Lethrus (Mesolethrus) shakhristanicus Nikolajev, 2003

(Figs. 3, 11–12, 24, 33)

Lethrus (Furcilethrus) nuratavicus Nikolajev, 1987: 42 (partim studied material from: “Nuratau Mountain Range, Asmansay gorge”, currently Jizzakh Reg. of Uzbekistan).

Lethrus (Mesolethrus) shakhristanicus Nikolajev 2003: 129 (original description, type locality: “ Tajikistan, Turkestan Mountain Range, Shahriston env.”, key, distribution: Fig. 90 Nr. 4, parameres: Fig. 91 Nr. 2); Král & Nikolajev 2006: 94 (catalogue); Bagaturov & Nikolajev 2015: 312 (distribution, taxonomic note); Nikolajev et al. 2016: 50 (catalogue).

Type material examined. Lethrus (M.) shakhristanicus . Paratype ♂ with labels “ Tajikistan, [Sughd Region] Turkest [an]. khr [Mountain Range,]. env. [of] Shakhristan [= Shahriston] 26.v. 1972 g. Shukhronaev S. [leg.]” [in Russian], “Paratypus Lethrus shakhristanicus Nikolajev 2003 ” [red label] (GNPC) .

Lethrus (M.) nuratavicus . Paratypes 1 ♂ 1 ♀: “Uzb. [ekistan, Jizzax Reg.,] Nuratau [Mt. Range,] Asmansay [,] 15.v.1986 [, G.] Nikolajev [leg.]” [in Russian], “Paratypus Lethrus nuratavicus Nikolajev ” [printed red text on white paper] (GNPC) .

Additional material examined. Uzbekistan. 1 ♂: Uzbekistan, Jizzax Reg., Nuratau Mt. Range, Jangiqishlak, 24.iv.2002, O. & I. Legezin leg. (MBPC) ; 7 ♂♂ 4 ♀♀: Uzbekistan, Jizzax Reg., 28 km SW Zaamin, Malguzar Mt. Range, 39°43’12”N, 68°14’57”E, 2000 m a.s.l., 17.iv.2021, S. Dyonin & I. Dyonina leg. (ASPC) ; Kyrgyzstan. 15 ♂♂ 12 ♀♀: Kyrgyzstan, Batken Reg., Leilek Distr., 9 km S Ai-Kol, Turkestan Mt. Range, 39°43’N 69°38’E, 13.v.2016, 2100 m a.s.l. (ASPC) ; 1 ♂ 3 ♀♀: same data (MBPC) .

Diagnosis. Gena near rectangular: laterally widely truncate, anterolateral and posterolateral angles nearly right (Figs. 3, 33); gena 1.9–2.5 times as large as eye width. Punctation of head and pronotum comparatively fine and small, elytral striae thin and superficial (Fig. 3). Dorsal surface of body with faint bronze tinge, in older and abraded specimens—black. Parameres relatively narrow, sinuous along inner edge, in lateral view apically appearing acuminate (Figs. 11–12). Sclerotized apex of endophallus wide at the base, in dorsal view suboval, anteriorly with prominent spine (Fig. 24). Body length 11–18 mm.

Distribution. Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan. Central part of the Turkestan Mountain Range in northern Tajikistan and south-western Kyrgyzstan, Nuratau and Malguzar Mountain Ranges in Uzbekistan (see map, Fig. 44).

Ecology. The populations in 9 km southwards Ai-Kol and 28 km south-westwards Zaamin are inhabits steppe landscapes partly planted with local rainfed fields near beginning of the juniper belt (Figs. 46–47) at altitudes about 2000–2100 m. Studied material from another localities of the species lacks altitude data.Activity of imago is recorded from middle of April to late May. The species is occurs sympatrically with L. nuratavicus and L. microbuccis .

Notes. Among the type series of L. nuratavicus we found two paratypes (one male and one female) which are actually belongs to L. shakhristanicus because of fine punctation of head and pronotum, faint bronze tinge of dorsal surface of body and shape of the male genitalia.