Lethrus (Lethrus) halkidikiensis, Král & Hillert, 2013

Král, David & Hillert, Oliver, 2013, Three new Lethrus species close to L. raymondi (Coleoptera: Geotrupidae) from the Balkan Peninsula, Acta Entomologica Musei Nationalis Pragae 53 (1), pp. 219-244 : 222-227

Lethrus (Lethrus) halkidikiensis sp. nov.

( Figs 1–3 , 13–15 , 25–27 , 39 , 43 , 47 )

Type locality. Greece, Thessaloníki distr., Tagarádes env., 66 m [a. s. l.], 40°27.798 ′ N 023°02.198 ′ E ( Fig. 47 ).

Type material (499 specimens). GREECE: CENTRAL MACEDONIA PROVINCE: HOLOTYPE (♂) and ALLOTYPE (♀) ( DKCP), ‘GR, Thessaloníki distr. , 14.iv.2003 / TAGARADES env., 66m / 40°27.798N 023°02.198E / [GPS] David Král lgt.[p]’. PARATYPES: 33 ♂♂ 29 ♀♀ ( DKCP), same data; 11 ♂♂ 8 ♀♀ ( SJCP), same data but ‘ Radek Dunda lgt. [p]’; 26 ♂♂ 20 ♀♀ ( JSCP), same data but ‘ Jan Schneider lgt. [p]’; 21 ♂♂ 18 ♀♀ ( OHCB), ‘ Greece, (C. Macedonia), 66m, Thessaloniki env., Tagarades env., N 40°27´79,8´´/E 023°02´19,8´´ [GPS], 14.IV.2003, leg. O. Hillert [p]’, 1 ♂ 1 ♀ ( ARCL), 1 ♂ 1 ♀ ( DACB), 1 ♂ 1 ♀ ( DEIC), 1 ♂ 1 ♀ ( ERCS), 1 ♂ 1 ♀ ( HKCS), 1 ♂ 1 ♀ ( MHCM), 1 ♂ 1 ♀ ( NNML), 1 ♂ 1 ♀ ( RPCM), 1 ♂ 1 ♀ ( SMNS), 1 ♂ 1 ♀ ( SMTD), 1 ♂ 1 ♀ ( USCK), 1 ♂ 1 ♀ ( ZMHB), 1 ♂ 1 ♀ ( ZSMC), all same data ; 11 ♂♂ 12 ♀♀ ( DKCP), ‘GR, Thessaloníki distr. , 12.IV.2006 / TAGARADES env., 177m / N40°28’04’’E 023°00’51’’ / [GPS], David Král lgt. [p]’; 8 ♂♂ 3 ♀♀ ( RCCP), same data but ‘ Radek Červenka lgt. [p]’; 3 ♂♂ 2 ♀♀ ( SJCP), same dat but ‘ Radek Dunda lgt. [p]’; 15 ♂♂ 16 ♀♀ ( JSCP), same data but ‘ Jan Schneider lgt. [p]’; 12 ♂♂ 10 ♀♀ ( OHCB), same data but ‘ Oliver Hillert lgt. [p]’, 1 ♂ 1 ♀ ( GNCA), 1 ♂ 1 ♀ ( JSCB), 1 ♂ 1 ♀ ( RPCM), 1 ♂ 1 ♀ ( SZCM), 1 ♂ 1 ♀ ( TBCP), 1♂ 1♀ ( VMCP),all same data ; 17♂♂ 11♀♀ ( NMPC), ‘GREECE – THESSALONIKI / ca. 3 km S TAGARADES / 40°28.1’N, 23°00.8’E; ca. 170 m / ( Olive orchard; field) / Jiří Hájek leg. 27.IV.2007 [p]’; 16♂♂ 15♀♀ ( TRCP), same data but ‘ Tomáš Růžička lgt. [p]’; 31♂♂ 36♀♀ ( JSCP), same data but ‘ Jan Schneider lgt. [p]’; 13♂♂ 11♀♀ ( RCCP), ‘GR bor. MACEDONIA / THESSALONIKI distr. / ca. 3 km S Tagarades / 40°28.1’N, 23°00.8’E; ca. 170 m / (olive orchard; field / R. Červenka lgt. 27.IV.2007 [p]’; 34♂♂ 17♀♀ ( OHCB), ‘ Greece, (C. Macedonia), 66m / Thessaloniki env., TAGARADES env. / N 40°27´79,8´´/E 023°02´19,8´´ / [GPS], 09.IV.2011, lgt. O. Hillert [p]’.

Additional material examined (133 specimens). GREECE: CENTRAL MACEDONIA PROVINCE: 1♂ ( ZFMK), Saloniki , 20.iv.1968, H. Roer leg. ; 1 ♂ ( RPCM), about 8 km N of Poligiros , 5.v.1983, M. Berra leg. ; 1 ♀ ( PDCO), Kassandra, Griorigi ( Kriopigi ), 29.iv.–11.v.1986, Köstlin leg. ; 3 ♂♂ 6 ♀♀ ( MECW), 1 ♀ ( ZSMC), Gerakini env., 30.v.1987, Egger leg. ; 2 ♂♂ 2 ♀♀ ( LSCN), Kassandra, Polychronon , 19.iii.1989, V. Assing leg. ; 2 ♂♂ 2 ♀♀ ( SMNG), W Kassandra, Kalandra , 28.v.1999, Franke leg. ; 1 ♂ ( RECF), Kassandra mer., 22.ix.2001, dead spec.; 7 ♂♂ 8 ♀♀ ( DKCP), Kassandra, Kassandría env., 40°02′26″N 023°26′03 ″E, 99 m, 23.iv.2005, David Král leg. ; 13 ♂♂ 8 ♀♀ ( JSCP), same data but Jan Schneider leg. ; 5♂♂ 2♀♀ ( OHCB), same data but Oliver Hillert leg. ; 2♂♂ 1♀ ( DKCP), Metamórfosi , 40°13.83′N 23°36.46′E, 22.iv.2009, D. Král, D. Drožová, H. Podskalská, P.Šípek & A.Venderová leg. ; 14 spec. ( IBCF), Nea Gonia – Nea Silata , 40°20′N 23°34′E, ca. 70 m, 2.v.2009, Ivo Boščík leg. ; 22 spec. ( LBCB), same data but Lukáš Bureš leg. ; 9 spec. ( PPCB), same data but Pavel Průdek leg. ; 17 spec. ( PVCP), same data but Petr Včelička leg. ; 2 ♂♂ ( ZFMK), Salonik ; 1 ♂ ( DKCP), Saloniki , ex coll. Dr. Z. Veselý.

Description of holotype. Maximally developed (hyperthelic) male with well developed ventral mandibular processes. Total body length 29 mm. Oblong, strongly convex; dorsal surface black, except moderately shiny pronotum almost alutaceous; ventral surface black with weak blue tinge, moderately shiny, claws black-brown; setation black.

Head ( Figs 1 , 13 , 25 , 39 ). Labrum bilobed, asymmetrical, right lobe remarkably more developed; surface rugosely and coarsely, shallowly and sparsely punctate, each puncture bearing short recumbent macroseta; anterior margin with dense row of long macrosetae. Clypeus transverse, trapezoidal with anterior angles round. Frontal impressions vague, frontal tubercles indistinct. Frontoclypeal suture present only laterally; keels separating eye canthus from frons only slightly developed but distinct, slightly divergent posteriad. Eye canthus exceeding eyes, projecting anterolaterad, almost rectangular, lateral margins divergent posteriad, anterolateral angle round, oblique keel above eyes absent. Pleurostomal process evenly arcuate, hardly exceeding ventrolateral mandibular outline. Punctation of frons double, consisting of coarse, transversally rugose, regularly and densely distributed punctures, intermixed with fine, irregularly distributed ones; coarse punctures separated by approximately less than their diameter, punctation becoming distinctly sparser posteriad and on occiput; clypeus and eye canthus distinctly rugose.

Mandibles symmetrical, external outline almost semicircular, pointed subapically in dorsal aspect ( Figs 25 , 39 ) with maximum width approximately in middle of mandibular length.

Ventral mandibular processes ( Figs 1 , 13 , 39 ) symmetrical, distinctly longer than horizontal length of mandibles; base thickened, not exceeding lateral mandibular outline in dorsal aspect, with approximately straight external outline in basal half in frontal aspect; longitudinal keel on base laterally present, in dorsal aspect straight and distinctly parallel to lateral mandibular outline, not so broad as maximum width of mandibular outline basally; in lateral aspect distinctly parallel to lateral mandibular outline; posterior subbasal tooth absent (visible in lateral aspect); inferiobasal tooth present, angulate in frontal aspect; both processes bent inward approximately at middle of mandibular length in frontal view; anterior subapical tooth present, weakly visible in lateral aspect, distinctly extended in frontal aspect; apical emargination remarkably deep; apical tooth sharp, strongly extended apically.

Pronotum transverse, distinctly broader than base of elytra, broadest just behind middle; margin entirely bordered, slightly crenulate on anterior parts. Anterior angles not projecting anterolaterad, with evenly arcuate outline; lateral margin approximately straight to round posterior angle; basal margin straight. Punctation of dorsal surface simple, consisting of deep, sparsely and irregularly distributed punctures; punctures separated by approximately two to four times their diameters discally, surface near lateral margins considerably shagreened and alutaceous.

Scutellar shield widely triangular, finely shagreened.

Elytra almost semicircular, apices not prominent, each apex forming independent arc. Epipleuron strongly narrowed apicad, epipleural keel not reaching elytron apex. Whole surface alutaceous, finely transversally rugose; striae not indicated, entirely vanishing in rugosities.

Legs. Profemur not armed, protibia with eight gradually diminishing external denticles proximally, and with row of tubercles on ventromedial edge.

Aedeagus of typical shape of species closely related to L. raymondi (see Figs 37–38 ).

Variability in males. Body length 21–30 mm. Mandibular processes in medium developed ( Figs 2 , 14 , 26 ) and underdeveloped (hypothelic) males ( Figs 3 , 15 , 27 ) short, more or less straight with only slightly indicated teeth, or entirely without them, simply round to almost acute apically.

Females (body length 20–29 mm, allotype 28 mm) differ from males as follows: external outline of mandibles almost straight, in apical quarter round in dorsal aspect; ventral mandibular process absent; protibia broader, row of tubercles on ventromedial edge less pronounced.

Differential diagnosis. For differential diagnosis see the character matrix ( Table 1 ).

Etymology. Derived from the area of origin the new species, the Halkidiki (Χαλκιδική) [= Chalkidiki or Khalkidiki] Peninsula.

Collecting circumstances. The type series was collected on intensively grazed pasture on moderately steep slopes consisting of loess soil ( Fig. 47 ).

Distribution. Northern Greece: Halkidiki Peninsula ( Fig. 43 ).

Figures

Figs 1–12. Head, frontal aspect.Maximally developed males:1 – Lethrus (Lethrus) halkidikensis sp. nov. (holotype); 4 – L. (L.) perun sp. nov. (holotype); 7 – L. (L.) raymondi Reitter, 1890 (Greece: Néa Filadélfia – OHCB); 10 – L. (L.) strymonensis sp. nov.(holotype). Medium developed males: 2 – Lethrus (L.) halkidikensis sp. nov.(paratype, Greece: Tagarádes – OHCB); 5 – L.(L.) perun sp. nov.(paratype, Bulgaria:Khotovo – OHCB); 8 – L. (L.) raymondi (Greece: Néa Filadélfia – OHCB); 11 – L.(L.) strymonensis sp.nov.(paratype,Greece:Séres – OHCB).Underdeveloped males: 3 – Lethrus (L.) halkidikensis sp. nov. (paratype, Greece: Tagarádes – OHCB); 6 – L. (L.) perun sp. nov. (paratype, Bulgaria: Khotovo – OHCB); 9 – L. (L.) raymondi (Greece: Néa Filadélfia – OHCB); 12 – L. (L.) strymonensis sp. nov. (paratype, Greece: Séres – OHCB). Lettering: b – subapical tooth of ventral mandibular process, c – apical tooth of ventral mandibular process, d – inferiobasal tooth of ventral mandibular process, e – apical emargination of ventral mandibular process. Schematically, not to scale.

Figs 13–24. Head, lateral aspect. Maximally developed males: 13 – Lethrus (Lethrus) halkidikensis sp. nov. (holotype); 16 – L. (L.) perun sp. nov. (holotype); 19 – L. (L.) raymondi Reitter, 1890 (Greece: Néa Filadélfia – OHCB); 22 – L. (L.) strymonensis sp. nov. (holotype). Medium developed males: 14 – Lethrus (L.) halkidikensis sp. nov. (paratype, Greece: Tagarádes – OHCB); 17 – L. (L.) perun sp. nov. (paratype, Bulgaria: Khotovo – OHCB); 20 – L. (L.) raymondi (Greece:Néa Filadélfia – OHCB); 23 – L.(L.) strymonensis sp.nov. (paratype, Greece: Séres – OHCB). Underdeveloped males: 15 – Lethrus (L.) halkidikensis sp. nov. (paratype, Greece: Tagarádes – OHCB); 18 – L. (L.) perun sp. nov. (paratype, Bulgaria: Khotovo – OHCB); 21 – L. (L.) raymondi (Greece: Néa Filadélfia – OHCB); 24 – L. (L.) strymonensis sp. nov. (paratype, Greece: Séres – OHCB). Lettering: a – lateral longitudinal keel on base of ventral mandibular process, b – subapical tooth of ventral mandibular process, c – apical tooth of ventral mandibular process. Schematically, not to scale.

Figs 25–36. Head, dorsal aspect. Maximally developed males: 25 – Lethrus (Lethrus) halkidikensis sp. nov. (holotype); 28 – L. (L.) perun sp. nov. (holotype); 31 – L. (L.) raymondi Reitter, 1890 (Greece: Néa Filadélfia – OHCB); 34 – L. (L.) strymonensis sp. nov. (holotype). Medium developed males: 26 – Lethrus (L.) halkidikensis sp. nov. (paratype, Greece: Tagarádes – OHCB); 29 – L. (L.) perun sp. nov. (paratype, Bulgaria: Khotovo – OHCB); 32 – L. (L.) raymondi (Greece: Néa Filadélfia – OHCB); 35 – L. (L.) strymonensis sp. nov. (paratype, Greece: Séres – OHCB). Underdeveloped males: 27 – Lethrus (L.) halkidikensis sp. nov. (paratype, Greece: Tagarádes – OHCB); 30 – L. (L.) perun sp. nov. (paratype, Bulgaria: Khotovo – OHCB); 33 – L. (L.) raymondi (Greece: Néa Filadélfia – OHCB); 36 – L. (L.) strymonensis sp. nov. (paratype, Greece: Séres – OHCB). Lettering: a – lateral longitudinal keel on base of ventral mandibular process. Schematically, not to scale.

Figs 39–42. Habitus in frontolateral aspect. 39 – Lethrus (Lethrus) halkidikiensis sp. nov. (holotype), 40 – L. (L.) perun sp. nov.(holotype), 41 – L. (L.) raymondi Reitter, 1890 (Greece:Néa Filadélfia – OHCB, body length: 28 mm), 42 – L. (L.) strymonensis sp. nov. (holotype).

Fig. 43. Sketch map of the Khalkidiki Peninsula (Greece) with marked distribution of Lethrus (L.) halkidikiensis sp. nov., empty dot represents the type locality.

Fig. 47. Type locality of Lethrus (L.) halkidikiensis sp. nov. (Greece: Tagarádes, April 2003; photo David Král).

Figs 37–38.Lethrus (Lethrus) raymondi Reitter, 1890 (Greece:Néa Filadélfia – OHCB).37 – aedeagus in dorsal aspect; 38 – the same, but in lateral aspect. Schematically, not to scale.