Gauropterus fulgidus (FABRICIUS 1787)

Assing, V., 2008, On the taxonomy and zoogeography of some Palaearctic Paederinae and Xantholinini (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae), Linzer biologische Beiträge 40 (2), pp. 1237-1294 : 1276

Gauropterus fulgidus (FABRICIUS 1787)

Gauropterus fulgidus pseudosanguinipes COIFFAIT 1964: 504; nov.syn.

C o m m e n t: Gauropterus fulgidus pseudosanguinipes was originally described from three males from southern Algeria ( COIFFAIT 1964) and subsequently reported also from Morocco ( COIFFAIT 1972). According to COIFFAIT (1964, 1972), the subspecies is identical to the nominal subspecies in the male genitalia, but distinguished by the rufous legs and antennae.

In a recently collected sample of G. fulgidus from Morocco, both morphs were represented, one with rufous legs, antennae, and elytra, and the other of the usual coloration, suggesting that what COIFFAIT (1964) described as G. f. pseudosanguinipes is nothing but a colour morph of G. fulgidus . Hence the subspecific status is no longer justifiable and P. f. pseudosanguinipes is placed in synonymy with G. fulgidus .