Lethrus microbuccis, Ballion, 1871

Shapovalov, Andrey M. & Bagaturov, Mikhail F., 2023, A review of the subgenus Mesolethrus Nikolajev, 2003 of the genus Lethrus Scopoli, 1777 (Coleoptera: Geotrupidae: Lethrinae) with description of a new species, Zootaxa 5351 (4), pp. 435-452 : 439

Lethrus microbuccis -species group

Diagnosis. Dorsal surface of the mandibles in both sexes with low, not sharp keels ( Figs. 3–8 ), keel on the right mandible less distinct and can be obtuse. Elytral striae indistinct or distinct, but not definitely impressed ( Figs. 3–8 ). Ventrites without denticles; subapical ventrite with tuft of long erect setae, which is denser in females ( Figs. 40–43 ). Dorsal surface of the body usually more or less dull ( Figs. 3–8 ), although metallic tinge can be rather well pronounced ( Fig. 5 ). Parameres anteriorly curved downwards, in lateral view apically appearing roundish or acuminate ( Figs. 11–21 ); sclerotized apex of endophallus not subclavate ( Figs. 24–31 ) and not curved in lateral view ( Figs. 26, 31 ), resembling an anteriorly bilobed subrectangular plate ( Figs. 28–30 ) or elongate ( Figs. 24–27 ), surface more or less finely granular ( Figs. 24–31 ).

Notes. The species group includes all the other five species of the subgenus: L. shakhristanicus , L. nuratavicus , L. microbuccis , L. elisae and L. d yonini A. Shapovalov & Bagaturov, new species.

Figures

FIGURES 1–4. Lethrus (Mesolethrus) species, male, habitus. 1–2, L. inermis Reitter, 1897 (1—Dahanakiik; 2—20 km W Oqmachit); 3, L. shakhristanicus Nikolajev, 2003 (9 km S Ai-Kol); 4, L. nuratavicus Nikolajev, 1987 (28 km SW Zaamin).

FIGURES 5–8. Lethrus (Mesolethrus) species, habitus. 5, L. microbuccis Ballion, 1871 (9 km S Ai-Kol); 6, L. elisae Nikolajev, 2001 (Shurob); 7–8, L. dyonini A. Shapovalov & Bagaturov, new species (environs of Tashsay), 7—holotype, 8—allotype. 5–7—males, 8—female.

FIGURES 32–43. Lethrus (Mesolethrus) species. 32, 39, L. inermis Reitter, 1897 (Dahanakiik); 33, L. shakhristanicus Nikolajev, 2003 (9 km S Ai-Kol); 34, L. nuratavicus Nikolajev, 1987 (28 km SW Zaamin); 35, 40–42, L. microbuccis Ballion, 1871 (35, 41—Golbo env., 39—Mullabulak, 40—20 km S Guldara); 36, L. elisae Nikolajev, 2001 (Shurob); 37–38, 40–41, L. dyonini A. Shapovalov & Bagaturov, new species, paratypes (environs of Tashsay). 32–37 gena, 38 left mandible, 39 abdomen (lateral view), 40–41 abdomen and apices of elytra (antero-ventral view; 40—male, 41—female), 42–43 tuft of long erect setae on subapical ventrite (lateral view; 42—male, 43—female).

FIGURES 9–31. Lethrus (Mesolethrus) species, males genitalia. 9–10, 22–23, L. inermis Reitter, 1897 (9–10—20 km W Oqmachit, 22–23—Pashtamazar); 11–12, 24, L. shakhristanicus Nikolajev, 2003 (9 km S Ai-Kol); 13–14, 25–27, L. nuratavicus Nikolajev, 1987 (28 km SW Zaamin); 15–16, 28, L. microbuccis Ballion, 1871 (Golbo env.); 15–16, 28, L. microbuccis Ballion, 1871 (Golbo env.); 17–18, 29, L. elisae Nikolajev, 2001 (Shurob); 19–21, 30–31, L. dyonini A. Shapovalov & Bagaturov, new species, paratypes (environs of Tashsay). 9–21 aedeagus (9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19–20—ventral view; 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 21—lateral view), 22–31 sclerotized apex of endophallus (22, 24, 25, 28–30 dorsal view, 23, 26, 31—lateral view, 27—ventral view).