Graphipterus mauretensis Renan & Assmann

Renan, Ittai, Assmann, Thorsten & Freidberg, Amnon, 2018, Taxonomic revision of the Graphipterusserrator (Forskal) group (Coleoptera, Carabidae): an increase from five to 15 valid species, ZooKeys 753, pp. 23-82 : 39

Graphipterus mauretensis Renan & Assmann sp. n. Figs 9e, 16, 22b

Types.

Holotype: ♂ (White label with pencil handwritten) <luctuosus/(uc)>. (White label with black typewritten and handwritten): <OFFICE NATIONAL ANTIACRIDIEN/Azefal Mauritania/13 Fevirer 1950/J. Leroux>. (red label): <Holotype> (ae). Deposited in Colas collection, NHMB.

Paratypes: (3 ♂, 1♀), Azefal Mauritania: 13 Fevrier 1950, J. Leroux (♂) (NHMB, Colas collection): Mauritanie [Mauritania]: Chingvetti, 3.1951, L. Dekeyser and A. Villiers (2♂ (1-ae), ♀) (MRAC).

Diagnosis.

Medium-sized species with (18-) 22 white, mostly elongated spots on elytra, anterior and posterior spots larger than other spots; six marginal extensions, extension I usually triangular. Median lobe of aedeagus with short apex unbent ventrally (somewhat similar to that of G. barthelemyi ).

Comparisons.

Graphipterus mauretensis sp. n. resembles G. piniamitaii sp. n., from which it differs mainly by the following characters: G. mauretensis sp. n.: (18-) 22 spots on elytra; anterior and posterior elytral spots larger than all other spots; apical sinuation and apex developed and slightly protruded; median lobe of aedeagus with short bent tip. G. piniamitaii sp. n.: 24 spots on elytra; only posterior elytral spots larger than all other spots; apical sinuation and apex strongly developed and protruded; median lobe of aedeagus with ventrally bent tip.

Description.

BL male: 15.1-17.5 mm, average 16.6 ± 1.1 mm. Females were not available.

Head medium; HW/PW: 0.76; EYL: 1.3-1.5 mm; EYL/EL: 0.16. Mentum with two teeth (cf. Fig. 3b). Frontal ridge reduced. In male, apical white frons stripes wider than exposed frons (cf. Fig. 4b).

Pronotum cordiform; PL/PW: 0.66; BPW/PW: 0.63; posteriomedially concave and without white margin; white lateral margin as wide as antennomeres I+II long.

Elytra relatively elongated oval humeri slightly narrowed; EL: 8.6-9.7 mm, average 9.2 mm; EW: 6.8-8.0 mm, average 7.4 mm; EL/EW: 1.2. Lateral cross section quite flat. Dense black scales, disc not visible between them (Fig. 6a). White lateral margin as wide as half of antennomere I long and with six extensions; extension I triangular; extension II shorter than extension III. White posterior margin as wide as lateral margin, sutural gap slenderer than lateral margin. Disc usually with 18-22 rounded to elongate spots; anterior spot elongated, as wide as extension I, anterior and posterior spots larger than all other ones, posterior one rounded. Apical sinuation developed, apex slightly protruded, strongly rounded (Fig. 7b). Suture conspicuous.

Legs long; MTIL: 5.3-5.9 mm, average 5.7 mm; El/MTIL: 1.61. Metatibial secondary spur brown at base, MTAL: 3.8-4.5 mm, average 4.2 mm; MTAL/MTIL: 0.74. Claws of hind legs brown at base.

Median lobe of aedeagus with short apex, unbent ventrally (Fig. 9e).

Etymology.

The species name is derived from ancient Latin (Mauretania, -ensis).

Habitat.

Unknown.

Co-occurring species.

No co-occurring species.

Distribution.

As we found in all collections only nine specimens of G. mauretensis sp. n., our knowledge of its distribution range is limited. Known from central coast of Mauritania to more than 400 km inland to Glebat el M’Boza Adrar (Fig. 16).

Conservation.

Unknown.