Sunius amanensis, Assing, 2005

Assing, Volker, 2005, On the Turkish species of Sunius. V. New species, additional records, a new synonymy, and an updated key to species (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae, Paederinae)., Beiträge Zur Entomologie = Contributions to Entomology 55 (2), pp. 109-121 : 114-121

Sunius amanensis sp. n. (Figs. 6-13, Map 3)

Type material:

Holotype 3: Turkey (Antakya), Nur Dagl., 9 km SE Iskenderun, ca. 6 km NE Belen , N slope, snowfield edge, under stones, sifted, 1480 m, 36°31 '39"N, 36< T 5 '27"E, 4.IV.2004, leg. M. Schülke [ T04-10 ] / Holotypus 3 Sunius amanensis sp. n. det. V .

Distribution and bionomics:

The restricted distributions of the closely related species suggest that S. amanensis may be locally endemic in the southern Nur Daglari (Map 3). The two types were collected at the edge of a snowfield on a north slope with scattered pine trees (Fig. 13) by turning stones and sifting roots and litter at an altitude of approximately 1500 m, together with numerous specimens of Geostiba hamata A s s in g and G. helvetiorum P a c e.

Description:

Small species, 2.5-3.0 mm (abdomen extended). Facies and forebody as in Figs. 14-15. External appearance (coloration, shape, proportions, puncturation, microsculpture), except for the slightly shorter elytra and the slightly smaller eyes, as in S. goektepensis .

3: posterior margin of sternite VII in the middle weakly concave and with the dark pubescence directed diagonally postero-mediad (Fig. 16); sternite VIII with moderately deep posterior emargination, otherwise unmodified (Fig. 17); aedeagus very distinctive, with characteristic subapical structures, but without basal row of large sclerotised spines in internal sac (Figs. 18-20).

Etymology: The name (adj.) is derived from Hatay, the alternative name of the province where the type locality is situated, also referred to as Antakya.

Comparative notes and systematics:

Sunius hatayanus is distinguished from all other species of the genus especially by the distinctive morphology of the aedeagus. As can be inferred from the male primary and secondary sexual characters, S. hatayanus belongs to the S. tuberiventris group. It is distinguished from other Turkish representatives of this group, except S. amanensis , by the unmodified male sternite VIII. From the similar S. hypogaeus and S. renouardi from the Middle East (see notes below S. amanensis ), it is distinguished by slightly larger eyes, a less oblong head, slightly shorter elytra, the absence of a basal row of sclerotised structures in the internal sac of the aedeagus, and a different shape of the aedeagus, both in lateral and in ventral view.

16 ' 17

Figs. 14-20: Sunius hatayanus sp. n.: faciès (14); forebody (15); <? sternite VII (16); â sternite VIII (17); aedeagus in latéral and in ventral view (18-19); internai structures ofaedeagus in latéral view (20). Scale bars: 14: 1.0 mm; 15: 0.5 mm; 16-20: 0.1 mm. in dorsal view. Forebody uniformly ferrugineous. Abdominal tergum VII never with palisade fringe at posterior margin, d: sternite VII not or only weakly modified; sternite VIII in posterior median area with densely pubescent tubercle, with conspicuous process, or without such modifications. Aedeagus with very slender ventral process of characteristic shape and often with spines, but without rod, in internal sac. Southern Anatolia............................................2

16. 3: ventral process of aedeagus in ventral view apically with lateral projections (Figs. A03: 5-9). Southwestern Anatolia (Mugla; Ak Daglar) (Map 2) ................................ S. akianus A ssin g

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