Aleochara (Xenochara) grandeguttata, Assing, 2009

Assing, V., 2009, On the taxonomy and zoogeography of some Palaearctic Aleochara species of the subgenera Xenochara M & R and Rheochara M & R (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Aleocharinae), Beiträge Zur Entomologie = Contributions to Entomology 59 (1), pp. 33-101 : 68-69

Aleochara (Xenochara) grandeguttata nov. sp. ( Figs 129-134, Map 4)

Type material:

Holotype ♂: "TR - Burdur, 1020 m, 11, NW Çaydir, deciduous wood in arable land, 37°10'47N, 29°38'43E, 9.VII.2002, V. Assing / Holotypus ♂ Aleochara grandeguttata sp. n., det. V. Assing 2009" (cAss) . Paratypes: 1 ♂: "TR - Gümüşhane, ca. 50 km SW Trabzon, 2500 m, E Zigana Geç. , ca. 40°37'N, 39°26'E, 11.VI.1998, Solodovnikov" (cAss) ; 2 ♂♂, 5 ♀♀: "TR - [26a] - Sinop, 30 km NNE Boyabat, Dıranaz geç., 41°38'06"N, 34°52'29"E, 1410 m, 5.IV.2009, V. Assing " (cAss) ; 1 ♂, same data, but leg. Wunderle (cWun) ; 6 ♂♂, 3 ♀♀, 4 exs.: " Turkey, Cildir Göl , 1800 m, VI.1977, leg. F. Schubert " ( NHMW, cAss) ; 2 ♂♂: " Akkus, Anat. bor., leg. F. Schubert / 6/72 [overleaf]" ( NHMW, cAss) ; 1 ♀: " Petrowitz-Ressl, Reise nach Kleinasien 1960 / Umg. Akschehir , 16.5.1960 / Sultan-Dagh, in Detritus u. unter Steinen" ( NHMW) ; 1 ♂: same data, but " 6.5.1960, im Detritus" ( NHMW) ; 1 ♂: same data, but " 19.5.1960, im Detritus u. Rindermist" ( NHMW) ; 1 ♂: same data, but " 4.5.1960, im Detritus" (cAss) ; 1 ♀: "TR [23] - Samsun, 21 km NNE Havza , 950 m, 41°08'47"N, 35°45'15"E, Quercus-Carpinus for., 19.VII.2008, Schülke" (cSch) ; 1 ♀: " Türkei - 1989, leg. Schönmann et Schillhammer / Prov. Erzurum, 9.6., Umg. Oltu" ( NHMW) ; 2 ♀♀: " Türkei - 1987, leg. Schönmann et Schillhammer / Prov. 60 e Tatvan , 8.6.1987 " ( NHMW) ; 1 ex.: " Palandöken Dag , 2300 m, Erzurum / 21.6.1973, leg. F. Schubert " ( NHMW) ; 1 ex.: " Tatvan, Asm. or., 1900 m, 20.5.69, leg. F. Schubert " ( NHMW) ; 5 exs.: " Tatvan, 1800 m, Asm. , leg. F. Schubert / 6/71 [overleaf]" ( NHMW, cAss) ; 1 ex.: " ♂ / Abkkari [Hakkâri]- Yüksekova , 23.5.1966 / Türkei-Exped. 1966, Naturhist. Mus. Wien" ( NHMW) ; 1 ♂: " Borcka , Asm. NO., 1500 m, leg. F. Schubert / 6/72 [overleaf]" ( NHMW) ; 1 ♂, 2 exs.: " Ungarn, Balaton bei Szigliget , 22.4.1992, Peschel" (cSch, cAss) ; 1 ♂: " Armenia, Covagjuch , 2.6.88, lgt. S. Bečvář " (cSch) .

Comment:

It appears unlikely that A. apicalis MÉNÉTRIÉS, 1832 refers to this species. According to the original description of A. apicalis , the reddish elytral spot is situated "à l'extrémité, vers l'angle intérieur" (MÉNÉTRIÉS 1832), which fits better to A. laevigata than to A. grandeguttata .

The fact that A. laevigata , too, is present in Turkey and was occasionally found in the same localities as A. grandeguttata suggests that the observed differences are an expression of inter- rather intraspecific (clinal) variation.

Description:

Body length: 3.5-5.5 mm. External characters as in A. laevigata , but distinguished as follows:

Reddish spot on elytra larger, usually occupying most of the posterior surface of the elytra and leaving only the lateral margins blackish.

♂: median lobe of aedeagus, 0.70-0.88 mm long, strongly arched, almost angular in lateral view, at base of ventral process with more pronounced and more strongly sclerotised (darker) carinae, apex of ventral process more slender and of different shape; crista proximalis larger; apical sclerotised internal structures differently shaped, more slender, and longer ( Figs 129-132).

♀: spermatheca with proximal portion of capsule longer and proximally without distinct toothlike projection; apical cuticular intrusion longer ( Figs 133-134).

Etymology:

The name (Latin, adjective: large-spotted) refers to the only external character distinguishing this species from A. laevigata , the large reddish spots on the elytra.

Distribution and bionomics:

The type specimens were collected in various parts (east, west, north, and south) of Turkey and Armenia ( Map 4) at lower and at higher elevations. According to their labels, three of the paratypes were collected in Hungary. However, in view of the fact that this record would be at a considerable distance from other confirmed localities of A. grandeguttata , the presence of the species in Hungary requires confirmation; the possibility that these specimens may have been mislabelled cannot be ruled out completely. There is little doubt that the species is more widespread than presently known. Some of the specimens were sifted from forest litter, but these records are probably accidental. Like other species of the A. laevigata group, A. grandeguttata is most likely coprophilous.