Geostiba (Tropogastrosipalia) armata (EPPELSHEIM, 1878)

Assing, Volker, 2017, A revision of Geostiba of the West Palaearctic region. XXV. New species from Georgia and Greece, and additional records (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Aleocharinae), Linzer biologische Beiträge 49 (2), pp. 1093-1106 : 1094

Geostiba (Tropogastrosipalia) armata (EPPELSHEIM, 1878)

M a t e r i a l e x a m i n e d: Greece:1333, 10 ♀♀, Fthiótida, Oros Óthris, 39°03'N, 22°36'E, 1620 m, plateau with Salix and Juniperus, grass roots sifted, 7.IV.2017, leg. Schülke (MNB).

C o m m e n t: Geostiba armata is by far the most widespread representative of the subgenus in Greece, its previously known distribution ranging from the northern Pindos southeastwards to Kato Olympos and Oros Ossa, Thessalía. The above material represents the first record from Oros Óthris and Fthióida. It is distinguished from other propulations by darker average coloration, an on average broader body, coarser punctation of the male elytra, an on average larger spine on the male tergite VII, and a slightly larger (more dagger-shaped) cristal process of the aedeagus. However, I have been unable to find any discrete differences suggesting that the population from Oros Óthris should represent a distinct species.