TRECHUS (TRECHUS) NEZLOBINSKYI, A NEW HIGH-ALTITUDE GROUND BEETLE SPECIES FROM THE REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA (COLEOPTERA: CARABIDAE: TRECHINAE)

Slavčo Hristovski

doi:10.37828/em.2014.1.24

Abstract

Trechus (Trechus) nezlobinskyi sp. n. is described from a high-altitude area of Jablanica Mt. (southwest Republic of Macedonia). The new species belongs to the “obtusiusculus” group of species and it is treated as most closely related to Trechus (Trechus) ravasinianus Lorenz, 1998 from Central Albania. The diagnostic characters of the new species are described and illustrated.

Highlights

The nominotypical subgenus of genus Trechus Clairville, 1806 counts over 850 species worldwide (Avone 2014), with cca. 80 taxa (66 species) known from the Balkan Peninsula arranged in several species groups (Moravec et al 2003; Lebenbauer 2004; Ollivier et al 2008; Guéorguiev and Hristovski 2010)
The re-examination of the male specimen of the latter taxon in 2012 revealed that it belongs to a new species for science from the “obtusiusculus” species group
Etymology The new species is named after Dr Nikola Antonovich Nezlobinsky (1885-1942), a Russian, medical doctor who fought against malaria, parasitologist, nature lover and collectioner who established the natural history museum in the town of Struga (Republic of Macedonia) in 1937

Summary

Introduction

The nominotypical subgenus of genus Trechus Clairville, 1806 counts over 850 species worldwide (Avone 2014), with cca. 80 taxa (66 species) known from the Balkan Peninsula arranged in several species groups (Moravec et al 2003; Lebenbauer 2004; Ollivier et al 2008; Guéorguiev and Hristovski 2010). 80 taxa (66 species) known from the Balkan Peninsula arranged in several species groups (Moravec et al 2003; Lebenbauer 2004; Ollivier et al 2008; Guéorguiev and Hristovski 2010). The species of the “obtusiusculus” group prefer limestone areas and highaltitude regions. Their body features (absence of wings, presence of small eyes, depigmentation) and ecological preferences (active at constant humidity and lower temperatures, low food requirements) led to geographic isolation and speciation on the high Balkan mountains (Jeannel 1927; Guéorguiev and Hristovski 2010). In June 2013 five more specimens (4♂ and 1♀) were collected which enabled me the description of the new Trechus species from the Republic of Macedonia

Material and Methods

A NEW HIGH-ALTITUDE TRECHUS FROM MACEDONIA