Sinolethrus Bagaturov & Hillert, 2023

Bagaturov, Mikhail F. & Hillert, Oliver, 2023, Sinolethrus, a new subgenus of the genus Lethrus Scopoli, 1777 from China (Coleoptera: Geotrupidae: Lethrinae) and new synonymy of the subgenus Paralethrus Nikolajev, 2003, Zootaxa 5258 (3), pp. 301-316 : 303

Sinolethrus Bagaturov & Hillert , new subgenus

https://zoobank.org/ urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:C5B273E1-22A9-43AA-8796-308EB4AEA670

Type species: Lethrus serpentifer Semenov & Medvedev, 1935 (by present designation).

Diagnosis. The new subgenus differs from the closely related subgenus Heteroplistodus by the characteristics of the mandibular surface. The right mandible without any apophysis or carina on surface. Further, the mandibular appendix on left mandible is subparallel with mandibular outline. Other difference can find on the characteristic of apical spur of front tibia ( Fig. 55 ) and the shape of parameres in dorsal and lateral view ( Figs. 3–4 ).

Remarks. Monotypical subgenus, only represented so far by the only species - Lethrus serpentifer from China. It is possible that the area of its distribution is fragmented, the populations are very small, and the species is probably quite rare. More material and studies of the distribution of this species are needed to provide information for its conservation. The poorly studied nature of many areas of western China suggest that it is possible that related species belonging to this subgenus may be discovered in that territory in the future.

Etymology. The name of the new subgenus is composed from words “ Sino ” ( China) and “ Lethrus ”.

Figures

FIGURES 55–58. Labels, apical spurs and head of males of Lethrus species, schematically. 55 apical spur of front tibia of L. (Sinolethrus) serpentifer Semenov & Medvedev, 1935; 56 apical spur of front tibia of L. (Ceratodirus) karelini Gebler, 1845; 57 label of syntype of L. serpentifer; 58 label of lectotype of L. mediocris.

FIGURES 1–4. Aedeagus, schematically. 1–2 L. (Ceratodirus) dostojewskii Semenov, 1899 (1 lateral view, 2 dorsal view); 3–4 L. (Sinolethrus) serpentifer Semenov & Medvedev, 1935 (3 lateral view, 4 dorsal view).