Sphaerotachys conspicuus (Schaum, 1863)

Felix, Ron F. F. L., Farkač, Jan & Suleiman, Ahmed Saeed, 2012, Annotated checklist of the Carabidae (Coleoptera) of the Socotra Archipelago, Insect biodiversity of the Socotra Archipelago. (Acta Entomologica Musei Nationalis Pragae 52), pp. 75-106 : 97-98

Sphaerotachys conspicuus (Schaum, 1863)

Material examined (4 spec.). YEMEN: SOCOTRA ISLAND: Wadi Esgego , Dixam plateau, 12°28′09″N, 54°00′36″E, 300 m a.s.l., 2.–3.xii.2003, 2 spec., lgt. P. Kabátek, det. T. Kopecký ( JFCP) ; Zemhon area , 12°20.58′N, 54°08.39′E, 270– 250m a.s.l., at light, 16.–17.vi.2010, 1 spec., lgt. V.Hula, det. R.F.F.L.Felix ( NMPC) ; Aloove area , Hassan village environment, 12°31.2′N, 54°07.4′E, 221 m a.s.l., 10.xi.2010, 1 spec., lgt. P. Hlaváč, det. R.F.F.L. Felix ( NMPC) .

Diagnosis. Body length 3.3–3.6 mm. Pale reddish-brown, sides of elytra paler than the disc, appendages testaceous. Pronotum and elytra without microsculpture. Elytra with only three visible striae: first impressed throughout its length; second impressed, reaching neither base nor apex; third faintly impressed between two setiferous punctures on third interval. Striae I and II faintly punctured in basal half.

Comments on classification. BRUNEAU DE MIRÉ (1963) synonymized Tachyphanes sudanensis Schatzmayr & Koch 1934 with T. conspicuus Schaum 1863 . SCIAKY & VIGNA TAGLIANTI (2003) treated Sphaerotachys Müller, 1926 , Tachyphanes Jeannel, 1946 and Nototachys Alluaud, 1930, as a single genus Sphaerotachys , based on the constant position and structure of the eighth stria, although they are heterogeneous in other characteristics. Further study is needed and both Tachyphanes and Nototachys might become valid subgenera.

Distribution. Sphaerotachys conspicuus is a species with a vast distribution in Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. First record from Socotra Island.