Laemostenus ( Antisphodrus )

Casale, A., D. W & P, Antalya, 2012, New or little known Laemostenus species from the Near and Middle East (Coleoptera, Carabidae: Sphodrini), Linzer biologische Beiträge 44 (2), pp. 1111-1127 : 1117

Laemostenus ( Antisphodrus) of the L. esfandiarii species group (sensu CASALE 1988)

This very isolated group of Antisphodrus SCHAUFUSS 1865 was proposed by CASALE (1988) for the distinctive species L. ( A.) esfandiarii (MORVAN 1974) from northern Iran ( Elburz mountains), distinctly characterized by the peculiar combination of the following features: medium-sized (L: 12-14 mm), pigmented, black or dark brown brachypterous species, with very shiny, polished dorsal surface; head elongate, narrow, parallel-sided; eyes small, shorter than tempora; pronotum elongate-cordiform, with basal foveae and lateral furrows deeply punctate; elytra wide, ovate, very convex but with evident depression on the disc and deep, deeply punctate striae; mesosternum with reduced or absent tooth in front of mesocoxae; tarsal claws toothed in the basal half. Median lobe of aedeagus elongate and slender, slightly curved, with thickened, sub-acuminate apex.

The discovery of the new, interesting and unexpected species described here allow us to confirm the homogeneity of this previously mono-specific group, endemic so far to Northern Iran ( Māzandarān province).