Graphipterus ancora Dejean, 1831

Mawdsley, Jonathan R., 2012, A taxonomic review of the ancora species group of Graphipterus Latreille (Coleoptera: Carabidae), Insecta Mundi 2012 (228), pp. 1-11 : 3-4

Graphipterus ancora Dejean

Figure 1

Graphipterus ancora Dejean (1831: 460) (Holotype, Cap de Bonne-Espérance, Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, Paris).

Graphipterus giganteus Chaudoir (1870: 323) (Holotype, Bords du lac N’Gami, Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, Paris).

Graphipterus ancora subgiganteus Basilewsky (1977: 67 , 71) (Holotype, Cape Province, Vryburg, Musee Royale de l’Afrique Centrale)

Diagnosis. Large adults, length 13–18 mm. Pattern of elytral vestiture distinctive, with a narrow dark band of pubescence along the suture and extensive areas of yellowish-grey to orange pubescence which surround an oval patch of dark pubescence on the basal half of the elytra ( Figure 1 ). The triangular patch of lighter pubescence along the suture at the very apex of the elytra is also diagnostic of many specimens from RSA (specimens from Botswana and Namibia often lack the patches of dark pubescence on the apical half of the elytra). Adults can be separated from G. westwoodi by the differences in elytral pubescence patterns (compare Figure 1 with Figures 5–9 ) and by the somewhat coarser elytral vestiture. Adults can also be separated from G. distinctus ( Figure 2 ) by the much larger body size and by the coarser elytral vestiture.

Distribution. Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, Republic of South Africa (Eastern Cape, Free State, Northern Cape, North West Provinces). For a list of collecting localities see Basilewsky (1977: 71–72).

Taxonomic Notes. I tentatively include G. giganteus and G. ancora subgiganteus with this species, based on the overall similarity in elytral vestiture among the three forms, especially the similar large oval patch of dark pubescence on the base of the elytra (see Basilewsky 1977: 70). The few specimens known of G. giganteus and G. ancora subgiganteus have much more extensive areas of pale pubescence on the apical half of the elytra than the nominate form. It is possible that these forms will ultimately be found to represent one or more separate species. Further material is needed to resolve the status of these two forms, which are known collectively from a total of nine specimens ( Basilewsky 1977: 71).

Figures

Figures 1–9. Adult habitus images of specimens of species in the ancora species group, from the TMSA collection. Specimen identifications by P. Basilewsky are given in brackets after the current valid name for the specimen figured. 1) G. ancora Dejean [G. ancora ancora Dejean], Hanover, Northern Cape Province, RSA. 2) G. distinctus Péringuey [G. fasciatus distinctus Péringuey], Shilouvane, Limpopo Province, RSA. 3) G. fasciatus Chaudoir [G. fasciatus fasciatus Chaudoir], Umfolozi, KwaZulu/Natal Province, RSA. 4) G. fritschi Chaudoir, Pietersburg, Limpopo Province, RSA. 5) G. westwoodi Brême [G. ancora aurantiacus Basilewsky], Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. 6) G. westwoodi [G. ancora egressus Péringuey], Ohrigstad, Mpumalanga Province, RSA. 7) G. westwoodi [G. ancora subegregius Basilewsky, paratype], Tuli District, Botswana. 8) G. westwoodi [G. ancora transitans Péringuey], Metsimaklaba, Botswana. 9) G. westwoodi [G. ancora westwoodi Brême], Swartruggens Marico, North West Province, RSA.