Brachinus ( Brachinoaptinus ) tashkenticus Kirschenhofer, 1986

Brachinus ( Brachinoaptinus) tashkenticus Kirschenhofer, 1986 View in CoL status rest.

(loc. Typ.: Cimgan, 2400m [Chimgan Mt.])

Material: 6m, 5f: Uzbekistan, Chatkal Mt. Rng., Aksay riv., snow spot, 41°30’46.0N 70°02’32.9E GoogleMaps , 2200m, 9- 10.8.2021, Anichtchenko A. Leg. (cAA, DUBC); 1 ex: Uzbekistan, Chimgan , Tien-Shan Occid., 10.V.1992, Karasjov (RSc); 2 ex: Uzbekistan, Tashkent env., E slope of B. Tshimgan Mt., 13-16.V. 1993, Kabak & Molchanov (RSc); 2 ex: W. Tien Shan , 2200m, NW part of Chatkal ridge, Tashkent env., Chimgan, J. Kalab leg. 25- 27.7.1990 (RSc)

Differential diagnosis. This species can be easily distinguished from all known central

156 asian species of the subgenus by the combinaton of the following features: very small body size 4.6-5.4 mm, dark brown elytra (sometimes with very weak bluish reflexion), slender legs, very long antennae and elongate, very sparsely punctate pronotum ( Figs. 1 View Figs 1-3 , 4). The only other known unicolored species B. ( Brachinoaptinus) kryzhanovskii Belousov & Kabak, 1992 (Valley of the Karakuldzha) shows upperside entirely dark blackish and it has a larger body size 7.1-8.5 mm. The two other known taxa B. ( Brachinoaptinus) tianshanicus Michailov, 1976 s.str. and B. ( Brachinoaptinus) tianshanicus aktashiensis Kirschenhofer, 1986 are bicolored, with the head and pronotum reddish and elytra bright blue or green.

Male genitalia. ( Fig. 7 View Figs ) Median lobe of aedeagus with rounded protuberance ventrally on right side ( Fig. 7b View Figs ). The tube is bent before the middle at an obtuse angle. The everted endophallus is almost parallel to the axis of the aedeagus ( Figs 7 View Figs c-e).

Distribution. Chimgan mountain (Chatkal Mountain range).