Abstract
Simple SummaryKnowing the correct names of animal species is especially important nowadays; information is posted on the internet, and is available by using keywords. To establish the valid species and subspecies names, it is necessary to research a large amount of material and literature. Of particular importance is the study of type specimens—that is, those specimens for which the names were first established. In the subgenus Metallotimarcha, of the leaf-beetle genus Timarcha, the external structure of beetles and the shape of the male aedeagus do not allow precise identification of the species. The search for new characters has led to the need to study the internal structure of the male aedeagus. As a result, clear species boundaries of T. metallica, T. corinthia, and T. hummelii have been found. It was established that T. armeniaca and T. hummelii starcki are the synonyms of T. hummelii hummelii.A comparative morphological study of the members of the subgenus Metallotimarcha revealed that Caucasian Timarcha hummelii is a separate species, which differs from European members of the subgenus (T. metallica, T. corinthia, T. gibba) by the internal structure of male aedeagus, namely, manubrium of the endophallus. Morphology of manubrium is described for all species of the subgenus. External characters and the shape of male aedeagus do not permit separating the members of the subgenus distinctly. Examination of both external characters and endophallus structure in the specimens from the Caucasus revealed that T. armeniaca and T. hummelii starcki are the synonyms of T. hummelii hummelii, but not separate species or subspecies. Neotypes of T. hummelii and T. armeniaca are designated. Syntypes of T. hummelii starcki are examined. The key to the species for the subgenus Metallotimarcha is compiled.
Highlights
A new genus-group name Timarcha was originally published by Samouelle [1]
Timarcha corinthia sharply differs from T. metallica and T. hummelii in the presence of color 3 in all studied individuals, but due to the presence of this color in a small proportion in T. hummelii and T. metallica, there is no clear interspecific difference
Timarcha corinthia sharply differs from T. metallica and T. hummelii due to the predominance of puncture state 6; due to the presence of this state in a small proportion in T. hummelii and T. metallica, there is no clear interspecific difference
Summary
A new genus-group name Timarcha was originally published by Samouelle [1]. Samouelle [1] proposed the name Timarcha without a description, but with the available specific name Chrysomela tenebricosa Linnaeus clearly included under it. The name Timarcha Samouelle, 1819 is available [5] (Art. 12.2.5). The subgenus Metallotimarcha Motschulsky, 1860 of the genus Timarcha Samouelle 1819 was originally described by Motschulsky [6] as a genus with the type species Chrysomela metallica Laicharting, 1781 by the original designation. The type species, Timarcha metallica, originally published as Chrysomela metallica Laicharting, 1781, is a primary junior homonym of Chrysomela metallica DeGeer, 1778 [7,8]. Chrysomela metallica Laicharting was combined with the generic name Timarcha at least since Herrich-Schaeffer [9], and Chrysomela metallica DeGeer was remained in the genus Chrysomela, presently Chrysolina Motschulsky, 1860. According to [5] (Art. 23.9.5), the case should be referred to the Commission for a ruling under the plenary power; prevailing usage of both names is to be maintained
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