Carabus (Neoplectes) titarenkoi djanoliensis, Fominykh, Dmitriy D. & Zamotajlov, Alexandr S., 2016

Fominykh, Dmitriy D. & Zamotajlov, Alexandr S., 2016, Further contribution to the knowledge of Georgian species of the Carabus Linnaeus, 1758 subgenus Neoplectes Reitter, 1885, with description of a new subspecies of C. titarenkoi Zamotajlov & Fominykh, 2014 (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Carabini), Zootaxa 4179 (3), pp. 561-599 : 568-569

Carabus (Neoplectes) titarenkoi djanoliensis subsp. nov.

( Figs. 81–84 , 197–202 )

Type material. Holotype: ♂, Georgia, Lechkhumi , right bank of Dzhanoli river near Chkhumi vill., E slopes of Mushulda Mt., 526 m, N 42°35' / E42°40', pitfall traps, 16.04- 13.06.2015 (D. Fominykh & A. Zubov) ( ZISP) . Paratypes: 12♂♂, 21♀♀, same data as holotype ( ZISP, CFDD, CTAY, CZAM) .

Description. Medium-sized form ( Figs. 81–84 ), body length 31.5–37.0 (34.3) mm, males 31.4–32.7 (32.1) mm, females 33.4–36.8 (35.1) mm long. Underside black, dorsum usually with bright metallic lustre, bronze, dark blue, or dark violet. Body slender. Head broad, as in the other Neoplectes -forms. Pronotum faintly constricted posteriorly, hind angles faintly protruding backwards, PW/HW=1.45–1.78 (1.62)2 [1.22–1.60 (1.41) in the nomynotypical subspecies], PW/PL=1.29–1.98 (1.64) [1.20–1.54 (1.24) in the nomynotypical subspecies], PW/ PB=1.03–1.27 (1.15) [1.02–1.28 (1.15) in the nomynotypical subspecies], surface slightly rugous. Elytra elongate, faintly divergent posteriorly, EW/PW=1.20–1.41 (1.31) [1.34–1.65 (1.50) in the nomynotypical subspecies], EL/ EW=1.57–1.81 (1.69) [1.45–1.90 (1.68) in the nomynotypical subspecies], more convex and less ovate in males and somewhat depressed and more ovate in females; elytral sculpture smoother in males, links of its intervals shorter and less pronounced than in females; in females sculpture coarser, intervals more pronounced, this resulting in the more matte surface appearance.

Aedeagus large, broadened apically, of characteristic for the subgenus Neoplectes shape, endophallus ( Figs. 197–202 ) with small ventromedial lobe and ventrobasal projection and large, protruding ventroapical lobe, possesses only minor differences from the nomynotypical subspecies.

Differential diagnosis and remarks. The new subspecies is distinguishable externally from the nomynotypical one by a larger body size, more slender and less ovate body, and somewhat broader head. Results of the discriminant analysis showed consistent differences from the known populations of the nomynotypical subspecies ( Fig. 203 ). Aedeagus somewhat stronger inflated apically (viewed laterally), endophallus with comparatively larger ventroapical and dorsoventral lobes, fainter twisted to the right.

Habitually resembles C. szekelyi from the Nakerala mountains, but has a more slender body appearance ( Figs. 66–69 , 81–84 ) and different structure of endophallus. The shape of the male genitalia resembles that of C. prunierianus , which inhabits the eastern part of the subgenus’ distribution range, but is distinguishable by several 2. Mean values are given in parentheses.

details ( Figs. 159–168 , 197–202 ); both forms are also quite different in external appearance ( Figs. 56–61 , 81–84 ). C. titarenkoi djanoliensis subsp. nov. populates the right bank of the Tskhenis-Tskhali river, where species of the mellyi -group are usually distributed, but differs from them in a number of endophallic characters, already mentioned above. The following key can be used to identify the known C. titarenkoi subspecies:

A. Larger, body length above 33 mm, body more slender, elytra less ovate, endophallus fainter twisted rightwards, its ventroapical lobe somewhat larger; inhabits the right bank of Dzhanoli river.................... C. titarenkoi djanoliensis subsp. nov. B. Smaller, body more robust, elytra stronger ovate, endophallus stronger twisted rightwards, its ventroapical lobe somewhat smaller; inhabits Khvamli mountains Mass..................... .. C. titarenkoi titarenkoi Zamotajlov & Fominykh, 2014

Distribution. C. titarenkoi djanoliensis subsp. nov. is distributed along the right bank of the Tskhenis-Tskhali river, in the Dzhanoli river valley near Chkhumi village.

Habitat. Boxwood forest sites at karstic landforms at 526– 600 m. The adults are active from April to July. Carabus (Tribax) fossiger Chaudoir, 1877 , C. (Sphodristocarabus) armeniacus Mannerheim, 1830 , and C. (Megodontus) septemcarinatus Motschulsky, 1840 also occur together with this subspecies. Etymology. The subspecific epithet refers to the name of the river Dzhanoli, the type locality of this subspecies.

Figures

FIGURE 203. Distribution of morphometric characters in Carabus titarenkoi subspecies constructed using discriminant analysis based on 8 parameters (see text for measurements details).

FIGURES 77 – 84. Dorsal habitus of the Carabus subgenus Neoplectes Reitter: 11 – 77 – 80 — szekelyi Retezár, Itrapula env.; 81 – 84 — Carabus titarenkoi djanoliensis subsp. nov. Scale bar 10.0 mm.

FIGURES 197 – 202. Apical portion of aedeagus and fully inflated endophallus preparation of Carabus titarenkoi djanoliensis subsp. nov.: 193 – 195 — right lateral view; 196 – 198 — dorsolateral view. Scale bar 10.0 mm.

FIGURES 62 – 69. Dorsal habitus of Carabus szekelyi Retezár: 62 – 65 — Dzhalobet env.; 66 – 69 — Nakerala env. Scale bar 10.0 mm.

FIGURES 159 – 164. Apical portion of aedeagus and fully inflated endophallus preparation of Carabus prunierianus Deuve, Magaroskari env.: 159 – 161 — right lateral view; 162 – 164 — dorsolateral view. Scale bar 10.0 mm.

FIGURES 165 – 168. Apical portion of aedeagus a and fully inflated endophallus preparation of Carabus prunierianus Deuve, Passanauri env.: 165 – 166 — right lateral view; 167 – 168 — dorsolateral view. Scale bar 10.0 mm.

FIGURES 56 – 61. Dorsal habitus of Carabus prunierianus Deuve: 56 – 59 — Magaroskari env.; 60 – 61 — Passanauri env. Scale bar 10.0 mm.