Amara (Bradytus) chalciope (Bates, 1891)

Kavanaugh, David H., Hieke, Fritz, Liang, Hongbin & Dong, Dazhi, 2014, Inventory of the carabid beetle fauna of the Gaoligong Mountains, western Yunnan Province, China: species of the tribe Zabrini (Coleoptera, Carabidae), ZooKeys 407, pp. 55-119 : 77-78

8. Amara (Bradytus) chalciope (Bates, 1891) Figs 5 b–c, 5e, 6b, 16, 24a, 24b, 25a, 26a, 27-30

Leiocnemis chalciope Bates, 1891: 71. Type material: Holotype male in BMNH. Type locality: China, Sichuan, snowy mountain near Kangding ("Snowy Range, near Tatsienlu"), 13000 ft.

Amara (Niphobles) szetschuana Jedlička, 1934a: 17. Type material: Holotype female in NMPC. Type locality: China, Sichuan, Kangding ( “Tatsienlu”). Transferred to subgenus Bradytus by Baliani (1937: 176), synonymized by Hieke (1983: 361).

Diagnosis.

Adults of this species (Fig. 16) can be distinguished from those of all other species in the region by the following combination of character states: body length 7.5-9.0 mm; dorsal surface dark with distinct metallic blue-green reflection in most specimens, non-metallic black in a few specimens, at least femora and outer antennomeres dark (piceous to black); elytral microsculpture comprised of isodiametric meshes, faintly impressed or nearly effaced in males, deeply impressed and distinct in females; pronotum (Fig. 16a) with lateral margins straight or faintly to distinctly sinuate just anterior to basal angles, rounded near middle, less rounded or nearly straight also in anterior one-third in most specimens, anterior angles distinctly and narrowly projected anteriorly beyond anterior margin, lateral explanation distinctly broader basally, outer basal impressions indistinct from lateral groove in most specimens, punctation of base extended anteriorly along sides to pronotal mid-length; elytra with parascutellar pore puncture absent; medial protibial spurs simple; metatibia of male without brush-like setae medially in the apical half; tarsomere 5 of hind tarsi with two or (in a few specimens) three pairs of setae ventrally (Fig. 6b); last abdominal sternite of male with one pair (Fig. 5e) and female with two pairs (Fig. 5c) of setiferous punctures near hind margin.

Habitat distribution.

Specimens of this species were collected in daytime from under stones and other cover in open roadside areas (Figs 24b, 25a, 26a), particularly on bare granitic sand substrates on roadcuts, landslides, stream banks, flood outwash flats and open slopes above treeline (Fig. 24a), and in these same habitats at night, when beetles were found active on bare substrate. Members of this species were found at elevations ranging from 1500 to 3611 m (most abundantly between 2500 and 3200 m), and syntopic with adults of Amara birmana , Amara dissimilis , Amara elegantula , Amara latithorax , Amara lucidissima , Amara shaanxiensis , Amara sikkimensis , Amara silvestrii at one or more sites.

Geographical distribution within the Gaoligong Shan.

Fig. 16d. We examined a total of 634 specimens (296 males and 338 females) from the following localities: Fugong County: Lishadi Township (Shibali area, 27.16553°, 98.77854°, 2550 m, 5 and7 May 2004, D.H. Kavanaugh, H.B. Liang, X.Y. Li, X.Q. Li and H.M. Yan collectors [12 females; IOZ]), 27.16536°, 98.78003°, 2535 m, 4-17 August 2005, D.H. Kavanaugh, H.B. Liang, P. Paquin & D.Z. Dong collectors [9 males and 7 females; CAS, IOZ], 4-5 October 2007, D.H. Kavanaugh, H.B. Liang & H.L. Shi collectors [1 male and 5 females]), (0.3 km SE of Shibali at North Fork Yamu River, 27.16337°, 98.78208°, 2475 m, 7 May 2004, D.H. Kavanaugh & C.E. Griswold collectors [2 males; CAS]),(1.5 km below Shibali on Yaping Road, 27.16284°, 98.78989°, 2420 m, 2 May 2004, H.B. Liang & G.X. Peng collectors [2 males and 6 females; CAS, IOZ]), (2.0 km E of Shibali on Shibali Road, 27.16276°, 98.78927°, 2430 m, 6 August 2005, H.B. Liang collector [5 males and 2 females; CAS, IOZ], 27.16100°, 98.79370°, 2300-2350 m, 18 August 2005, D.Z. Dong collector [3 males and 7 females; CAS, IOZ]), (2.7 km above of Shibali on Shibali Road, 27.17368°, 98.76684°, 2735 m, 10 August 2005, D.H. Kavanaugh collector [2 females; CAS, IOZ]), (2.8 km above of Shibali on Shibali Road, 27.17405°, 98.76722°, 2750 m, 9 August 2005, D.Z. Dong collector [1 male and 1 female; CAS, IOZ]), (4 km E of Shibali on Shibali Road, 27.15727°, 98.79784°, 2280 m, 11 August 2005, D.Z. Dong collector [1 male and 1 female; CAS IOZ]), (4 km W of Shibali on Shibali Road, 27.17740°, 98.75490°, 2800 m, 16 August 2005, D.Z. Dong collector [2 males and 1 female; CAS IOZ]), (8.4 to 9.5 km W of Shibali on Shibali Road, 27.18740°, 98.71936°, 3160-3195 m, 13 August 2005, D.H. Kavanaugh, H.B. Liang & D.Z. Dong collectors [1 male and 1 female; CAS, IOZ]), (8.5 km above Shibali on Shibali Road at North Fork Yamu River, 27.18416°, 98.72026°, 3100 m, 7 May 2004, D.H. Kavanaugh & B.X. Zhu collectors [1 male; CAS]), (9.5 to10.0 km W of Shibali on Shibali Road, 27.19438°, 98.71486°, 3195-3200m, 12 August 2005, D.H. Kavanaugh, H.B. Liang & D.Z. Dong collectors [15 males and 12 females; CAS, IOZ, ZMHB]), (10 km above Shibali on Shibali Road, 27.20055°, 98.71399°, 3121 m, 5-6 August 2005, D.H. Kavanaugh, P. Paquin & D.Z. Dong collectors [6 males and7 females; CAS, IOZ]), (10 km above Shibali on Shibali Road, 27.19980°, 98.71375°, 3200 m, 16 August 2005, J.F. Zhang collector [10 males and 9 females; CAS, IOZ]), (10 to 11 km above Shibali on Shibali Road, 27.19980°, 98.71375°, 3200-3280 m, 8 August 2005, D.H. Kavanaugh, H.B. Liang, P. Paquin & D.Z. Dong collectors [2 males and 3 females; CAS, IOZ]), (10.1 km above Shibali on Shibali Road, 27.20049°, 98.71354°, 3225 m, 6 May 2004, D.H. Kavanaugh, C.E. Griswold, H.B. Liang & B.X Zhu collectors [3 males and 1 female; CAS, IOZ]), (10.1 to11.5 km above Shibali on Shibali Road, 27.20676°, 98.71763°, 3225-3290 m, 8 May 2004, D.H. Kavanaugh, C.E. Griswold, H.B. Liang, X.Y. Li & Z.B. Xi collectors [1 male; IOZ]); Lumadeng Township (8.5 km above Shibali on Shibali Road at North Fork Yamu He, 27.18416°, 98.72026°, 3100 m, 8 August 2005, D.H. Kavanaugh, P. Paquin, D.Z. Dong & J.F. Zhang collectors [1 female; CAS], (7.5 km below Shibali on Yaping Road, 27.14627°, 98.81559°, 2030 m, 3 May 2004, H.B. Liang & M. Xie collectors [2 males; CAS, IOZ]), (Lao Shibali wood inspection station, 27.07831°, 98.77416°, 2305 m, 21 August 2005, H.B. Liang & J.F. Zhang collectors [2 males; CAS, IOZ]), (1 km E of Lao Shibali on Lao Shibali Road at South Fork Yamu He, 27.08141°, 98.78273°, 2275 m, 15 August 2005, D.H. Kavanaugh collector [1 males; CAS]), (1.3 km E of Lao Shibali on Lao Shibali Road at South Fork Yamu He, 27.08180°, 98.78670°, 2250 m, 15 August 2005, D.H. Kavanaugh, H.B. Liang & J.F. Zhang collectors [2 males and 6 females; CAS, IOZ]), (1.6 km E of Lao Shibali on Lao Shibali Road at South Fork Yamu He, 27.08260°, 98.78877°, 2240 m, 21 August 2005, D.H. Kavanaugh collector [5 males and 9 females; CAS, IOZ]), (6.7 km E of Lao Shibali on Lao Shibali Road at tributary of South Fork Yamu He, 27.10437°, 98.73253°, 2805 m, 13 August 2005, D.H. Kavanaugh, H.B. Liang, D.Z. Dong & J.F. Zhang collectors [1 male and 3 females; CAS, IOZ]), (7.0 km E of Lao Shibali on Lao Shibali Road at tributary of South Fork Yamu He, 27.10220°, 98.73107°, 2800 m, 13 August 2005, D.H. Kavanaugh & P. Paquin collectors [5 males; CAS, IOZ]); Lao Shibali Yakou (27.06429°, 98.75123°, 3270 m, 13 August 2005, D.H. Kavanaugh & D.Z. Dong collectors [1 male and 2 females; CAS, IOZ]); ridge and cirques S of Shibali Yakou (27.20035°, 98.69604°, 3599-3611 m, 5 October 2007, H.L. Shi, H.B. Liang & X.J. Peng collectors [1 female; IOZ]); South Fork Yamu He (at Lao Shibali, 27.07978°, 98.77328°, 2305 m, 15 August 2005, D.H. Kavanaugh & D.Z. Dong collectors [2 females; IOZ]), (at Yejiadi, 27.08004°, 98.77325°, 2307 m, 10 May 2004, H.B. Liang, X.Y. Li and B.X. Zhu collectors [3 males and 2 females; CAS, IOZ]). Gongshan County: Bapo (2 km N along Dulong Jiang, 27.76000°, 98.34611°, 1510 m, 16-17 July 2000, P. Thomas collector [2 males; CAS, IOZ]), Bingzhongluo Township (Guocai He at Fucai, 28.00855°, 98.51886°, 2800 m, 16 August 2006, D.Z. Dong collector [1 male; IOZ]), (Niwaluo He just above Nu Jiang Road, 28.05140°, 98.59319°, 1630 m, 8 October 2002, D.H. Kavanaugh, P.E. Marek & D.Z. Dong collectors [1 female; CAS]); Cikai Township (8.3 to 13.1 km NW of Cikai on Dulong Valley Road, 27.75653°, 98.58214°, 2630-3000 m, 23 September 2002, D.H. Kavanaugh, P.E. Marek & D.Z. Dong collectors [6 males and 10 females; CAS, IOZ]), (Km 49 on Gongshan-Dulong Road, 27.78075°, 98.47000°, 3330m, 1 October 2002, D.H. Kavanaugh collector [5 males and 6 females; CAS, IOZ]), (53 km W of Cikai on Dulong Valley Road, 27.77422°, 98.44716°, 3380 m, 1 October 2002, D.H. Kavanaugh & H.B. Liang collectors [2 females; CAS, IOZ]), (57 km W of Cikai on Dulong Valley Road, 27.80789°, 98.45736°, 3162 m, 2 October 2002, H.B. Liang collector [2 males and 1 female; CAS, IOZ]); Heipu Yakou ((southeast slope, 27.77032°, 98.44674°, 3365 m, 11and 13 August 2006, D.H. Kavanaugh, J.A. Miller, D.Z. Dong & Y. Liu collectors [6 males and 4 females; CAS, IOZ]); Dabadi (40 km W of Cikai on Dulong Valley Road, 27.79619°, 98.51867°, 3900 m, 29 September 2002, H.B. Liang collector [38 males and 28 females; CAS, IOZ, ZMHB]), (41 km W of Cikai on Dulong Valley Road, 27.79655°, 98.50562°, 3000 m, 27 September - 6 October 2002, D.H. Kavanaugh, P.E. Marek, H.B. Liang, D.Z. Dong & X.C. Li collectors [67 males and 70 females; CAS, IOZ, ZMHB]), (45 km W of Cikai on Dulong Valley Road,, 27.78253°, 98.50444°, 3133 m, 2 October 2002, H.B. Liang collector [2 males and 2 females; CAS, IOZ]); Danzhu He drainage (27.63063°, 98.62074°, 2700 m, 30 June-5 July 2000, D.H. Kavanaugh, C.E. Griswold & H.B. Liang collectors [20 males and 34 females; CAS, IOZ, ZMHB]); Heiwadi (15 km W of Cikai on Dulong Valley Road, 27.79584°, 98.58443°, 2022 m, 4 October 2002, H.B. Liang, W.D. Ba and C.G. Jin collectors [1 male and 1 female; CAS, IOZ], 10 October 2002, D.H. Kavanaugh, P.E. Marek & H.B. Liang collectors [11 males and 4 females; CAS, IOZ]), (27.77415°, 98.61382°, 1767 m, 5 November 2004, H.B. Liang collector [1 male; IOZ]); Qiqi He (27.75748°, 98.66073°, 1500 m, 30 September-1 October 2007, D.H. Kavanaugh, H.B. Liang & H.L. Shi collectors [1 female; CAS]); Qiqi Trail (at No. 12 Bridge Camp, 27.71502°, 98.50244°, 2775 m, 15-19 July 2000, D.H. Kavanaugh & H.B. Liang collectors [2 males and 1 female; CAS, IOZ]), (at Dongshaofang area, 27.69504°, 98.48433°, 3230-3680 m, 16-17 July 2000, D.H. Kavanaugh & H.B. Liang collectors [8 male and 10 females; CAS, IOZ]). Longyang County: Bawan-Tengchong Road Km 36-37 (24.93417°, 98.77944°, 2150 m, 12 October 2003, H.B.Liang & X.C. Shi collectors [1 female; IOZ]). Lushui County: Luzhang Township (Fengxue Yakou at Pianma Road, 25.97228°, 98.68336°, 3150 m, 15 October 2002, D.H. Kavanaugh P.E. Marek & H.B. Liang collectors [8 males and 10 females], 11 May 2005, D.H. Kavanaugh, H.B. Liang, C.E. Griswold, D.Z. Dong & G. Tang collectors [1 female; CAS]), (Yaojiaping He at Pianma Road, 25.97722°, 98.71091°, 2527 m, 19-20 May 2005, D.H. Kavanaugh, C.E. Griswold, H.B. Liang, D.Z. Dong & G. Tang collectors [23 males and 33 females; CAS, IOZ]); Pianma (9 km ESE on Pianma Road at Changya He, 25.99414°, 98.66336°, 2450 m, 14 May 2005, H.B. Liang collector [2 females; CAS, IOZ]), (9.3 km ESE on Pianma Road, 25.99363°, 98.66651°, 2460-2470m, 15-18 October 1998, D.H. Kavanaugh collector [6 males and 6 females; CAS, IOZ]), (Changya He, 25.99363°, 98.66651°, 2460-2470m, 13 October 1998, D.H. Kavanaugh collector [3 males and 6 females; CAS, IOZ]). Tengchong County: Bawan-Tengchong Road Km 42-46 (24.95361°, 98.74222°, 2290 m, 14 October 2003, H.B. Liang & X.C. Shi collectors [2 males and 1 female; CAS, IOZ].

This is the only species recorded from all seven Core Areas in the Gaoligong Shan region; but in the southern half of the study area, it is restricted to only the highest elevations, where members are found mainly on the passes over the crest of the mountain range and on the slopes just below the passes on both sides.

Overall geographical distribution.

Fig. 27. This species has been recorded from Bhutan and China (Fujian, Sichuan and Yunnan Provinces and Xizang Autonomous Region).