Lethrus (Scelolethrus) sulcatus, Kraatz, 1883

Král, David & Hillert, Oliver, 2021, Lethrus (Scelolethrus) golestanicus (Coleoptera: Geotrupidae: Lethrinae), a new species from Iran, Zootaxa 5052 (4), pp. 585-590 : 590

Identification key to males of Lethrus (Scelolethrus) sulcatus species group with conspicuously conical pleurostomal processes

1. Ventral mandibular process long (cf. Gusakov & Klimenko 2011: 6, fig. 3 and 7, fig. 5). Iran: Golestan .................................................................................. L. (S.) percutens Gusakov & Klimenko, 2011

– Ventral mandibular process short or almost absent ( Figs. 5 , 8–13 )............................................... 2

2. Profemora with distinctly prominent tooth anteroventrally (cf. Král & Olexa 1996: 63. fig. 37), in less developed males only with slight tubercle. Pronotal punctation double, consisting from coarse and very fine punctures. Inner edge of parameres broadly angulate subapically ( Fig. 15 ). Iran: Khorasan Shamali Prov........................ L. (S.) mithras Reitter, 1904

– Profemora with transversal edge anteroventrally (cf. Král & Olexa 1996: 63, fig. 35). Pronotal punctation simple and fine. Inner edge of parameres angulate or rounded subapically ( Figs. 14, 16 )................................................ 3

3. Ventral mandibular processes weak and angulate in lateral aspect, invisible in dorsal aspect ( Figs. 10, 13 ). Inner edge of parameres broadly rounded subapically ( Fig. 16 ). Turkmenistan: north-western part of Kopet Dagh Mts., approximately between the regions of Kara Kala [= Garrygala or Maktymguly] and Bakharden [= Baharly]........ L. (S.) tekkensis Král & Olexa, 1996

– Ventral mandibular processes distinct, directed obliquely anteroventrally, pointed apically in lateral aspect, clearly visible in dorsal aspect ( Figs. 4 , 8 ). Inner edge of parameres angulate subapically ( Figs. 6, 7 , 14 ). Iran, Golestan: region between Atrek and Gorgan river................................................. L. (S.) golestanicus Král & Hillert , new species

Figures

FIGURES 4–7. Holotype of Lethrus (Scelolethrus) golestanicus Král & Hillert, new species. 4, mandibles, dorsal view; 5, head, left lateral view; 6, parameres, dorsal view; 7, parameres, ventral view. Not to scale.

FIGURES 8–13. 8, 11, Lethrus (Scelolethrus) golestanicus Král & Hillert, new species; 9, 12, L. (S.) mithras Reitter, 1904, Iran (Bojnurd); 10, 13, L. (S.) tekkensis Král & Olexa, 1996 (Turkmenistan, Kara Kala [= Garrygala or Maktymguly]). 8–10, head, dorsal view; 11–13, head, left lateral view. Not to scale.

FIGURES 14–16. Lethrus (Scelolethrus) spp., parameres, dorsal view. 14, L. (S.) golestanicus Král & Hillert, new species; 15, L. (S.) mithras Reitter, 1904 (Iran, Bojnurd); 16, L. (S.) tekkensis Král & Olexa, 1996 (Turkmenistan, Kara Kala [= Garrygala or Maktymguly]). Not to scale.