A new endemic ground beetle species of the genus Tapinopterus Schaum (Pterostichini: Carabidae: Coleoptera) from the Balkan Peninsula, with some notes on its ecology

Abstract

A new ground beetle species, Tapinopterus (Tapinopterus) macedonicus sp. nov. (from Northern Macedonia, Mount Karadžica, Špela Bozguni Cave) is described and diagnosed. Male and female genitalia and other taxonomically important characters are illustrated. A comparison is carried out between the new species and the most closely related taxa. The new species is clearly distinct from its closest congeners and represents an endemic relict inhabiting a limited area in the southern part of the Balkan Peninsula. In addition, its current distribution and some notes on its ecology are also presented.

Keywords:

• Carabidae
• Macedonia
• new species
• soil
• Tapinopterus

Acknowledgements

We are deeply indebted to Dr Heinrich Schönmann (Vienna), who provided the necessary literature for this study. We are also grateful to Nikola Angelov (Skopje) of the Peoni Speleological Society, who helped us during the field trips. This study was supported by the Serbian Ministry of Science (Grant No. 143053).