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Issue: Vol. 5831 No. 1: 12 Jun. 2026
Type: Article
Published: 2026-06-12
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5831.1.12
Page range: 141-150
Abstract views: 72
PDF downloaded: 8

A new cave-dwelling Laemostenus (Pristonychus) species from central Anatolia (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Sphodrini)

Eskişehir Osmangazi University; Department of Biology; Eskişehir; Türkiye.
Erzincan Binali Yıldırım Üniversitesi; Department of Biology; Erzincan; Türkiye.
Coleoptera Laemostenus Pristonychus new species Türkiye

Abstract

Laemostenus (Pristonychus) violeta Fidan & Elverici, sp. nov., from Türkiye is described and illustrated. The new species belongs to the terricola species group of the subgenus Pristonychus. It is readily distinguished from congeners by the unique structure of the aedeagus (slender median lobe and distinct apical shape) and the vivid violaceous sheen of the elytra. The species was found in extremely high abundance in the guano-rich dark zone of Singildakli in (Hamambogazi) Cave, Central Anatolia, and was absent from a nearby guano-free cave. Its ecology indicates a guanophilic and troglophilic lifestyle, and it is currently known only from the type locality, suggesting a localized cave endemicity within the group.

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How to Cite

Fidan, E.C. & Elverici, M. (2026) A new cave-dwelling Laemostenus (Pristonychus) species from central Anatolia (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Sphodrini). Zootaxa, 5831 (1), 141–150. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5831.1.12