Graptodytes pietrii NORMAND , 1933

Fery, Hans & Bouzid, Slimane, 2016, Notes on Graptodytes SEIDLITZ, 1887, re-instatement of G. laeticulus (SHARP, 1882) as valid species and description of Tassilodytes nov. gen. from Algeria (Coleoptera, Dytiscidae, Hydroporinae, Siettitiina), Linzer biologische Beiträge 48 (1), pp. 451-481 : 466

Graptodytes pietrii NORMAND, 1933

Graptodytes pietrii NORMAND, 1933:297 ; GUIGNOT. 1959: 406; GSCHWENDTNER 1939: 36; FERY 1988: 161, 1995: 38, RIBERA & FAILLE 2010: 11.

T y p e l o c a l i t y:LeKef, Tunisia.

T ype material: The lectotype was designated by FERY (1995: 38) and is kept in the MNHN. Some paralectotypes are stored also in the MNHN and several further ones in the INAT (see FERY 1995: 38).

Graptodytes pietrii was recorded by FERY (1988) also from Sicily ( Italy). Seven years later, however, the Sicilian specimens were attributed to the new species Graptodytes siculus FERY, 1995 . Both species belong together with Graptodytes castilianus FERY, 1995 , and Graptodytes aequalis (ZIMMERMANN, 1918) to the aequalis -group of species as given in RIBERA & FAILLE (2010: 11).

As far as we know, GUIGNOT (1959: 406) was the only author who recorded this species from Algeria (Edough, near Annaba). We can state that this species is rather abundant in north-eastern A l g e r i a and give the following modern records (all environs of Annaba): 23 exs, 29.6.2009, nr Ben-Azzouz (Skikda), Garaet Chichaya , 36.886N 7.300E, 10 m ; 1 ex., 4.7.2009, nr Ben-Azzouz (Skikda), Garaet Zaouia , 36.869N 7.380E, 2 m ; 2 exs, 7.7.2009, nr El-Kala (El-Tarf), 36.882N 8.343E, Marécage Mellah , 1 m ; 1 ex., 17.6.2007, Mellah, El Kala (El Tarf) 36.868N 8.342E, spring, 3 m ; 9 exs, 14.3.2007, Réserve Brabtia, El Kala (El Tarf) 36.849N 8.326E, pond, 20 m ; 1 ex., 26.5.2005, Oued El-Hout, El Kala (El Tarf), 36.836N 8.439E, 20 m ; 2 exs, 15.6.2006 Gauthier, El Kala (El Tarf) 36.836N 8.439E, temporary pool, 30 m ; 3 exs, 11.4.2006, Raml-Souk, El Tarf, 36.793N 8.520E, streamlet, 110 m ; 2 exs, 8.6.2006, idem ; 16 exs, 8.6.2006, Raml-Souk, El Tarf, 36.792N 8.522E, well, 100 m ; 1 ex., 16.3.2006, Mare El Feid, Ben M'Hidi (El Tarf), 36.733N 8.029E, 10 m ; 1 ex., 23.6.2007, Djebel Ghorra, Bougous (El Tarf) 36.605N 8.366E, pond, 790 m ; 1 ex., 29.4.2006, Ghobn Kef-Kourrath, Medjez Sfa (Guelma), 36.437N 7.854E, 530 m ; 1 ex., 28.3.2006, Ghobn Chaabat Errich, Medjez Sfa (Guelma), 36.427N 7.839E, 320 m ; all specimens Bouzid leg. (CHF, CSB).

Some records from northern T u n i s i a shall be added: 3 exs, 9.4.1992, near Le Kef, Fery leg. ( CHF). 2 exs, 27.4.2006, Oued Lebna , 36.94N 10.89E, 7 m ; 3 exs, 23.10.2005, idem ; 2 exs, 25.7.2005, idem ; 1 ex., 29.11.2005, SSW Tabarka, Oued Amor amont [amont = upstream], 36.92N 8.74E, 12 m ; 2 exs, 30.8.2005, Oued Bouterfes , 36.95N 8.91E, 100 m ; all specimens Touaylia, Bejaoui & Boumaiza leg. ( CHF) .