzbekistan, photograph by S. Dyonin.

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).