15. Andrena shakuensis Popov, 1949

(Figs 15a–e)

Andrena shakuensis Popov, 1949: 390, ♀.

Type locality: Northern Iran. Shah Kuh (Schaku in original label) means the top of mountain.

Published (original) locality: Northern Iran: Shaku.

Lectotype (designated here): ♀, Schaku. // к. Ф. Моравица [Collection of F. Morawitz] // Eversmanni Rad., ♀ [handwritten by F. Morawitz] // shakuensis sp. n. // Andr. shakuensis sp. n., Typ., ♀, Popov 1936 det. // Lectotypus, Andrena shakuensis Popov, design. Osytshnjuk <red label> // Lectotypus, Andrena shakuensis Popov, 1949, design. Astafurova et al., 2023 <red label> // Zoological Institute St. Petersburg INS_HYM_0000257 .

Paralectotypes: 2 ♀, the same label as in the lectotype // Paralectotypus, Andrena shakuensis Popov, 1949, design. Astafurova et al., 2023 <red label>.

Current status. Andrena (incertae sedis) shakuensis Popov, 1949 .

Remark. Male unknown (according to Osytshnjuk et al. 2005: 147).

According to T.J. Wood (personal communication) Andrena shakuensis is a junior synonym of A. eversmanni Radoszkowski, 1867 . Based on the study of the lectotype of A. eversmanni ciscaspica, which is also a junior synonym of A. eversmanni, we do not support this opinion.

Andrena shakuensis was originally described as a Plastandrena . Gusenleitner & Schwarz (2002) examined the type series and expressed doubts about its subgeneric placement, and moved it to?Poliandrena, a subgenus that now does not exist (polyphyletic, = Ulandrena in a strict sense, most assigned members belong to undescribed subgenera).

We confirm that it should be placed as incertae sedis, because this species has features uncharacteristic of Plastandrena: 1) a granulate-wrinkled propodeal triangle; 2) the inner hind tibial spur without base broadened; 3) the mesopleuron shiny, punctures are quite small and scattered, like the sculpture of tergums; 4) the clypeus flattened, not convex; apical part smooth, with very sparse strongly scattered punctures; base with wedge-shaped non-punctured band.

The status of this species requires further research.

Distribution. Iran.