Carabus (Neoplectes) prunierianus Deuve, 2012

Fominykh, Dmitriy D. & Zamotajlov, Alexandr S., 2016, Further contribution to the knowledge of Georgian species of the Carabus Linnaeus, 1758 subgenus Neoplectes Reitter, 1885, with description of a new subspecies of C. titarenkoi Zamotajlov & Fominykh, 2014 (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Carabini), Zootaxa 4179 (3), pp. 561-599 : 567

Carabus (Neoplectes) prunierianus Deuve, 2012 , stat. resurr.

( Figs. 56–61 , 159–168 , 211 )

Material. 3♂♂, Georgia, Mtskheti-Mtianeti , 2.5 km NE of Passanauri vill., Mtiuleti – Gudamakari Mt. Range, right bank of Black Aragvi, 1152 m, N 42°21' / E 44°43', pitfall traps, 3.04.-2.06.2015, (D. Fominykh & A. Zubov) ( CFDD, CTAY) ; 5♂♂, 1♀, Georgia, Mtskheti-Mtianeti, W slopes of Kartli Mt. Range near Magaroskari vill., 966 m, N 42°15' / E 44°51', pitfall traps, 3.04-2.06.2015l (D. Fominykh & A. Zubov) ( CFDD, CTAY) .

Distribution and habitat. Described from Gombori mountains (“Oudjarma”). We collected this form at the left bank of the Aragvi river in the Mtiuleti, Gudamakari and Kartli mountains above 900 m (not observed lower), probably the easternmost localities for the subgenus Neoplectes . Thus the species inhabits the left bank of the Aragvi river eastwards to the Kartli mountains.

Remarks. Described as a subspecies of C. ibericus . Based on the structure of the endophallus, we found consistent differences of this taxon from C. ibericus . All populations inhabiting the right bank of the Aragvi river and Tsivi-Gombori mountains were earlier assigned to the latter species. The shape of the endophallus strongly resembles that of C. titarenkoi , however both species are strongly different in several features. Furthermore, their distribution ranges are separated by lengthy mountain systems populated by several other forms possessing quite different structures of endophallus (see fig. 1). As already observed in some other Carabus subgenera distributed in the Caucasus (e.g. Tribax , s. Gottwald 1980), similar morphological features were recorded from the extremities of the group’s ranges, reflecting probably convergences.

We resurrect the specific status of this form based on consistent differences in external morphology and male genitalia structure between C. prunierianus and C. ibericus (see identification key and illustrations below).

Figures

FIGURE 211. Habitat of Carabus prunierianus Deuve, Georgia, Passanauri env., 1150 m.

FIGURES 56 – 61. Dorsal habitus of Carabus prunierianus Deuve: 56 – 59 — Magaroskari env.; 60 – 61 — Passanauri env. Scale bar 10.0 mm.

FIGURES 159 – 164. Apical portion of aedeagus and fully inflated endophallus preparation of Carabus prunierianus Deuve, Magaroskari env.: 159 – 161 — right lateral view; 162 – 164 — dorsolateral view. Scale bar 10.0 mm.

FIGURES 165 – 168. Apical portion of aedeagus a and fully inflated endophallus preparation of Carabus prunierianus Deuve, Passanauri env.: 165 – 166 — right lateral view; 167 – 168 — dorsolateral view. Scale bar 10.0 mm.