Plagionotus arcuatus shirazensis, Królik & Kruszelnicki & Lasoń & Walczak, 2021

Królik, Roman, Kruszelnicki, Lech, Lasoń, Andrzej & Walczak, Marcin, 2021, Notes on the subspecies of Plagionotus arcuatus (Linnaeus, 1758) with description of a new subspecies from Iran (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), Zootaxa 4942 (4), pp. 558-568 : 560-564

Plagionotus arcuatus shirazensis ssp. nov.

Description. The external morphology of the new subspecies most resembles the nominative form Plagionotus arcuatus arcuatus ( Figs. 1.A–B ). Body length 11.5–16.0 mm (holotype 15.5 mm), width 3.0–5.2 mm (holotype 5.0 mm). Integument black except antennae and part of the legs, covered by recumbent black pubescence with spots and stripes formed from dense yellow pubescence.

Head densely and deeply punctate with yellow pubescence on frons, and in vertex, partly around the eyes and with wide yellow band just behind the eyes. Antennae yellow, relatively long, reaching third (preapical) stripe in males, and second (postmedian) stripe in females.

Pronotum transverse; 1.2 (males) and 1.4 (females) times as wide as long; sides rounded, widest just below midpoint. Pronotum deeply punctate, slightly pale, protruding hairs on sides and base. Pronotum with large stripe on anterior margin, sometimes reduced and interrupted centrally, and two oblique patches laterally, situated in slight depressions. No spots at base of pronotum, but a few white hairs sometimes visible on the sides of its base.

Scutellum triangular, covered with yellow pubescence. Elytra long, almost parallel-sided up to 2/3 of their length; anteriorly with small humeral spots; first transverse elytral stripe (antemedian) large, “zigzag-shape”, on central part of each elytron arched forwards, on presutural part extended posteriorly and then directed forward, towards the scutellum, sometimes with a short break in the part of this stripe along the suture. Second transverse stripe (postmedian) relatively wide, strongly arched forward in the middle of each elytron. Distance between first and second transverse stripes smaller than width of area occupied by the first or second stripe ( Fig. 2G ). Third transverse stripe (preapical) widest in sutural part, gradually tapering to the middle of elytron and bending backwards. Apical stripe covers the end of each elytron in a wide arc, extending farther forwards along the suture. Elytral punctation very dense and relatively thin, evenly distributed across the whole elytral surface.

Legs yellow, only the mid parts of pro- and mesofemora black.

Ventral part black with bands and spots of dense yellow pubescence: four spots on sides of prosternum, two on anterior margin, two beyond procoxae; elongated patches on elytral epipleurum reaching centre of metaepisternum; two spots on mesoventrite beyond mesocoxae and one on mesoventral process; whole metaventrite covered by yellow, dense pubescence except for middle and anterior parts (behind mesocoxae), anterior region of metaepisternum hairless, a large spot in its posterior region; all abdominal sternites covered with dense yellow pubescence, only very small hairless spaces at base of first sternite and between other sternites.

Male genitalia. Tegmen ( Fig. 3A ) and aedeagus ( Fig. 3B ).

Differential diagnosis. The new subspecies is similar to the nominative form, Plagionotus arcuatus arcuatus ( Figs. 1.A–B ). It differs from the latter by the more distinctly parallel-sided elytra, and from all known subspecies, including the nominative one, by the more convoluted pattern on the elytra. This is best seen in the shape of the antemedian stripe, which is usually continuous transversally, very often unbroken along the suture, and curves strongly backwards near the suture, closely approaching the second, postmedian stripe ( Fig. 2G ). The pubescence of the ventral side of the body is dense ( Figs. 2C–D ), particularly on the abdominal sternites, which are almost completely covered by yellow pubescence, in contrast to the other subspecies, where the pubescence covers, at most, the posterior half of each sternite. It is worth noting that in the additional material analysed there was one specimen of P. a. arcuatus from Turkey, Tunceli Prov., in which the appearance of the ventral pubescence is similar to that in P. a. shirazensis ( Figs. 2C–D ). However, the arrangement of the stripes on the elytra is typical for the P. a. arcuatus ( Fig. 2F ). In our opinion, the transverse elytral stipes is the main feature to distinguish the subspecies of P. a. sirazensis. More pronounced ventral pubescence is a constant characteristic of this subspecies, however, it cannot be the only determinant trait to identified it.

Etymology. The species is named after Shiraz, the city in southern Iran at the foot of the Zagros Mountains, the administrative centre of Fars Province and the former capital of Persia.

Larval host plants, habitat. Very probably Quercus macranthera Fisch. & C.A.Mey. ex Hohen. All the specimens were caught on dead or moribund oak trunks. Most likely it is found in sunny, rarely covered oak forests, and even in small clumps of oaks ( Figs. 4A–B ).

Additional material examined: Plagionotus arcuatus arcuatus . Bulgaria: Vidin Prov., Rabisha ad Dimovo , 10.VII.2001, 1 ex., J. Ługowoj leg. ( JŁ) . Croatia: Krk Isl., Njivice , 10.VI .2001 , 1 ex., M. Walczak leg. (MW). Czech Republic: Central Bohemian Reg., Velký Osek , 17.V .1995 , 1 ex., L. Fiala leg. (BB); Pardubice Reg., Uhersko , 2008, ex. larva, 1 ex., L. & R. Fiala leg. (BB). Georgia: Samtskhe–Javakheti Reg., Borjomi, V.2014, 1 ex., M. Walczak leg. ( MW) . Greece: Central Macedonia, 10 km N of Nea Santha , 25.V .2013 , 2 exx., B. Bujnik leg. (BB); Epirus and Western Macedonia, 5 km S of Grevena, 09.VI .2012 , 1 ex., L. Kruszelnicki leg. (LK); Ioánina , 3 km N of Métsovo (39º47’N, 21º10’E, 1390 m amsl), 12–13.VI .2007 , 1 ex., A. Lasoń leg. (AL); 1 ex., J. Ługowoj leg. (JŁ); 1 ex. R. Królik leg. ( RK); Thessaly, Karitsa , 09.VI .2012 , 1 ex., L. Kruszelnicki leg. (LK); Meteora env., 14–15.VI .2007 , 1 ex. ( Fig. 1B ), R. Królik leg. ( RK); Meteora-Vlachava , 28.V–11.VI .2011 , 1 ex., L. & R. Fiala leg. ( BB); Peloponnese, Ag. Pertos , 26.V .2009 , 1 ex., M. Walczak leg. (MW). Italy: Sicily, Madonie ad Piano Zucchi , 08.VI.2011, 3 exx., L. Kruszelnicki leg. (LK); 5 exx., M. Walczak leg. (MW). Poland: Białowieża Primeval Forest, Hajnówka , 25.VI .1994 , 1 ex., A. Lasoń leg. (AL); Białowieża Primeval Forest, Lipiny Res ., 25.VI .1994 , 1 ex., A. Lasoń leg. (AL); Lower Silesia, Bystrzyca ad Oława , 4.V .2020 , 1 ex. ( Fig. 1A ), R. Królik leg. ( RK); Dobrzyń ad Brzeg , 22.VI .2013 , 1 ex., R. Królik leg. ( RK); Rogalice ad Brzeg , 04.VI .2000 , 2 exx., M. Walczak leg. (MW); Śmiechowice ad Brzeg , 22.IV.2012, 1 ex., R . Królik leg. RK; Wojnów ad Wrocław , 18–19.V .2002 , 2 exx., M. Walczak leg. (MW); Podlasie Lowland, Jeńki , 7.VI .2013 , 1 ex., P. Lasoń leg. (AL); Knyszyńska Forest, Krasny Las env., 8.V .2020 , 3 exx., A. Lasoń leg. (AL); Upper Silesia, Katowice-Murcki , 28.VI .1995 , 1 ex., M. Walczak leg. (MW); 04.VI .1995 , 1 ex., M. Walczak leg. (MW); 15.VI .1995 , 1 ex., M. Walczak leg. (MW); 11.VI .1998 , 2 exx., M. Walczak leg. (MW); Ruda Śląska–Halemba , 07.VI .1995 , 2 exx. ( Fig. 2H ), L. Kruszelnicki leg. (LK); Wola ad Pszczyna , 16.VI .2016 , 1 ex., R. Królik leg. ( RK); Wielkopolska-Kujawy Lowland, Buchałów ad Zielona Góra , 26.V .2003 , 1 ex., M. Walczak leg. (MW); Czeszewo , 17.V .2020 , 1 ex., R. Królik leg. (RK). Slovakia: Ružomberok Distr., Smrekovica , 1–2.VIII.2009, 2 exx., L. & R . Fiala leg. (BB). Spain: Cádiz Prov, Los Barrios , 24.V .1986 , 1 ex., J. L. Torres-Mendez leg. (RK). Turkey: Kastamonu Prov., Küre Dağları, W of Karacaören (41º28’N, 33º01’E, 1035m amsl) , 14.VI .2008 , 1 ex., A. Lasoń leg. (AL); Kırklareli Prov., Demirkoy env. (41º49’N, 27º45’E), 5.VI .2001 , 1 ex., J. Ługowoj leg. (JŁ); 16 km NE of Yenice (41º44’N, 27º38’E), 4–5.VI .2000 , 1 ex., J. Ługowoj leg. (JŁ); 1 ex., R. Królik leg. ( RK); Yenice pass (41º45’N, 27º40’E) , 29.V .2002 , 1 ex., R. Królik leg. ( RK); Tunceli Prov., by road from P̹l̹mur to Tunceli (39º29’N–39º07’N, 39º54’E – 39º32’E) , 17–19.VI .2002 , 1 ex. ( Fig. 2F ), R. Królik leg. (RK).

Plagionotus arcuatus ghidottii . Greece: Crete, Alikampos , 15–30.V.2015, 2 exx., L. & R. Fiala leg. (BB); 2015, ex. larva, 2 exx., L. & R. Fiala leg. ( BB); Alikampos-Chania , 16–30.V .2016 , 1 ex. ( Fig. 1D ), P. Hubeny leg. (LK); Omalos , 16.V .2009 , 1 ex., M. Egger leg. (BB).

Plagionotus arcuatus kirgizicus . Kyrgyzstan: Arslanbob env., Jalal-Abad Prov., (41º21’N, 72º57’E), 21– 22. V .2016, 3 exx. ( Figs. 1I, 1J ), A. Shapovalov leg. ( LK, MW) .

Plagionotus arcuatus multiinterruptus . Armenia: Gegharkunik Prov., Semyonovka, 14. VI .2013, 3 exx. ( Figs. 1K, 1L ), L. Kruszelnicki leg. ( LK); 1 ex., M. Walczak leg. ( MW) ; Vayots Dzor Prov., Vayk env., 08. VI .2015, 1 ex., F. Pavel leg. ( LK) . Azerbaijan: Qəbələ rayonu, Qəmərvan (41º03’N, 47º47’E, 1020 m amsl), 4–9. VI .2010, 1 ex., R . Królik leg. ( RK); same data, 2 exx., A. Lasoń leg. ( AL) .

Plagionotus arcuatus lugubris . Azerbaijan: Talysh Mts. , Lerik rayonu, Peştətük env. (38º46’N, 48º34’E, 375 m amsl), 2–3. VI .2010, 3 exx., R. Królik leg. (RK); 4 exx., A. Lasoń leg. (AL); 5–12.VI.2014, 10 exx., R. Królik leg. ( RK); Yardımlı rayonu, Üzyübaşı Mt. , env. of top (38º52’N, 48º06’E, 1890–1930 m amsl), 10–14. VI .2012, 3 exx., R. Królik leg. (RK); 26.V.2013, 5 exx., R. Królik leg. (RK); 2–4.VI.2013, 6 exx. ( Fig. 1G ), R. Królik leg. (RK); 15.V .2014 , 1 ex., R. Królik leg. ( RK); 17 km NE of Yardımlı (38º56’N, 48º26’E, 368–450 m amsl), 24–27. V .2013, 2 exx. ( Fig. 1E ), R. Królik leg. ( RK); 1 ex. , A. Lasoń leg. (AL). Iran: Mazandaran Prov., 28 km E of Marzanabad (36º26’N, 51º32’E, 1110 m amsl), 20– 21.05.2017, 1 ex. , A Lasoń leg. (AL); 4 exx. ( Figs. 1F, 1H ), L. Kruszelnicki leg. ( LK); 1 ex., R . Królik leg. (RK); 2 exx., M. Walczak leg. (MW).

Figures

FIGURE 1. A–L, habitus (dorsal view). Plagionotus arcuatus arcuatus: A, male, Poland (Lower Silesia), B, female, Greece (Thessaly reg.); Plagionotus arcuatus ghidottii: C, male, Greece (Crete, Chania reg.), D, female, Greece (Crete, Chania reg.); Plagionotus arcuatus lugubris: E, male, (Azerbaijan, Yardımlı reg.), F, female, (Iran, Mazandaran prov.), G, female, (Azerbai- jan, Yardımlı reg.), H, female, (Iran, Mazandaran prov.); Plagionotus arcuatus kirgizicus: I, male, (Kyrgyzstan, Jalal-Abad Prov.), J, female, (Kyrgyzstan, Jalal-Abad Prov.); Plagionotus arcuatus multiinterruptus: K, male, (Armenia, Gegharkunik Prov.), L, female, (Armenia Gegharkunik Prov.). Scale bar: 5 mm.

FIGURE 2. A–H, habitus. Plagionotus arcuatus shirazensis ssp. nov.: dorsal view, A, male (Iran, Fars Prov.), B, female (Iran, Fars Prov.), ventral view: C, male, (Iran, Fars Prov.), D, female, (Iran, Fars Prov.), E, holotype (Iran, Fars Prov.); Plagionotus arcuatus arcuatus: F, male (Turkey, Tunceli Prov.); Plagionotus arcuatus shirazensis ssp. nov.: G, male, (Iran, Fars Prov.). Plagionotus arcuatus arcuatus: H, female, Poland (Upper Silesia). Scale bar: 5mm.

FIGURE 3. A–B, Male genitalia of Plagionotus arcuatus shirazensis ssp. nov., A, tegmen, dorsal view, B, aedeagus, ventral view; C–D, differences in hair in two groups of subspecies, C, yellow pubescence behind the eyes in a Plagionotus arcuatus arcuatus, D, pale pubescence in a P. arcuatus lugubris. Scale bar: 1 mm (A–B) and 3 mm (C–D).

FIGURE 4 A–B, Habitat of Plagionotus arcuatus shirazensis ssp. nov., A, Wester view of the research plot from the road running from Dasht-e Arzhan to Burenjan, B, the same place on the south side.