Tapinopterus (Molopsis) aenigmaticus, Lohaj, Roman, Guéorguiev, Borislav, Dubault, Gérard & Lassalle, Bernard, 2012

Lohaj, Roman, Guéorguiev, Borislav, Dubault, Gérard & Lassalle, Bernard, 2012, Revision of Molopsis Schatzmayr (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Pterostichini), with descriptions of four new species, Zootaxa 3185, pp. 1-35 : 7-9

Tapinopterus (Molopsis) aenigmaticus sp.nov.

(Figs. 5, 28–29, 47, 57, 82, 97, 112, 126)

Type locality. Turkey?

Material examined. One specimen.

Type material. Holotype 3, with left hind leg and three right metatarsomeres missing, Armenie (h) / Fer. (Tapinopt.) rectangula Chd. (pale orange h)* / Zool.Inst St. Petersburg (yellow p) / HOLOTYPE Tapinopterus (sg. Molopsis ) aenigmaticus n. sp. Lohaj, Guéorguiev, Dubault & Lassalle, 2004 (red p)/ (Fig.5) ( ZISP).

*Note: One male of Molopsis molopiformis in ZISP bears label “Caucase?” written with the same handwriting and on same pale orange paper as the first two labels of the new species. We assume these labels were later additions.

Description. BL 12.1 mm, maximum width 4.4 mm. Head, pronotum and elytra black, shiny, antennae, legs and abdomen piceous brown. Head large, robust, almost as long as wide, shiny, smooth, with very fine microsculpture. Antennae relatively short, reaching hind angles of pronotum, with dense, decumbent pubescence on antennomeres 4–11.

Pronotum wider than long, ratio PL/PW 0.67, with rounded lateral sides, shiny, smooth, with very fine transversal wringles along the midline. Anterior edge strongly sinuate, with prominent, rounded, apical angles. Posterior angles small, almost rectangular. Base of pronotum with single deep linear posterolateral impression on each side of midline, reaching basal third, smooth, with very fine transversal wrinkles. Midline distinct, not reaching basal or anterior margins.

Elytra parallel-sided, slightly flattened, with distinct, finely punctate striae. Third elytral interval with two setigerous pores situated in apical half of elytra, 2nd in middle and 3rd in apical fourth. Umbilicate series consists of 14 setigerous punctures on each side, in the middle widely interrupted, with distribution: left side 5 + 1 + 8, right side 6 + 8.

Male genitalia. Median lobe of aedeagus relatively short, straight, with short and fine apex in dorsal view and a small twisted tooth in ventral position (Figs. 28–29); apical orifice deflected to left laterad position, ventral margin forming slight acute angle at medial part, lobe with distinct lateral process in left lateral view (Figs. 47, 57). Right paramere strongly curved apically, with thicker basal part and thin apical part truncate towards tip (Fig. 82, 97). Left paramere with subangular plate, long, thin transverse apophysis, slightly bent inwards, and oblique paramedial apophysis (Figs. 112, 126).

Female genitalia. Unknown.

PLATE 1. Habitus of Tapinopterus species (Figs. 1–12). Fig. 1. Tapinopterus (Pseudomolopsis) rebellis ( Greece, Taygetos); Fig. 2. T. (Pseudomolopsis) rebellis kumanensis (holotype); Fig. 3. T. (Molopsis) molopiformis (lectotype of Feronia rectangula ); Fig. 4. T. (Molopsis) molopiformis ( Turkey, Boz daġ); Fig. 5. T. (Molopsis) aenigmaticus sp. nov. (holotype); Fig. 6. T. (Molopsis) phrygius (syntype); Fig. 7. T. (Molopsis) phrygius ( Turkey, Davraz daġ); Fig. 8. T. (Molopsis) phrygius ( Turkey, Kumalar daġlari); Fig. 9. T. (Molopsis) phrygius (holotype of Tapinopterus dipojranus ); Fig. 10. T. (Molopsis) phrygius (paratype of Tapinopterus dipojranus cilicius ); Fig. 11. T. (Molopsis) phrygius ( Turkey, Beyşehir); Fig. 12. T. (Molopsis) phrygius ( Turkey, Sultan daġlari).

Etymology. From the Latin adjective aenigmaticus , meaning “enigmatic”. The name reflects the uncertainty about the type locality of this species.

Diagnosis. This species is easily recognized from all other species of the group by the shape of the median lobe of aedeagus and right paramere; median lobe dorsally with short, fine apex, with distinct lateral process at left lateral position which forms a small tooth ventrally; ventral margin of forming slight acute angle at medial part (Figs. 28–29, 47, 57). Right paramere strongly curved apically, with thin apical part not pointed towards tip (Fig. 82, 97).

Distribution. The type locality of this new species remains uncertain. If the locality label “ Armenie ” is correct (see also Note above), the new species originated either from Armenia (former republic of USSR) or from “Armenian Taurus” of ancient authors. This region, also called “Small Armenia ” is located in Kurdistan, south of Lake Van (see Casale & Vigna Taglianti, 1999: 401, note 21). Correct type locality needs to be confirmed by the examination of additional material.