Taxonomic revision of the Graphipterus serrator (Forskål) group (Coleoptera, Carabidae): an increase from five to 15 valid species

Abstract

The south-west Palaearctic Graphipterusserrator group is revised. The systematic concept of the G.serrator group has undergone many changes during the last two centuries, and several different classifications have been published in recent decades. Here, the numerical taxonomy approach is used with the morphological characterization similarity level of the sympatric taxa in order to delimit allopatrically occurring taxa at the species and subspecies level. A key to the species and distribution maps are provided along with analyses of the conservation status and habitat preferences of the taxa. The Graphipterusserrator group currently comprises 16 taxa. Five new species are described: Graphipterusmagnus Renan & Assmann, sp. n., Graphipterusmauretensis Renan & Assmann, sp. n., Graphipteruspiniamitaii Renan & Freidberg, sp. n., Graphipterussharonae Renan & Assmann, sp. n., and Graphipterusstagonopsis Renan & Assmann, sp. n. In addition, five taxa are revalidated to full species status: Graphipterusheydeni Kraatz, 1890, stat. rest. (lectotype designated), Graphipterusmultiguttatus (Olivier, 1790), stat. rest. (lectotype designated), Graphipteruspeletieri Laporte de Castelnau, 1840, stat. rest. (the frequently used name lepeletieri is an error), Graphipterusrotundatus Klug, 1832, stat. rest. (lectotype designated), and Graphipterusvaldanii Guérin-Méneville, 1859 stat. rest., and a full species status is proposed for Graphipterusreymondi Antoine, 1953, stat. n. One new synonymy is proposed: Graphipteruskindermanni Chaudoir, 1871, syn. n. of Carabusmultiguttatus Olivier, 1790. Lectotype designations were made for Graphipterusheydeni, Graphipterusminutus Dejean, 1822, Graphipterusmultiguttatus, and Graphipterusrotundatus. Neotype designations were made for Graphipterusreichei Guérin-Méneville, 1859, Graphipterusintermedius Guérin-Méneville, 1859, and Graphipterusvaldanii Guérin-Méneville, 1859.