taxonID	type	description	language	source
03AA87A4FFDA486EFF620EC0FC0CF9DC.taxon	description	C o m m e n t: Geostiba sororcula was originally described based on four specimens from a locality in the south of Gümüşhane province and subsequently recorded also from a locality in Ardahan province, Northeast Turkey (ASSING 2001, 2003). The currently known distribution is illustrated in Map 1. The above material represents the first records from outside Turkey and from Armenia, where the species appears to be rather common at higher elevations. The altitudes of the Armenian localities range from 1870 to 2730 m. The specimens were usually sifted from litter and roots in forest margins, bush habitats (often near streams), floodplain forests, and various types of montane grassland. Interestingly, like G. circellaris, G. sororcula is wing-dimorphic: four females collected in Gavar are macropterous, whereas the remaining specimens collected by myself are micropterous. Aside from G. circellaris and G. sororcula, wing dimorphism has been observed in only three other species of the genus, G. oertzeni (EPPELSHEIM, 1888), G. maxiana (TIKHOMIROVA, 1973), and G. lucens (BENICK, 1970) (ASSING 2009, 2015).	en	Assing, Volker (2017): On the Geostiba fauna of Armenia (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Aleocharinae). Linzer biologische Beiträge 49 (2): 1075-1092, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5409928
03AA87A4FFD84868FF62094DFBE0FE1E.taxon	description	Based on available evidence, the Armenian Sibiota species are closely related (ASSING 2016 b), and they are inhabitants of the litter layer of montane forest and bush habitats. The altitudes range from 1350 to 2500 m, with the majority of specimens collected between 1700 and approximately 2100 m. Sibiota is apparently not evenly distributed in Armenia. Most of the records are from the north and from the southeast, and there are some evident gaps in the region to the west of Sevan lake and in the southwest of Armenia (Map 2). The currently known distribution basically coincides with the regions that have - or had - native forests (GHREJYAN pers. comm.). The distributions of the species from North Armenia largely overlap. However, only on one occasion were two species collected in the same sample plot. When studying the material available from the field trip in 2016 (ASSING 2016 b), a separation and identification of the Armenian Sibiota species seemed fairly straightforward. The male secondary sexual characters and the spermatheca appeared to be reliable diagnostic characters. A study of significantly more material collected in numerous additional localities in 2017, however, revealed an enormous extent of intraspecific variation particularly of the male secondary sexual characters, rendering a reliable separation and identification of the species difficult, especially when only few specimens are available. The modifications of the male tergite VII are particularly variable. Not only do they vary from completely absent (smaller males) to fully pronounced (larger males). In two species (G. pambakica, G. tigrani), which usually have a pair of carinae on the male tergite VII, these carinae may exceptionally even be completely fused and form a single tubercle similar to the typical condition in other species. Due to enormous intraspecific variability and at the same time considerable interspecific overlap, the modifications of the male elytra are unsuitable for diagnostic purposes. A reliable identification is further impeded by the uniformity and consequently low interspecific variation of the shape of the median lobe of the aedeagus. The only character that seems to be subject to distinct inter- and at the same time little intraspecific variation is the shape of the spermatheca.	en	Assing, Volker (2017): On the Geostiba fauna of Armenia (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Aleocharinae). Linzer biologische Beiträge 49 (2): 1075-1092, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5409928
03AA87A4FFD8486FFF620BB2FDFEFC96.taxon	description	C o m m e n t: The original description is based on five specimens from " Goris " and " Kafan " (PACE 1983). The type material was revised by ASSING (2005). The known records reveal that, compared to most other Tropogastrosipalia species, G. khnzoriani is relatively widespread, its distribution ranging from the environs of Goris to the mountains south of Kapan (Map 4).	en	Assing, Volker (2017): On the Geostiba fauna of Armenia (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Aleocharinae). Linzer biologische Beiträge 49 (2): 1075-1092, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5409928
03AA87A4FFDD486BFF630E95FE72FE1E.taxon	description	C o m m e n t: The previously known distribution of G. pambakica was confined to three geographically close localities in the Pambaki range. The new records show that the species is distributed northeastwards to the mountains east of Ijevan (Map 3). An examination of the material listed above revealed a remarkable intraspecific variation of the male secondary sexual characters. The pair of carinae on the male tergite VII may be completely obsolete (in small males), more or less pronounced and separated (most males), more or less distinctly connected posteriorly by a transverse bridge, or (both males from the former and one from the latter of the above localities) even be completely fused and form a single tubercle (similar to the condition in males of G. unituber). Such extreme variation was not observed in the type material. The specimens from the mountains to the east of Ijevan are additionally distinguished from those from the Pambaki range by slightly larger average size, slightly darker coloration, and on average more pronounced sutural carinae on the male elytra. However, significant differences in the primary sexual characters (Figs 1 - 13) were not observed, suggesting that the – geographically rather distant - populations from the environs of Ijevan and from the Pambaki range are conspecific.	en	Assing, Volker (2017): On the Geostiba fauna of Armenia (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Aleocharinae). Linzer biologische Beiträge 49 (2): 1075-1092, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5409928
03AA87A4FFDC486BFF62098AFD0CFB78.taxon	description	C o m m e n t: The original description of G. unicuneata is based on material from the environs of Jermuk. The above records suggest that the species is widespread in the Qarabag range (Map 3). Some of the specimens are teneral.	en	Assing, Volker (2017): On the Geostiba fauna of Armenia (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Aleocharinae). Linzer biologische Beiträge 49 (2): 1075-1092, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5409928
03AA87A4FFDC486BFF620BD5FEE4FCAC.taxon	description	C o m m e n t: This recently described species was previously known only from the type locality in the Pambaki range. The new records above reveal that G. unituber is also present in the Bazumi range to the north of the Pambaki range and in the mountains to the east of Dilijan (Map 4). In the latter locality, G. unituber was found together with G. tigrani. The primary sexual characters of the material from Pushkin pass are illustrated in Figs 14 - 20.	en	Assing, Volker (2017): On the Geostiba fauna of Armenia (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Aleocharinae). Linzer biologische Beiträge 49 (2): 1075-1092, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5409928
03AA87A4FFDC4867FF620EF0FDF5FA2E.taxon	description	E t y m o l o g y: This species is dedicated to Tigran Ghrejyan, PhD student at the Zoological Institute in Yerevan, an excellent and entertaining field guide in summer 2017. His expertise and guidance significantly contributed to the collecting results of this field trip. D e s c r i p t i o n: Body length 1.9 - 2.7 mm; length of forebody 0.8 - 1.2 mm. Coloration: body dark-yellowish to reddish-brown, with the head and the preapical abdominal segments often slightly darker. Eyes small, larger than antennomere III in cross-section, with pigmentation, and composed of approximately 6 - 10 ommatidia. Pronotum with or without a shallow longitudinal impression on either side of midline. Hind wings completely reduced. 3: elytra (Fig. 22) with pronounced, narrow, anteriorly slightly broader carina extending along whole suture, disc with usually extensive and more or less pronounced impression, punctation very fine, non-granulose; abdominal tergite VII (Fig. 23) with a pair of pronounced, rather broad, smooth, and strongly elevated carinae posteriorly; posterior margin of tergite VIII variably shaped, broadly convex to obtusely pointed in the middle; sternite VIII broadly convex; median lobe of aedeagus (Figs 24 - 30) 0.24 - 0.25 mm long, without distinct semi-transparent spines in internal sac; ventral process weakly curved in lateral view; paramere not distinctive. ♀: elytra and abdominal tergite VII without modifications; tergite VIII shaped as in male; posterior margin of sternite VIII convex, in the middle usually very shallowly concave; spermathecal capsule (Figs 31 - 38) with undilated distal portion and moderately long proximal portion. I n t r a s p e c i f i c v a r i a t i o n: The male secondary sexual characters may be reduced to various degrees in small males. In males at the very low end of the size variation, the pair of carinae on tergite VII is completely obsolete and the elytral carinae are very weakly pronounced. Remarkably, tergite VII of one male from Semyonovka has a single tubercle instead of a pair of carinae. The aedeagus of this specimen (Fig. 28), however, is identical to those of other males of G. tigrani, suggesting that they are conspecific. This conclusion is supported by an examination of the spermathecae of syntopic females, which are identical to those of G. tigrani from the type locality. This is yet another example of the variability of the modifications of the male tergite VII in Armenian Sibiota species (see also the comment in the section on G. pambakica). C o m p a r a t i v e n o t e s: Onlytwo Sibiota species with a pair of carinae on the male tergite VII were previously known from Armenia, G. pambakica ASSING, 2016 from North Armenia and G. meghruica ASSING, 2016 from South Armenia. The new species is distinguished from both by darker average coloration and the shape of the spermatheca, from G. pambakica additionally by larger eyes with more ommatidia (G. pambakica: eyes smaller and composed of approximately five ommatidia), larger average size, less sharp sutural carinae on the male elytra, more pronounced carinae on the male tergite VII, and a slightly larger aedeagus, and from G. meghruica by more pronounced sutural carinae and a slightly smaller aedeagus. For illustrations of G. pambakica and G. meghruica see Figs 1 - 13 and ASSING (2016). Figs 22 - 38: Geostiba tigrani from the type locality (22 - 26, 31 - 33), Semyonovka (27 - 28, 34 - 35; 28: male with median tubercle on tergite VII), E Dilijan (29, 36), and Kalavan (30, 37 - 38): (22) male elytra; (23) male tergite VII; (24 - 30) median lobe of aedeagus in lateral and in ventral view; (31 - 38) spermatheca. Scale bars: 22 - 23: 0.2 mm; 24 - 38: 0.1 mm. D i s t r i b u t i o n a n d n a t u r a l h i s t o r y: The currently known records suggest that G. tigrani is distributed in the mountain ranges to the north and northwest of Sevan lake (Map 3). The specimens were sifted from litter and roots in forests or forest margins with dominant oak, whitebeam, hornbeam, beech, and / or birch at altitudes of 1900 - 2100 m. In one locality to the east of Dilijan (sample locality 17), the species was collected together with S. unituber.	en	Assing, Volker (2017): On the Geostiba fauna of Armenia (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Aleocharinae). Linzer biologische Beiträge 49 (2): 1075-1092, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5409928
03AA87A4FFD74860FF620AEAFDCAFB29.taxon	description	E t y m o l o g y: The specific epithet is derived from the name of the mountain where this species was discovered. D e s c r i p t i o n: Body length 1.9 - 2.4 mm; length of forebody 0.85 - 1.00 mm. Coloration: body dark-yellowish to pale-reddish. Eyes small, with pigmentation, and composed of approximately five ommatidia. Pronotum with a shallow longitudinal impression on either side of midline. Hind wings completely reduced. 3: elytra (Fig. 39) with pronounced, narrow, anteriorly slightly broader and posteriorly sharply edged carina extending along whole suture, disc with usually extensive and more or less pronounced impression; abdominal tergite VII (Fig. 40) with a pair of moderately pronounced carinae posteriorly; posterior margins of tergite and sternite VIII broadly and weakly convex; median lobe of aedeagus (Figs 41 - 44) 0.24 mm long, without distinct semi-transparent spines in internal sac; ventral process weakly curved in lateral view; paramere not distinctive. ♀: elytra and abdominal tergite VII without modifications; tergite VIII (Fig. 45) shaped as in male; posterior margin of sternite VIII (Fig. 46) convex, in the middle usually very shallowly concave; spermathecal capsule (Figs 47 - 49) with strongly dilated distal portion and short proximal portion. I n t r a s p e c i f i c v a r i a t i o n: As in G. tigrani, the male secondary sexual characters may be reduced to various degrees in smaller males. C o m p a r a t i v e n o t e s: In external characters (coloration, body size, eye size, etc.), including the male secondary sexual characters, G. kalavanica is highly similar to G. pambakica. It is distinguished from this species above all by the strongly dilated distal portion of the spermatheca. Regarding the shape of the spermatheca, G. kalavanica is most similar to G. unituber, from which it differs by the different modifications of the male tergite VII, a slightly different shape of the median lobe of the aedeagus (lateral view), and a slightly shorter proximal portion of the spermatheca. D i s t r i b u t i o n a n d n a t u r a l h i s t o r y: The type locality is situated near Kalavan village in Kalavan mountain, to the north of the northwestern tip of Sevan lake (Map 4). The specimens were sifted from litter and roots on a calcareous south slope with oak forest at an altitude of 1700 m. The head of one of the males from the type locality is infested with Laboulbeniales.	en	Assing, Volker (2017): On the Geostiba fauna of Armenia (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Aleocharinae). Linzer biologische Beiträge 49 (2): 1075-1092, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5409928
03AA87A4FFD74863FF620F06FC06FF2C.taxon	description	E t y m o l o g y: The specific epithet (Latin, adjective: unmodified) alludes to the absence of carinae or tubercles on the male sternite VII. D e s c r i p t i o n: Body length 2.0 - 2.7 mm; length of forebody 0.9 - 1.0 mm. Coloration: body yellowish-brown to pale reddish-brown. Eyes small, with pigmentation, and composed of approximately five ommatidia. Pronotum without longitudinal impression on either side of midline. Hind wings completely reduced. 3: elytra (Fig. 50) without sutural carina, with or without some granules along suture; abdominal tergite VII without modifications; posterior margins of tergite and sternite VIII broadly and weakly convex; median lobe of aedeagus (Figs 51 - 54) 0.24 - 0.25 mm long, without distinct semi-transparent spines in internal sac; ventral process weakly curved in lateral view; paramere not distinctive. ♀: elytra without modifications; tergite VIII shaped as in male; posterior margin of sternite VIII (Fig. 55) broadly and weakly convex, in the middle usually truncate to very shallowly concave; spermathecal capsule (Figs 56 - 58) with undilated distal portion and short and twisted proximal portion. C o m m e n t: The elytra are modified (with granules near suture) only in one of the three males. Since only three males are available, the possibility that there may be males with more pronounced elytral modifications, possibly even with modifications on the abdominal tergite VII, cannot be ruled out. Based on the similar primary sexual characters, G. immutata is clearly closely allied to the other Armenian Sibiota species, suggesting that the absence of carinae or tubercles on the male tergite VII is a secondary reduction. Consequently, the species is attributed to the subgenus Sibiota and not to Sipalotricha SCHEERPELTZ, 1931. C o m p a r a t i v e n o t e s: Geostiba immutata is readily distinguished from other Armenian Sibiota species by the absence of sutural carinae on the male elytra, by the unmodified male tergite VII, and by the shape of the spermatheca. D i s t r i b u t i o n a n d n a t u r a l h i s t o r y: The type locality is situated in the northeastern part of the Barkushati range, to the southeast of Tatev and approximately 18 km south of Goris (Map 3). The specimens were sifted from litter and roots in a deciduous forest composed of oak, hornbeam, and maple at an altitude of 1950 m.	en	Assing, Volker (2017): On the Geostiba fauna of Armenia (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Aleocharinae). Linzer biologische Beiträge 49 (2): 1075-1092, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5409928
03AA87A4FFD44863FF620828FE29FD11.taxon	description	C o m m e n t: The above female may represent yet another undescribed species. Additional material, in particular males, would be needed to ascertain its identity. The locality is illustrated in Map 3.	en	Assing, Volker (2017): On the Geostiba fauna of Armenia (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Aleocharinae). Linzer biologische Beiträge 49 (2): 1075-1092, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5409928
03AA87A4FFD44863FF620B0AFE29FE33.taxon	description	C o m m e n t: Based on the shape of the spermatheca (Fig. 21), the above females represent an undescribed species, which remains undescribed for want of males. The locality is illustrated in Map 3.	en	Assing, Volker (2017): On the Geostiba fauna of Armenia (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Aleocharinae). Linzer biologische Beiträge 49 (2): 1075-1092, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5409928
