Laemostenus (Antisphodrus)

Casale, A., D. W & P, Antalya, 2012, New or little known Laemostenus species from the Near and Middle East (Coleoptera, Carabidae: Sphodrini), Linzer biologische Beiträge 44 (2), pp. 1111-1127 : 1117

Laemostenus (Antisphodrus) of the L. esfandiarii species group (sensu CASALE 1988)

This very isolated group of Antisphodrus SCHAUFUSS 1865 was proposed by CASALE (1988) for the distinctive species L. (A.) esfandiarii (MORVAN 1974) from northern Iran (Elburz mountains), distinctly characterized by the peculiar combination of the following features: medium-sized (L: 12-14 mm), pigmented, black or dark brown brachypterous species, with very shiny, polished dorsal surface; head elongate, narrow, parallel-sided; eyes small, shorter than tempora; pronotum elongate-cordiform, with basal foveae and lateral furrows deeply punctate; elytra wide, ovate, very convex but with evident depression on the disc and deep, deeply punctate striae; mesosternum with reduced or absent tooth in front of mesocoxae; tarsal claws toothed in the basal half. Median lobe of aedeagus elongate and slender, slightly curved, with thickened, sub-acuminate apex.

The discovery of the new, interesting and unexpected species described here allow us to confirm the homogeneity of this previously mono-specific group, endemic so far to Northern Iran (Māzandarān province).