Kazantsev S.V.1, Makarov K.V.2 2024. On the status and origin of the endemic to the South Urals soldier beetles (Coleoptera: Cantharidae) // Russian Entomol. J. Vol.33. No.3: 348–353 [in English].
1 Insect Centre, Donetskaya Str. 13-326, Moscow 109651 Russia.
2 Moscow State Pedagogical University, Zoology & Ecology Department, Kibalchicha Str. 6, build. 3, Moscow 129164 Russia.
Sergey Kazantsev: kazantss@mail.ru https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6982-3337
Kirill Makarov: kvmac@inbox.ru https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9184-7869
doi: 10.15298/rusentj.33.3.06
ABSTRACT. The article looks at the status of the three soldier beetles confined to the South Urals mountains, Autosilis olschwangi Kazantsev, 1994, Rhagonycha atrovaria iremelica Kazantsev, 1994 and Malthodes trifurcatus uralicus Kazantsev, 1995, and considered to be local endemics of the mountain tundra of the Bolshoy and Maliy Iremel massive. The re-examination of the type material of Malthodes trifurcatus uralicus leads to considering Malthodes uralicus stat.n. a distinct species, to be included in the West European Malthodes trifurcatus Kiesenwetter, 1852 species group. On the other hand, Rhagonycha atrovaria iremelica Kazantsev, 1994, syn.n. on the re-examination of Rh. atrovaria Wittmer, 1971 is found to represent a younger synonym of the latter species distributed in separate patches from Altai to the Pacific coast. The possible origin of these endemic and sub-endemic to the South Urals soldier beetles is discussed with reference to distribution patterns of other coleopterans and invertebrates in general.
KEY WORDS: Coleoptera, Cantharidae, taxonomy, Palaearctic region.