Carabus (Lipaster) stjernvalli bogatshevi Zamotajlov, 1989

Fominykh, Dmitriy D., Zamotajlov, Alexandr S., Khomitskiy, Eugeniy E. & Titarenko, Andrey Yu., 2020, Contribution to the knowledge of Carabus (Lipaster) stjernvalli Mannerheim, 1830 in the Caucasus, with description of two new subspecies (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Carabini), Zootaxa 4729 (3), pp. 301-328 : 309

5. Carabus (Lipaster) stjernvalli bogatshevi Zamotajlov, 1989 , stat. resurr.

( Figs. 1 , 15 )

Material examined. Holotype, ♂, labelled “ Transcaucasus , mt. Tshareli (= Chareli) near Borzhomi, 2100 m, 30 VII 1929, A. Bogačev leg.” ( ZISP) . Paratypes, 2♂♂, labelled same as holotype ( ZISP, CZAM) .

Remarks. Described from 10 male and 17 female specimens, collected by A.V. Bogačev in 1929, and later synonymized with C. stjernvalli tabackuriensis , known from the close locality ( Fig. 1 , red rhombus). Due to the courtesy of Dr. B. Kataev (ZISP), we had the opportunity to reexamine and measure several specimens of the type series, including the holotype, and found sufficient differences of these individuals from C. stjernvalli tabackuriensis ( Fig. 116 ), so we resurrect here the subspecific status of C. stjernvalli bogatshevi .

The range of this form is known to occupy a small territory located west-southwards of C. stjernvalli tabackuriensis ’ range, with both subspecies distributed on neighbouring mountains with no visible substantial spatial barriers. This unexpected fact of speciation probably reflects the peripheral position of C. stjernvalli bogatshevi ’ geographic range with respect to the large range of C. stjernvalli tabackuriensis ’, occupying the vast territory of the Lesser Caucasus, similar in this respect to the small “marginal” ranges observed in both C. stjernvalli paravanicus subsp. nov. (southernmost extremity of the species’ range in Georgia) and C. stjernvalli kartalinicus subsp. nov. (northern-easternmost extremity of the species’ range in Georgia), which also inhabits the Trialeti Mountain Range and its nearest surroundings in the Lesser Caucasus (see Discussion section).

C. stjernvalli bogatshevi differs from C. stjernvalli tabackuriensis in generally somewhat more robust body, more transverse pronotum with less rounded sides and broader explanate margin distinctly widened basally; frons with less prominent, often somewhat smoothed sculpture; elytra less ovate and more parallel-sided. It is distinguishable from another closely distributed subspecies, C. stjernvalli paravanicus subsp. nov., in many respects, first of all, in the more transverse pronotum with more emarginate apex and hind angles stronger protruded backwards.

Figures

FIGURE 1. Collecting sites of Carabus (Lipaster) stjernvalli Mannerheim in the South Caucasus: red square—C. stjernvalli ssp., Gorelovka env.; green square—C. stjernvalli paravanicus subsp. nov.; pink rhombs—C. stjernvalli tabackuriensis Novotný & Vořišek; red rhombus—C. stjernvalli tabackuriensis Novotný & Vořišek, type locality; red triangles—C. stjernvalli kartalinicus subsp. nov.; blue circle—C. stjernvalli bogatshevi Zamotajlov, type locality; violet empty squares—C. stjernvalli stjernvalli Mannerheim; red crosses—C. stjernvalli gvalijai Retezár.

FIGURE 116. Distribution of morphometric characters in some Carabus (Lipaster) stjernvalli Mannerheim subspecies constructed using discriminant analysis based on 8 parameters (see text for measurements details): green squares—C. stjernvalli paravanicus subsp. nov.; pink rhombs—C. stjernvalli tabackuriensis Novotný & Vořišek; red triangles—C. stjernvalli kartalinicus subsp. nov.; blue circles—C. stjernvalli bogatshevi Zamotajlov.

FIGURES 7–15. Dorsal habitus of Carabus (Lipaster) stjernvalli Mannerheim: 7–10—C. stjernvalli tabackuriensis Novotný & Vořišek, Tsalka distr., 1700 m; 11–14—idem, Tukhmatash Pass env., 2100 m; 15—C. stjernvalli bogatshevi Zamotajlov, holotype, Chareli Mt., 2100 m. Scale bar 10.0 mm.