Macrosaldula tadzhika (Kiritshenko, 1912)

(Figs. 32–41, 47, 48)

Material examined. AFGHANISTAN: Badakhshan: Kokschatal [= Koksha Valley], Senna, 1800 m a.s.l., 16.vii.1953, 2 ♂ 3 ♀, J. Klapperich lgt. (NMPC) . Kabul: Umgeb. v. [= environs of] Kabul, 1740 m a.s.l., 11.vii.1953, 1 ♀, J. Klapperich lgt. (NMPC); Pagmangebirge [= Paghman Mts.], 2300 m a.s.l., 25.vi.1953, 2 ♂ 10 ♀, J. Klapperich lgt. (NMPC) ; Pagman (Kaboul) [= Paghman], 17.vii.1963, 1 ♀, K. Lindberg lgt. (NMPC) . Parwan: Hindukush Mts., Salangtal [= Salang valley], Qulatak, 1950 m a.s.l., 9.x.1952, 2 ♂ 4 ♀, J. Klapperich (NMPC) ; Hindukush Mts., Ejan, Salangtal [= Salang valley], 2650 m a.s.l., 11.x.1952, 1 ♀, J. Klapperich lgt. (NMPC) ; Hindukush Mts., Aghelakan [= Aghela Khan], Salangtal [= Salang valley], 1900 m a.s.l., 12.x.1952, 3 ♂ 1 ♀, J. Klapperich (NMPC) . TAJIKISTAN: Bukhara, Khakimi, 14.vii.1912, 1 ♂, A. N. Kiritshenko lgt. (ZISP) ; Hissar Mt. Range, Gusahri, left bank of Varsob River, 21.–28.vi.1956, 1 ♂ 1 ♀, Schetkin lgt. (ZISP) . UZBEKISTAN: Gissar Mt. Range, Kyzyldarya River valley, 40 km SE Shakhrizabs, 1200 m a.s.l., 22.v.1994, 1 ♂, F. V. Konstantinov lgt. (ZISP) .

Notes. Previously, M. tadzhika was known only from the Gissar Mts. Range of the Pamir-Alai mountain system in Uzbekistan and Tajikistan (Kiritshenko 1912; Cobben 1985; Vinokurov 2014a, b). A study of the Macrosaldula material from NMPC collected in the Hindukush Mts. revealed the spread of this species in Afghanistan. In most Afghan specimens, the pattern of the light spots on the corium is the same as in individuals from the Gissar Mts (Figs. 47, 48). The genital structures of males also have similar structure: for parameres and parandria, see Figs. 36–41, and for male grasping plate, Figs. 42, 43. In some dark specimens of M. tadzhika (Figs. 32–34), the spots on the corium resemble M. indica from North India. In M. indica, the dorsal side of the body also has long erect setae, but it is more shiny, and the apex of the clavus lacks a bright spot (Figs. 44, 49–53), the paramere is also curved, but the processus sensualis is not pronounced (Fig. 54), and the parandria are also widely spaced (Fig. 55). In dark M. tadzhika, a faint narrow spot remains present at the apex of the clavus and the processus sensualis of the paramere is slightly convex (Figs. 36–38).

Distribution. West Pamiro-Alai (Tajikistan, Uzbekistan) (Vinokurov 2014a, b) and Hindukush (Afghanistan).

New record for Afghanistan.