Aleochara (Rheochara) leptocera EPPELSHEIM , 1889

Assing, Volker, 2007, On the Aleocharini of Turkey, with notes on some species from adjacent regions (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae, Aleocharinae), Beiträge Zur Entomologie = Contributions to Entomology 57 (1), pp. 177-209 : 200-201

Aleochara (Rheochara) leptocera EPPELSHEIM, 1889 ( Figs 97-98 )

Aleochara (Baryodma) leptocera EPPELSHEIM, 1889: 167 f.

Type material examined: Neotype ♀: ♀ / El Ramleh, Nest von Spalax Ehrenbergi / Palästina, Israel / leptocera Epp / ex coll. Scheerpeltz / Neotypus Rheochara leptocera Epp. / Aleochara leptocera Eppelsheim det. V. Assing 2007 ( NMW).

“ Holotype ”: Turcia Merkl / c. Eppelsh. Steind. d. / leptocera Fauv. var. minor / 21 / leptocera Epp. Deutsch. ent. Zeit. 1889 p. 167 / Typus / Dieses Ex. wurde so von Dr. Likovsky zurückgesendet / Aleochara spadicea Erichson det. V. Assing 2007 ( NMW).

Comments:

The original description of A. leptoceraleptocera is based on a single holotype specimen “von der türkischen Ausbeute Merkl´s” ( EPPELSHEIM, 1889). In a key to the species of Rheochara, SCHEERPELTZ (1969a) gave a diagnosis of A. leptocera . In the same year, SCHEERPELTZ (1969b) published a short supplement to this paper, which he dedicated entirely to the type of A. leptocera . As stated in the supplement, the holotype had been loaned out to Z. Likovský, but instead of returning the original specimen, he had mounted a small damaged specimen of A. spadiceaspadicea on the pin. According to SCHEERPELTZ (1969b), all subsequent attempts at retrieving the original specimen failed, so that a neotype was designated. Unfortunately, this neotype is a female. In external appearance, it resembles a large dark specimen of A. spadicea , but the pronotum is more finely punctate than is usually the case in A. spadicea ( Fig. 97 ). In addition, the spermathecal duct is of slightly different shape ( Fig. 98 ).

There is little chance that it will ever become clear if the neotype is really conspecific with the original holotype of A. leptocera . Consequently , the presence of this species in Turkey is currently doubtful .

Figures

Figs 97-102: Neotype of Aleochara leptoceraleptocera (97-98) and lectotype of A. spalacis (99-102): forebody (97, 99); spermatheca (98); abdomen (100); median lobe of aedeagus in lateral view (101); apical lobe of paramere (102). Scale bars: 97, 99-100: 1.0 mm; 101: 0.2 mm; 98, 102: 0.1 mm.