A New Iason Species from Crete (Coleoptera, Carabidae, Anillini) with Notes about Anillini of Greece and Anatolia

Abstract

Iason assingi n. sp. from the island of Crete (Greece) is described. A synopsis of the Anillini fauna of the Balkan Peninsula and Anatolia is provided. Faunistic, phylogenetic, and zoogeographic implications are discussed. Prioniomus (21 species), Winklerites (21 species), Dicropterus (1), Parvocaecus (5), Caecoparvus (23) and Iason (10 species) make up the East Mediterranean Anillini fauna. The palaeogeographic situation of this area is discussed with attention to the current distribution of the different species and genera of Anillini. In particular, the presence and possible impact that the presence of a “Transaegean Furrow” may have had on the current distribution of these tiny ground beetles are discussed.