Brachinus (Brachinoaptinus) tianshanicus tianshanicus Michailov, 1976

Brachinus (Brachinoaptinus) tianshanicus tianshanicus Michailov, 1976 View in CoL

Material: 1m: Tashkent reg., 15km E Gazalkent, Karakiyasai riv., 7.04.2002 [Karzhantau Range](cAA) ; 5m, 4f: Uzbekistan, W Tian Shan, 15km E Gazalkent, Karankulsai riv ., 1200m, 7.iv.2002, O. Legezin leg. (cAA); 3 ex: Uzbekistan, SW Ughamsky Mt. R. Nauvalysai Riv., NE Sidzhak vill., 1800- 2200, 10.05.94, I. Kabak (RSc) .

Differential diagnosis. This species ( Fig. 2 View Figs 1-3 ) can be easily distinguished from all known central-asian species with metallic elytra by its strongly reduced humera. The pronotum is slightly wider than long (Fig. 5). The differences in its shape of pronotum, mentioned in the article between the nominative subspecies and aktashiensis are not noted (Figs. 5-6). Figs 4-6. Pronotum, males. 4 – B. (B.) tashkenticus Kirschenhofer, 1986 ; 5 – B. (B.) tianshanicus s,str. Michailov, 1976; 6 – B. (B.) tianshanicus aktashiensis Kirschenhofer, 1986 (loc. Typ.).

157 Male genitalia ( Fig. 8 View Figs ). Median lobe of aedeagus with strong, almost rectangular protuberance ventro-laterally on right side

( Fig. 8b View Figs ). The tube is bent before the middle almost at a right angle. The everted endophallus is oriented perpendicular to the axis of the aedeagus ( Figs 8 View Figs c-d).

Comments. The holotype of B. tianshanicus Michailov, 1976 and few paratypes have the label “Ugam Range, 20 km N Khumsan”. On some labels cited in paper of Belousov & Kabak (1992: 341), this place is indicated as “Karzhantau Range, 20 km N Khumsan”. The village of Khumsan is located on the Ugam River, which is a watershed between the ridges Karzhantau and Ugam. Judging by the studied material, it is indeed found on both ridges. However, the locality “Nanai, or 20

158 km N Nanai, Pskem Mountain range” does not belong to the Pskem Range but also to Ugam Range. Thus, in paper of Belousov & Kabak (1992: 340) the species was incorrectly cited for Pskem Range. Specimen from “Qurama Range, Kamchik pass” included in type serie of B. tianshanicus Michailov, 1976 , probably belong to another taxon. Considering that the adults of these species are wingless and live in the alpine zone of different mountain ranges, most likely some populations are isolated, and may belong to undescribed species or subspecies.

Distribution. Ugam and Karzhantau Mountain ranges.