Sunius fallax ( LOKAY 1919)

Assing, V. & A, North, 2008, A revision of the Sunius species of the Western Palaearctic region and Middle Asia (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Paederinae), Linzer biologische Beiträge 40 (1), pp. 5-135 : 20-23

4.2. Sunius fallax ( LOKAY 1919) ( Map 4 )

Medon fallax LOKAY 1919: 22 .

T y p e m a t e r i a l e x a m i n e d:seeASSING (1995).

C o m m e n t: The type material of S. fallax was studied by GUSAROV (1994) and ASSING (1995). GUSAROV (1994) designated a lectotype.

A d d i t i o n a l m a t e r i a l e x a m i n e d: Austria: B u r g e n l a n d: 1 ex., Leithagebirge, leg. Franz (NHMW); 1 ex., Neusiedlersee , leg. Franz ( NHMW) ; 13 exs., Zurndorf , leg. Franz ( NHMW, cAss) ; 2 exs., Weiden am See, flood debris, 7.IV.1991, leg. Sprick (cAss). Slovakia: 1 ex., Trebišov env., 19.IV.1997, leg. Smatana (cSch) ; 1 ex., Malá Bara env., 7.IV.2001, leg. Smatana (cSch) ; 1 ex., Štúrovo , IV.1985 (cSch) ; 1 ex., Král. Chlmec , 22.VII.1954, leg. Smetana (cBoh) ; 2 exs., same locality, 22.IV.1955 (cBoh) ; 1 ex., Želiozovce, 29.IV.1979, leg. Adámek (cBoh). Hungary: 1♀, Bugac National Park , grassland, pitfall, 26.VIII.1987, leg. Gallé (cAss) ; 1 ex., Hortobágy N. P., Egyek , 22.-23.X.1975, leg. Hámori ( HNHM) ; 1 ex., Makó , 4.III.1902 ( HNHM) ; 1 ex., Pinnye , leg. Streda ( HNHM) ; 1 ex., Vértes h.[Mts.], Mária-szakad [ék], 24.III.1961, leg. Endrödy-Y. ( HNHM) ; 1 ex., Vértes h. [Mts.], Csákvár , 24.III.1961, leg. Endrödy- Y. ( HNHM) ; 1 ex., Debrecen, 1935, leg. Rostkowicz ( HNHM) ; 1 ex., Budapest, Hajógyári sziget, Peregi ( HNHM) ; 1 ex., Pápa , 1898, leg. Wachsmann ( HNHM) ; 1 ex., Mohács , 1904, leg. Kaufmann ( HNHM) ; 1 ex., Villányi h. [Mts.], Villány , 19.IV.1994, leg. Renner (cRen) ; 1 ex., Tiszacsege , car-net. 11.VII.2001, leg Renner (cRen). Romania: 1 ex., Sibiu, hollow tree, 23.IV.2003, leg. Vít (cAss) ; 1 ex., Sibiu, leg. Kuthy ( HNHM) ; 1 ex., Comana Vlasca , leg. Montandon ( HNHM) ; 1 ex., Apuseni mts., Cluj county, Cheile Turzii [= Cheile gorges], 29.IV.1962, leg. Comellini ( MHNG) ; 1 ex., M.-bagó [ Magyarbagó = Bǎgǎu], Nagy Ignác ( HNHM). Slovenia: 1 ex., Maribor, leg. Lang ( MHNG) ; 1 ex., Ljubliana, Zg. Kašeli, 16.V.1996, leg. Drovenik (cAss). Croatia: 1 ex., Draga river , leg. Padewieth ( HNHM) ; 3 exs., Ludbreg , leg. Apfelbeck ( HNHM) ; 1 ex., Vinkovci ( DEI). Bosnia-Herzegovina: 1 ex., Mostar (cAss) ; 1 ex., Derventa ( HNHM) ; 7 exs., locality not specified ( HNHM) ; 2 exs., Bosna valley , VIII.1900, leg. Leonhard ( DEI) ; 3 exs., Velež planina, 1900, leg. Leonhard ( DEI) ; 1 ex., Trebinje , 1903, leg. Leonhard ( DEI) ; 1 ex., locality illegible, 6.VII. [year illegible] (cBoh). Macedonia: 1 ex., Skopje , 26.V.-5.VI.1955, leg. Schubert (cAss) ; 1 ex., Skopje env., Matka, bank of Treska river , 18.V.1980, leg. Hieke ( MNHUB). Montenegro: 4 exs., Herzeg-Novi, leg. Paganetti ( DEI). Yugoslavia: 1 ex., Serbia, Dečani , 1916, leg. Csiki ( HNHM) ; 1 ex., Serbia, Kragujevac, 28.IX.1941 (cBoh). Albania: 3♀♀, Vlorâ [" Avlona "], leg. v. Oertzen ( MNHUB). Bulgaria: 1 ex., Stara planina, Babin Nos, N Rakovischki Manastir, 43°46'N, 22°45'E, 585 m, Tilia forest , 15.V.1006, leg. Zerche & Behne ( DEI) ; 1 ex., Stara planina, 5 km S Ribaritza, 42°45'N ; 24°23'E, 750 m, beech forest, 7.VI.1997, leg. Zerche & Behne ( DEI) ; 1 ex., Stara planina, Dolno Sachrane , G. Dimitroff reservoir, 18.V.1984, leg. Wrase (cSch) ; 3 exs., Primorsko , 16.IX.1977, leg. Hieke & Uhlig ( MNHUB, cAss) ; 17 ex., Mičurin , 18.IX.1977, leg. Hieke & Uhlig ( MNHUB, cAss) ; 3 ex., 2 km S Mičurin, bank of canal, Typha-Phragmites vegetation, 29.-30.VI.1979, leg. Hieke & Uhlig ( MNHUB) ; 1 ex., 5 km W Jasna Poljana [= Yasna Polyana], bank of Ropotamo river , 17.IX.1977, leg. Hieke & Uhlig ( MNHUB) ; 1 ex., Rupito env., near General Todorov , 22.-23.IV.1984, leg. Hieke ( MNHUB) ; 1 ex., Sofia, 16.-22.VII.1984, leg. Opitz ( MNHUB) ; 1 ex., Burgas, Sozopol , 3.V.1987, leg. Heinig (cSch) ; 1 ex., Kranevo , 16.IX.1966, leg. Nohel ( MHNG) ; 3 exs., " Rhodope ", 1911, leg. Hilf ( DEI) ; 1 ex., Plovdiv, Skobelevo [42°05'N, 25°22'E], X.1967 ( MHNG) ; 1 ex., Plovdiv, 12.VII.1987, leg. Arnold (cSch) ; 3 exs., Sandanski Struma , 10.VI.1983, leg Behne (cSch) ; 1 ex., Sandanski , VII.1985, leg. Schülke (cSch) ; 2 exs., Sandanski , 6.-11.V.1984, leg. Wrase (cSch) ; 2 exs., Pomorie env., V.1985, leg. Wrase (cSch) ; 1 ex., Melnik , 29.IV.1985, leg. Wrase (cSch) ; 1 ex. [macropterous], Arbutino [?], VI.1976, leg. Visa (cBoh). Greece: m a i n l a n d: 8 exs., Thessalia, NE Ossa Oros, Stómio, 39°55'N, 22°41'E, floodplain forest, 5.IV.1998, leg Assing, Schülke, Wunderle (cAss, cSch, cWun). 1 ex., Fthiotis, SSE Lamia , Oros Kallidromo , 38°45'N, 22°28'E, fir forest, 940 m, 6.IV.2001, leg. Assing (cAss) ; 3 exs., Chalkidiki, Kassandra, Polichoron , under stone, 20.III.1989, leg. Assing (cAss) ; 1 ex., Kassandra, Polichoron , 26.III.1989, leg. Assing (cAss) ; 3 exs., Nomós Xanthi, Néstos delta, near Toxotes , 25.IV.1994, leg. Schawaller ( SMNS, cAss) ; 1 ex., Attica, Pireás ( MHNG). P e l o p ó n n i s o s: 2exs.,15kmSEEgio, Diafkoto , 0-200 m, 26.III.-3.IV.1997, leg. Assing (cAss) ; 1 ex., Pelopónnisos, Patras , olive grove, 29.III.1986, leg. Assing (cAss) ; 1 ex., Erimanthos, above Kalendzi , 37°57'N, 21°47'E, 1500 m, 27.III.1997, leg. Assing (cAss) ; 1 ex., Meligalas, Derveni , 600 m, 26.III.1992, leg. Frisch ( MNHUB) ; 1 ex., 30 km N Pirgos, Koúmanis, 37°47'N, 21°45'E, 630 m, oak forest with Erica , 31.III.1997, leg. Zerche ( DEI) ; 1 ex., Agios Vlassos , leg. Brenske ( SMNS) ; 3 exs., Olympia : O. Alfios, 7.IX.1995, leg. Zoia (cZan) ; 1 ex., Taygetos, Kalamata, Elehohori , 600 m, 4.IV.1989, leg. Daccordi (cZan) ; 1 ex., locality not specified (cBoh). Z a k i n t h o s: 2♀♀, Kalamaki, 1909, leg. Hilf ( DEI). C r e t e: 3 exs., Omalos , 17.III.1976, leg. Meybohm & Fülscher (cAss) ; 1 ex. [macropterous], W-Crete, Lefka Ori, Prases , pine litter and moss, 13.X.1991, leg. Wunderle (cWun) ; 10 exs. [macropterous], W-Crete, Elos , 300 m, chestnut litter, 7.X.1991, leg. Wunderle (cWun) ; 1 ex., SE Réthimno, Moni Arkadiou , 3.VII.1978, leg. Tronquet (cTro) ; 4 exs., Damnoni near Plakiás , VII.1978, leg. Tronquet (cTro) ; 1 ex., Plakias , 31.III.1988, leg. Winkelmann-Klöck (cSch) ; 5 exs., Vrisses , 50 m, stream bank, 12.VI.2002, leg. Feldmann (cFel) ; 2 exs., Amari , 4.VII.1906, leg. Biró ( HNHM) ; 3 exs., Chania, Kavallos , 1.-3.VI.1981, leg. Mühle ( MNHUB, cAss) ; 1 ex., Anogia , 14.III.1973, leg. Fülscher & Meybohm ( MHNG) ; 1 ex., locality not specified, leg. Paganetti ( NHMW). Moldavia: 1 ex., Slobodzeya env., VIII.1983, leg. Arnold (cSch). Ukraine: 3 exs., Odessa, Beresovka, Beresovka forest , 14.X.2003, leg. Gontarenko (cAss) ; 2 exs., Crimea, Simferopol, Krasnolesye , 4.VIII.1986, leg. Gusarov (cTro) ; 4 exs., Crimea, Iaila range, leg. Winkler ( DEI, HNHM, cAss) ; 2 exs., Iaila range, "Ai-Petr.", 1300 m, 2.VI.1983 (cBoh) ; 1♀, Crimea, upper course of Uzundzha river , 700 m, beech forest, 25.VII.2001, leg. Koval (cAss) ; 1 ex., Baidar "Tbo", leg. Knirsch ( SMNS) ; 1 ex., Voroshilovgrad area, Stanichno-Lugansky State Reserve, near Kondrashevka , floodland oak forest, 11.-13.VI.1989, leg. Golovatch & Penev ( SMNS). Turkey: see ASSING (2005a). Russian Federation: 1 ex., Krasnodar, Mt. Sober near Ubinskaja , 600 m, 5.-7.VI.1989, leg. Arndt (cAss) ; 1 ex., Stavropol, 3 km E Zheleznovodsk [44°08'N, 43°01'E], mixed deciduous forest near stream, 30.V.1982, leg. Golovatch (cBoh) ; 1 ex., Stavropol, E Novopavlovsk, mixed deciduous forest near stream, 28.V.1982, leg. Golovatch

(cAss); 2 exs., Stavropol, E Georgievsk, mixed deciduous forest, 28./ 31.V.1982, leg. Golovatch (cBoh, cAss) ; 3 exs., N-Ossetia, 10 km NW Mozdok, Acacia hedge at field margin, litter, 28.V.1982, leg. Golovatch (cBoh) .

D i a g n o s i s: In external morphology highly similar to S. melanocephalus , wing-dimorphic, distinguished only by the – on average – slightly larger and broader body and especially by the male primary and secondary sexual characters.

3: sternite VIII with shallow posterior excision, in median area with cluster of dense dark modified setae; aedeagus as figured by ASSING (1995).

D i s t r i b u t i o n a n d b i o n o m i c s: Based on the material examined, the species is distributed from the southeast of Central Europe (with the northwesternmost records from southeastern Austria and from Slovakia), to southeastern Europe (including Ukraine and Crete), northwestern Turkey, and the Caucasus region ( Map 4 ). This distribution is difficult to categorise according to LATTIN (1967). The absence from most of Turkey does not support a ponto-Mediterranean distribution, nor does the presence in southern Greece (including Crete) suggest a Caspian glacial refuge. The species is here reported from Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, Montenegro, and Albania for the first time. It is not listed for Austria, Ukraine, and the Western Caucasus region by SMETANA (2004), although it was reported from there several times (e. g. GONTARENKO 2003; GUSAROV 1989; HORION 1965; SOLODOVNIKOV 1998) and although the types of the junior synonym S. austriacus ( COIFFAIT 1961) are from Austria. In addition to the Burgenland, HORION (1965) reports the species from the Austrian provinces Niederösterreich, Steiermark, and Kärnten, but I have seen only S. melanocephalus from there. Recently, it was for the first time recorded from Ukraine by GUSAROV (1989), from Romania by STAN (2006), and from Turkey by ASSING (2005a). For additional records see ASSING (1995), BOHÁČ (1985), GONTARENKO (2003), SMETANA (1964), and SOLODOVNIKOV (1998). Owing to the misinterpretation of the species by COIFFAIT (1970, 1984), which is identical to S. melanocephalus anatolicus (see GUSAROV 1994 and ASSING 1995), literature data before the mid-1990s are generally unreliable, except for some articles giving illustrations of the aedeagus.

The species is wing-dimorphic, which explains its rather extensive range of distribution. Almost all the specimens seen from Crete, Zakinthos, and the Pelopónnisos are macropterous, whereas in the remainder of the distribution the vast majority of specimens is brachypterous.

Like S. melanocephalus , S. fallax inhabits a wide range of habitats, but was often found also in forested biotopes. The material examined was collected in various types of forests (beech, oak, chestnut, lime, fir, mixed deciduous forests, floodplain forests), often near rivers and streams. In addition, it has been taken in olive groves, in fields, montane grassland, in a hollow tree, on or near the banks of rivers and canals, and on lakeshores, repeatedly in flood debris (especially in later winter and early spring; see also HORION (1965) and SMETANA (1964)). The species has been collected with pitfall traps, by sifting leaf litter, by turning stones, and on one occasion with a car-net (July). The vast majority of records are from low and intermediate elevations; once it was found at 1500 m ( Greece).

The material examined was found from March through October, with a minimum in October: March (13 records/ 17 specimens); April (14/25); May (10/14); June (10/20); July (11/15); August (5/7); September (6/26); October (5/16). HORION (1965) also reports records from February.

Figures

Map 4: Distribution of Sunius fallax (LOKAY) in the Western Palaearctic region, based on examined records.