Harpalus (s.str.) sulphuripes ssp. creticus MAŘAN 1934

Wrase, DW, 2009, New or interesting records of Carabid beetles from Europe, Madeira, northern Africa, Turkey, from the Near East, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, and Pakistan, with nomenclatorial and taxonomic notes (Coleoptera, Carabidae, Bembidiini, Brachinini, Cyclosomini, Elaphrini, Harpalini, Lebiini, Nebriini, Platynini,, Linzer biologische Beiträge 41 (1), pp. 901-935 : 905-906

Harpalus (s.str.) sulphuripes ssp. creticus MAŘAN 1934 , new assignment

Harpalus honestus ssp. creticus MAŘAN 1934: 126

T y p e m a t e r i a l: Lectotype 3, herewith designated, labelled: "Nida – Ida montes / Creta, V, 1934 / Coll. Bartoň" (black print on white label); "TYPUS" (black printed and framed on red label); " ssp. creticus m. / Dr. Mařan det." (white label, first line written by Mařan, second one printed); " H. creticus m. 3 / Dr. J. Mařan det. 1934" (white label, first line handwritten by Mařan, second one printed; "34" handwritten); two subsequent labels: " Mus. Nat. Pragae / Inv. 857 (printed on antique pink, number handwritten), and " Lectotype Harpalus honestus creticus MAŘAN, 1934 WRASE des. 2008" (black print on red label). Paralectotypes: 13, 1♀, with same data as lectotype but without third label, fourth label for female specimen with a female sign instead of male sign, and with inventory number "858" (male), and "895" (female), and with paralectotype labels. All three specimens with label " Harpalus sulphuripes creticus MAŘAN, 1934 WRASE det. 2008" (black print on white label.

A d d i t i o n a l m a t e r i a l: G r e e c e: Kríti: Lasithíou: Díkti Mts., Màles env., 15 km NW Ierápetra, 12.VI.2001, K. Orszulik leg. (1♀, cORSZ). - Haníon: W Crete, Lefka Óri Mts., 4 km S Omalos, 1400 m, 1.IV.1990, R.Borovec leg. (13, cWR). Crete, Levka Ori, E Omalos, 1600 m, N 35°19’15’’/E 23°55’56’’E, 27.V.2004, Chr. Bayer leg. (233, cWR). Crete, Lefka Óri Mts., Omalós, 28.IV.1994, R. Kmeco leg. (1♀, cKM). - Rethímnis: Kreta, Ida-Gebirge, Umg. Ida-Höhle, 1500 m, 24.V.1989, H. Korge leg. (13, cKORG). Crete, Anogia, VI 2003, R. Hergovits leg. (233, 2♀♀, cLOH, cWR). W Crete, Nida-Hochebene, 15 km südlich von Anogia, 1500 m, 4.V.2003, W. Apfel leg. (233, NKME, cWR).

Mařan’s description was based on about 25 specimens coming from the "Montes

Psiloritis (Creta centralis)", which were deposited in the collection of Cyril Bartoň-

Dobenín (stored today in NMP) and in NMP. He separated his taxon defined as subspe-

cies of H. honestus (DUFTSCHMIDT 1812) from the nominotypical H. honestus amongst

other features by more narrowed pronotum, laterally less sinuate, with anterior angles

more rounded, and with posterior angles obtuse, by metepisterna distinctly shorter and by

rudimentary hind wings, median lobe stouter, with apical lamella shorter, and by colora-

tion in males always bluish black, and in females black, respectively.

After having asked for the type series I received three syntypes from NMP, glued to cards and identified by their labels: "Nida – Ida montes / Creta, V, 1934 / Coll. Bartoň". The genitalia of one male were already extracted and glued to card, this male was choosen as lectotype (body length 9.2 mm) and his median lobe I have embedded in Euparal.

Some years earlier I have already investigated material from Crete, belonging to the same taxon, and the identity of the median lobe (apical lamella in sulphuripes GERMAR 1824 only somewhat shorter than in specimens from Crete) and the fine stucture of the internal sac with that one of H. sulphuripes convinced me that it comes nearest to this species. The investigation of the types of H. honestus creticus confirmed my supposition, that they belong to H. sulphuripes and not to H. honestus (DFT.) . So far the nominotypical form of H. sulphuripes GERM. is not known from Crete, this fact makes it very likely that the taxon H. creticus MAŘ. is an isolate, which can, as differing in some important characters, be ranked as one subspecies of the polytypic H. sulphuripes GERM. , which forms in the western part of its range a subspecies (in N Africa, S Spain, S France, and Sardinia with ssp. H. sulphuripes goudotii DEJEAN 1829). The reasons presumably lie also in a brachyptery which limits the spreading power and hence the ability of overcoming geographical considerable barriers.

Judging from the label: " H. creticus m. 3 / Dr. J. Mařan det. 1934" Mařan probably intended to vote for species status for his creticus, though in the description it got a subspecies status. Further investigations may demonstrate that there are two species but for settling of this question more material and genetic research methods are needed.

The nominotypical subspecies of H. sulphuripes GERM. and subspecies H. s. creticus

MAŘ. differ as follows:

A Antennae unicolorous light. Penultimate and preceeding abdominal sternites, except the two obligatory setae glabrous, or sometimes with few fine additional setae. Body on average more slender with head small. Apical lamella of median lobe somewhat shorter. Upper surface black, males mostly with weak metallic tinge from blue to green, females black, or with metallic tinge much weaker than in males. Italy, Balkan Peninsula except Crete, Ukraine, Asia Minor. ............ H. s. ssp. sulphuripes GERMAR 1824

B Antennae except antennomere 1 strongly darkened, especially middle antennomeres. Penultimate and preceeding abdominal sternites, except the two obligatory setae, seemingly always with numerous long additional setae. Body on average stouter with head larger. Apical lamella of median lobe somewhat longer. Upper surface black, with weak blue-violaceous metallic tinge, females black, or with metallic tinge much weaker than in males. Crete ........................ ........................ H. s. ssp. creticus MAŘAN 1934