Carabus (Archiplectes) besleticus adzinbai Retezar , 2013

Solodovnikov, Igor A., Zamotajlov, Alexandr S., Fominykh, Dmitriy D. & Titarenko, Andrey Y., 2014, Contribution to the knowledge of the Carabus (Archiplectes) satyrus Kurnakov, 1962, species complex in Abkhazia (Coleoptera, Carabidae, Carabini), ZooKeys 463, pp. 21-56 : 30-31

Carabus (Archiplectes) besleticus adzinbai Retezar, 2013 Figs 4, 7

Carabus (Archiplectes) satyrus adzinbai Retezár, 2013: 2

Comparative material examined.

15 specimens were examined (12 specimens measured, 1 male genitalia preparations studied): 1 male, 2 females, Abkhazia, Bzybian Mt. Range, N slope of Mt. Akibakhu (=Turetskaya shapka), 2000 m, alpine zone, 14.VI.-09.VIII.1986, leg. A. Koval (cZAM); 1 male, 10 females, Abkhazia, Bzybian Mt. Range, N slope of Mt. Akibakhu (=Turetskaya shapka), 2000 m, alpine zone, 7-10.VII.2010, leg. D. Fominykh, A. Bondarenko (cFDD, cSIA); 1 female, Abkhazia, Gudauta distr., S slope Bzybian Mt.R., NW Mt.Akugra, 43°18'N / 40°43'E, h = 2130-1150 m, alpine zone, 08.08.2014, leg. I. Solodovnikov, E. Tatun (cSIA).

Description.

Large form, males 31.0-32.0 mm, according to Retezár (2013) 32-34 mm long, females 32.0-35.8 mm, according to Retezár (2013) 33-37 mm long. Underside black, dorsum usually with bright metallic lustre, dark bronze, greenish-bronze, dark blue, reddish-bronze or black, pronotum often greenish; mandibles, palpi, antennae, and legs black. Habitus see Retezár, 2013.

Head normal, frons coarsely, neck moderately wrinkled. Pronotum subquadrate, broadest in anterior one third, PW/PL = 1.14-1.42 (1.25), PW/PB = 1.0-1.26 (1.14), lateral sides of pronotum slightly sinuated before hind angles, the latter strongly protruding backwards and sidewards, pointed apically. Median groove distinct, disk moderately, basal foveae coarsely rugose. Elytra oblong-ovate, broadest behind their middle, EL/EW = 1.61-1.77 (1.69) in males and 1.64-1.85 (1.72) 1.73-1.98 in females. Elytral sculpture somewhat identical in males and females, forming coarse and precise series of links, primary interspaces elevated stronger than secondary ones, regularly interrupted by large foveae. Table 2 lists the main morphometric measurements of one studied population.

The shape of the male genitalia is practically identical to that of the other Carabus (Archiplectes) besleticus taxa.

Differential diagnosis.

This form recently described by Retezár (2013), resembles habitually some populations of Carabus (Archiplectes) besleticus mtsaranus , but unlike them represents somewhat different combination of features. However, the significant and stable difference is not still ascertained, accumulation of the further material from the upper forest belt will apparently make possible unequivocal precision of its taxonomic relationships with other neighboring populations.

Distribution.

Populates the alpine belt of Mt. Khipsta, Mt. Akugra, and Mt. Akibakhu at an altitude of 2000-2300 m.

Habitat.

Prefers alpine herb meadows. Activity of imago proceeds from May to August, beetles being active at melting of snow cover. Carabus (Procechenochilus) gusevi , Carabus (Tribax) circassicus circassicus (natio abasinus ), Carabus (Tribax) constantinovi otcharensis , Carabus (Tribax) agnatus , Carabus (Lipaster) stjervalli humbolti Faldermann, 1835, and Carabus (Pachycarabus) imitator katharinae Reitter, 1896 occur together with this subspecies.