Lampyris algerica subsp. algerica, Ancey, 1870

Fanti, Fabrizio, 2024, Lampyridae: History of the type species of the genus Luciola, updated checklist of North African fireflies, and other taxonomic and faunistic notes, Baltic Journal of Coleopterology 24 (1), pp. 43-64 : 45

L. algerica algerica Ancey, 1870

Lampyris Algerica Ancey, 1870: 87 . Loc.

typ. “environs de Blidah ( Algérie)”.

= Lampyris algeica Cros, 1924: 37 incorrect subsequent spelling

= mucronata J. E. Olivier, 1884: 10 (in the key), 25–26. Loc. typ. “Environs d’Alger, Sidi-Ferruch” (coll. de Marseul, la mienne). Lectotype: “ Alger ” Coll. Olivier – MNP ( Geisthardt 1983: 28) [synonymized by Geisthardt 1983: 27].

= mutabilis J. E. Olivier, 1884 pages 31–32 and Fig. 8 ter. (partim) [synonymized by Geisthardt 1983: 27].

= var. [without name] J. E. Olivier, 1885: ix. Loc. typ. “dans le Djebel Beurda” 1 male, M. V. Mayet leg.

Distribution. Endemic of Algeria (Tell Atlas including Edough Massif). All the known localities are located in a band just 200 km wide of the “Tellatlas-Gebirges” (about 2°– 4° E) with Algiers in the center; however, it can be assumed that the distribution extends further west ( Geisthardt 1983).

Note. Type examined by Olivier (1884), but not found by Geisthardt (1983). The female of L. mutabilis was described by Olivier (1887: cxvii-cxviii): This female is very distinct from that of attenuata by the extreme reduction of its elytral stumps, by its prothorax with parallel sides instead of being rounded from the base, and by its triangular scutellar shield (while in the latter it is in the shape of a trapezoid); the habitat of the two species is also different ( Olivier 1887). The variety from Djebel-Beurda described as a variety of attenuata ( Olivier 1885) was transferred to L. mutabilis by Olivier (1887), and it mildly differs from typical individuals in its slightly larger size and its pronotum less angular and almost rounded in front ( Olivier 1885).