Brachypterous ground beetles of the Trichotichnus subgenus Bottchrus Jedlička (Coleoptera, Carabidae) from the Himalaya, with description of fifteen new species
Author
Schmidt, Joachim
text
Zootaxa
2017
2017-09-22
4323
3
301
358
journal article
32021
10.11646/zootaxa.4323.3.1
f1be4566-adeb-4995-83c7-2aebab3c7458
1175-5326
919606
3E58F99B-2A30-437A-95Ae-D68A1D3Ecc45
Trichotichnus
(
Bottchrus
)
birmanicus
Bates, 1892
(
Fig 123
,
146–150
)
Trichotichnus Birmanicus
Bates, 1892
: 342
.
Type
locality: “Karin Cheba, alt.
900–1100 m
” (
Karen Hills
, approximate coordinates
19°13'N
96°35'E
),
Myanmar
.
Trichotichnus
(
Trichotichnus
)
Batesi
Csiki, 1932
: 1217
, unnecessary replacement name for
Trichotichnus birmanicus
Bates, 1892
.
Trichotichnus
(
Bellogenus
)
probsti
Kirschenhofer, 1992
: 39
,
syn. n.
Type
locality: Tatopani,
1100–1400 m
, Kali
Gandaki
Khola,
Myagdi Distr.
,
Nepal
.
Type material examined
. Syntype of
T. birmanicus
: ♂, “Carin Cheba,
900–1100 m
, L. Fea,
V–XII.88
”, “
Trichotichnus Birmanicus
Bates
” (Bates’ handwriting) (MNHN).
Holotype
of
T. probsti
:
♀
, “W-Nepal,
Dhawalagiri
,
Myagdi Distr.
,
Kali
–
Gandaki
–
Khola
,
Tatopani
,
1100– 1400 m
,
14–17.VI.1986
, leg.
J. Probst
”, “
Holotypus
,
Trichotichnus
(
Bellogenus
)
probsti
n. sp.
, det.
Kirschenhofer
, 91” (
NHMW
).
Addition material examined. India
.
1 ♀
,
Sikkim
,
Dzongri
,
3000 m
,
15.VIII.1977
,
B. Bhakta
leg. (
NHMB
)
; 1 ♂,
3 ♀
, NE
India
,
Meghalaya
,
1 km
E of
Tura
,
550 m
,
25°30'N
90°14'E
,
10–15.VI.2002
,
M. Tryzna
,
P. Benda
leg. (cFCCH, cWR,
ZIN
)
.
Nepal
.
1 ♂
,
Karnali Prov.
,
Mugu Distr.
, Mugu
Karnali
,
Mangri
up to
Taka
,
2100–2300 m
,
29°34.2'N
82°23.5'E
,
28.VI.1999
,
M. Hartmann
leg. (
NME
)
;
1 ♀
,
Bheri
Prov.,
Dailekh Distr.
,
Dailekh
, S
Katia Khola
,
800 m
,
31.V.1995
,
A. Weigel
leg. (
NME
)
;
1 ♂
,
Dhaulagiri
,
Phedi
to
Phalegaon
,
28°28'N
83°21'E
,
1100– 1800 m
,
9.V.2012
,
J. Schmidt
leg. (cJS)
; 1 ♂,
3 ♀
,
Annapurna Mts.
,
Ulleri
südl.
Ghorepani
, ca
2000 m
,
16.VI.1993
,
J. Schmidt
leg. (cJS)
;
1 ♂
, Annapurna Mts, Dana bis
Tatopani
,
1200–1400 m
,
13.VI.1993
,
J. Schmidt
leg. (cJS)
;
1 ♂
, Kali
Gandaki
Vall., betw. Tatopani and Beni, ca
1000 m
,
29.X.1992
,
J. Schmidt
leg. (cJS)
;
1 ♂
,
Annapurna
,
South Himal
,
1600 m
,
Ghara
W
Ghorepani
,
29.V.2002
,
J. Schmidt
leg. (cJS)
; 1 ♂,
3 ♀
,
Nepal
420,
Kathmandu Distr.
,
Kathmandu–Baneshwar
,
1350 m
,
18.IV.1885
,
Martens
&
W. Schawaller
leg. (
SMNS
)
;
2 ♀
,
Nepal
583, Kathmandu, Baneshwar,
1300 m
,
21–25.VI.1998
,
W. Schawaller
leg. (
SMNS
)
;
1 ♀
,
Nepal
477,
Kathmandu Distr.
,
Kathmandu–Baneshwar
,
1350 m
,
2–3.VI.1995
,
Martens
&
W. Schawaller
leg. (
SMNS
)
;
1 ♀
,
Bagmati
Distr.,
Kathmandu-Thamel
,
Wasserreservoir
, HF
27°43'N
85°23'E
,
1400 m
,
Grill
leg. (cJS)
; 1 ♂,
1 ♀
,
Kathmandu
, NE
Gorkhana Park
,
Bagmati
,
27°43'22"N
85°22'59"E
,
1400 m
,
26.VI.1997
,
A. Weigel
leg. (
NME
)
;
1 ♂
,
Kathmandu
, nördlicher
Stadtrand
, ca
1200 m
,
17.IX.1992
,
J. Weipert
leg. (
NME
)
;
1 ♂
,
Kathmandu Vall.
,
1300 m
,
18.VI.1995
,
Ahrens
&
Pommeranz
leg. (cJS)
; 1 ♀, Kathmandu Vall., Pharping,
1600 m
,
12.VIII.2004
, Anand Chaudari leg. (cJS);
1 ♂
, same data as preceding, but
2.X.2004
(cJS)
;
2 ♀
, same data, but
7.VIII.2004
(cJS)
; 1 ♀, Kathmandu Vall., Bhaktapur, 2004, Anand Chaudari leg. (cJS);
1 ♂
,
Kathmandu
,
Thamel
,
Hotel Norbhu Linka
, LF
1300 m
,
5.VI.1995
,
A. Weigel
leg. (
NME
)
;
1 ♀
,
Kathmandu
,
Bagmati River
,
18.X.1987
,
Winkelmann
–
Klöck
leg. [det. as
T.
(
Bellogenus
)
probsti
Kirsch.
by
E. Kirschenhofer
in 1992] (cWR)
; 1 ♀, Boudha, Mahankal,
20.X.2004
(cJS);
1 ♀
, S
Khumbu-Himal
, env. Jiri, Shivalaya, Kimti Khola,
1707 m
,
1.V.1993
,
Kleeberg
leg. (cJS)
;
1 ♂
, E
Nepal
, Dhankuta, Arun Valley, SE
Makalu
,
Navagaon – Num
, 1900–
700 m
,
16.VI.1980
,
C. Holzschuh
leg. [det. as
T. glabellus
Andr.
by
E. Kirschenhofer
] (cWR)
,
1 ♂
, E
Nepal
,
Arun Valley
,
Ruhruma –Waleng Iswakhola
,
1200 m
,
14.VI.1992
,
J. & J. Probst
leg. [det. as
T. probsti
m. by
E. Kirschenhofer
in 1992] (
NHMW
)
.
Bhutan
.
1 ♀
,
Wangdi Phodrang
Pr
.,
40 km
SSE
Wangdi Phodrang
,
Puna Tsang Vall.
, ca
790 m
,
27°12'38"N
90°03'05"E
,
25.XI.2005
,
M. Jäch
leg. (
NHMW
)
.
Burma
.
1 ♀
, Tenasserim, Malvedaung,
30 km
S of
Ye
,
300 m
,
15–25.XI.1934
,
R. Malaise
leg. (
SMNHS
)
;
1 ♂
, env.
Naymyo
[=
Pyin Oo Lwin
],
700–900 m
,
12–13.II.1996
,
S. Kurbatov
leg. (
ZIN
)
;
3 ♀
,
Shan
Prov.,
Namhsan
,
1600 m
, litter,
18.II.1996
,
S. Kurbatov
leg. (
ZIN
)
.
China
.
Yunnan
:
1 ♂
,
Nujiang Lisu Aut. Pref.
, creek valley,
3 km
SE
Gongshan
,
27°43'02"N
98°41'27"E
,
1450–1500 m
, litter/moss, sifted, [20],
5.VI.2007
,
D.W. Wrase
leg. (cWR)
;
2 ♂
, same data as preceding, but
A. Pütz
leg. (cPTZ; cWR)
;
1 ♀
,
Taveishan Mts.
near
Pingpien
,
1500 m
,
21.VI.1956
,
Hwang Ke
leg. (
ZIN
)
;
2 ♂
,
Lungling
,
1600 m
,
20.V.1955
,
O. Kryzhanovskij
leg. (
ZIN
)
; 1 ♂,
2 ♀
,
Baoshan Pref.
, Gaoligong
Shan
,
65 km
NNE
Tengchong
,
1750 m
,
25°35'20"N
98°40'21"E
, secondary mixed forest, overgrown stone debris, litter / moss sifted,
27.VIII.2009
,
M. Schülke
leg. [27B] (cWR)
; 5 ♂,
2 ♀
, same data as preceding, but
D.W. Wrase
leg. [10] (cWR,
ZIN
);
1 m
,
2 ♀
, same data as preceding, but pasture, under decaying plant material [10C] (cWR)
; 1 ♀, Longling, Zhen-an, Bangbie, steamside, 24.81327°N 98.83271°E,
1550 m
,
24.V.2005
, H.B. Liang, D. Kavanaugh leg. (IOZ);
1 ♀
,
Baoshan
,
Longyang
,
Bawan
,
Nankang station
,
24.82260°N
98.78201°E
,
2060 m
,
23.V.2005
,
H.B. Liang
leg. (IOZ)
;
1 ♀
,
Gongshan Co.
,
Gongshan Township
,
Dandang Preserve
,
1675–1820 m
,
27.74323°N
98.66168°E
to
27.74183°N
98.65908°E
,
29.VI.2000
,
Stop
#00–16,
D. Kavanaugh
leg. (IOZ)
;
1 ♀
,
Gongshan Co.
,
Gongshan
,
1500 m
,
27.74064°N
98.66557°E
,
28.VI.2000
,
Stop
#00– 14,
D. Kavanaugh
,
H.B. Liang
leg. (IOZ)
;
2 ♀
,
Gongshan Co.
,
Maxidang
, along road,
27°52'41"N
98°39'15"E
,
1550 m
,
19.IV.2002
,
H.B. Liang
,
W. Ba
,
G. Yang
,
X.Q. Li
leg. (IOZ)
; 1 ♀, Gongshan, Bingzhongluo Vill., 28°01'14"N 98°37'12"E,
1700 m
,
13.IV.2002
, H.B. Liang, W. Ba leg. (IOZ); 1 ♂, Tengchong, Tengyue, Laifengshan, 25.01734°N 98.47719°E,
1920 m
,
1.VI.2006
, D. Kavanaugh leg. (IOZ);
1 ♀
,
Lushui Co.
,
Pianma
,
Gangfang
,
Xuetang
,
26.12218°N
98.57546°E
,
1625 m
,
16.V.2005
,
D. Kavanaugh
,
D.Z. Dong
leg. (IOZ)
;
1 ♀
, Fugong, Pihe, at junction of
Nujiang River
,
26.53177°N
98.89753°E
,
1060 m
,
20.IV.2004
,
D. Kavanaugh
,
C. Griswold
leg. (IOZ)
; 1 ♂,
1 ♀
,
Fugong Co.
,
Shangpa
,
Guquan Village
, roadside,
26.88897°N
98.86558°E
,
1230 m
,
21.IV.2004
,
H.B. Liang
,
X.Y. Li
leg. (IOZ)
;
1 ♀
, S
Gejiu
,
1860 m
,
23°17'14"N
103°08'41"E
(grassy slope with shrubs near road, litter / soil / moss sifted),
21.VIII.2014
,
M. Schülke
leg. [17] (cWR)
;
2 ♀
, S
Yunnan
(
Xishuangbanna
), 37 NW
Jinghong
, vic.
Guo Men Shan
,
22°14'48"N
100°36'22"E
,
1000 m
,
27.IV.2009
, LF, leg.
A. Weigel
(
NME
)
;
1 ♂
, same data as preseding, but
22°17.48'N
100°38.85'E
,
1080 m
,
26.V.2008
, LF,
A. Weigel
leg. (
NME
)
.
Sichuan
:
1 ♀
, S
Sichuan
, N
Lunan Shan
, NE of
Dechang
, W slope of
Mt
'4282',
1600–2400 m
,
27.IV.2001
,
I. Belousov
&
A. Korolev
leg. (
ZIN
)
.
Hainan
:
1 ♀
,
Changjiang County
,
Bawangling
,
Dong-er
,
19.09901°N
109.17540°E
,
1015 m
,
8.V.2007
, N, H.-
B. Liang
leg. (IOZ)
; 1 ♂,
1 ♀
, same data as preceding, but
9.V.2007
(IOZ)
;
1 ♂
,
Qiongzhong
,
Limushan
,
Conserve station
,
light trap
,
19.17561°N
109.74246°E
,
634 m
,
29.III.2007
,
H.L. Shi
leg. (IOZ)
;
1 ♀
,
Baisha
,
Nakai Town
, on vegetation or ground,
18.9741°N
109.2956°E
,
790 m
,
13.IV.2010
,
Lin Meiyng
leg. (IOZ)
.
Vietnam
. 2 ♂,
4 ♀
,
Lao Cai Prov.
,
250 km
from
Hanoi
,
Sa Pa
env.,
Hoang Lien Son Nat. Park
,
1250 m
,
27.VI.–2.VII.1998
,
A. Napolov
leg. (
MPU
,
ZIN
)
;
1 ♂
, same data as preceding, but
2– 15.VI.1998
(
ZIN
)
;
1 ♀
,
Lao Cai
Prov.,
6 km
W of SA PA, N slope of
Phansipan Mt. Area
,
2000–2100 m
, near
Tram
don (base of
Hoang Lien Nat. Park
),
22°21'N
103°46'E
,
V.2005
,
A.V. Abramov
leg. (
Exp. of Russia-Vietnam Tropical Centre
) (
ZIN
)
;
11 ♀
,
Lao Cai
Prov.,
6 km
W of Sa Pa
, northern slope of
Phansipan Mt. area
,
May 2008
,
A.V. Abramov
leg. (
ZIN
)
;
1 ♂
,
Lao Cai
Prov., Hoang Lien Son Mt. Range, env.
Fansipan Mt.
,
Tramton
,
1950–2100 m
,
15–20.VII.2007
,
D. Fedorenko
leg. (
ZIN
)
;
1 ♀
,
Lao Cai
Prov., Sa Pa env.,
22°19.52'N
103°50.35'E
, ca
1650 m
,
23–27.V.1999
,
Ahrens
leg. (cJS)
;
1 ♂
,
Vinh Phu Prov.
,
Tam Dao
,
21°27.18'N
105°38.58'E
,
1050–1200 m
,
2– 6.VI.1999
,
Ahrens
leg. (cJS)
;
1 ♂
,
Kon Tum
Prov.
,
Central
Highlands
,
2–3 km
W of
Ngoc Linh Mt.
,
15°05' N
107°57' E
,
1700–1900 m
,
25.III.–14.IV.2004
,
A.V. Abramov
leg. (
ZIN
)
;
1 ♀
, same data as preceding, but
1700– 2000 m
,
20.III.–8.IV.2006
,
A.V. Abramov
leg. (
Exp. of Russia-Vietnam Tropical
Centre
) (
ZIN
)
; 2 ♂,
2 ♀
, N
Vietnam
,
Vinh Phuc
Prov., vic.
Tam Dao Town
,
Tam
dao NP,
21°27'N
105°38'E
,
700–1000 m
,
2–5.V.2013
,
A. Skale
leg. (cSKAL; cWR)
; 1 ♂,
1 ♀
, same data as preceding, but
A. Weigel
leg. (
NME
)
;
1 ♂
, N
Vietnam
,
Cao Bang
Prov.
, vic
.
Vin
Den, Nui Pia Oac Nat. Res.,
22°33'53"N
105°52'53"E
,
900–1300 m
,
6–10.V.2013
,
A. Skale
leg. (cWR)
;
1 ♀
, N
Vietnam
,
Cao Bang
/ vic. Tinh Tuc, Son Do /
Nui Pia Oac Natural
R./
22°33'53"N
105°52'53"E
/
09–15.V.2014
, by light/
900–1300 m
,
A. Weigel
leg. (
NME
)
; 2 ♂,
1 ♀
, S
Vietnam
,
Lam Dong
Prov., Lac Duong Distr.,
5 km
NE of
Long Lanh Vill.
,
1400 m
,
Bi Dup – Nui Ba Nature Reserve
,
12°10'44"N
108°40'44"E
,
IV.2008
,
A.V. Abramov
leg. (
ZIN
)
;
1 ♀
, same data as preceding, but
V.2009
,
A.V. Abramov
leg. (
ZIN
)
; 1 ♂,
1 ♀
, S
Vietnam
,
Lam Dong
Prov., Bi Doup-Nui Ba Reserve, env.
Long Lanh
, at light,
12°10'44"N
108°40'44"E
,
1400–1600 m
,
29– 3.III.2008
,
D. Fedorenko
leg. (
ZIN
)
.
Laos
.
2 ♀
,
Huaphanh
Prov., Ban Saluei env.,
1500 m
,
30 km
S of
Ham Neua
,
103°59'33"E
20°13'39"N
,
Phou Phan
Mt.,
16–17.V.2004
,
Petr Kresl
leg. (cBUL, cWR);
2 ♂
,
4 ♀
, NE
Laos
,
Pr
.
Hua Phan
Ban Saleui, Phou Pan (
Mt.
). ca
20°12'N
104°01'E
,
1300–1900 m
,
11.IV.–15.V.2012
,
C. Holzschuh
leg. (
NME
,
ZIN
)
;
1 ♂
, same data as preceding, but
1–31.V.2011
, local collector leg. (
NME
)
.
Thailand
.
1 ♂
,
Soppong
,
1–9.V.2000
,
P. Moravec
leg. (cWR)
;
1 ♀
, N
Thailand
,
100 km
NE of
Nan
,
Doi Phu Kha
N.P., F. Pavel
leg.
(cFCCH);
1 ♀
,
Chiang Mai
Prov., San Pakia Vill.,
19.19°N
98.50°E
,
1400 m
,
1–15.V.1998
,
V. Kubáň
leg. (cKM)
;
1 ♂
,
1 ♀
, same data as preceding, but
M. Bednarik
leg. (cKM)
;
2 ♂
, same data, but
1–19.V.1998
,
I. Martino
leg. (cKM, cWR)
;
1 ♀
, NW
Thailand
,
Mae
Hong Son
,
Ban Huai Po
,
1600 m
,
9–16.V.1991
,
P. Pacholatko
leg. (cBAS)
.
Malaysia
.
1 ♂
,
3 ♀
,
Malaysia
W.,
Perak
,
40 km
SE of
Ipoh
,
900 m
,
Banjaran Titi Vangsa Binglet
,
29.III.– 29.IV.2004
,
P. Čechovsky
leg. (cBAS, cWR,
ZIN
)
;
1 ♂
,
Malaysia
W, Cammeron
Highlands
,
Ringlet
env.,
15.IV.2000
,
M. Snizek
leg. (cWR)
;
3 ♀
,
Kelantan
State,
60 km
NE
Tanah Rata
,
Tanah Kerajaan
,
1000 m
, at light,
12–30.IV.2007
,
P. Čechovsky
leg. (cWR)
;
1 ♀
,
Malaysia
W,
25 km
NE of
Ipoh
,
2100 m
, Banjaran Titi Wangsa mts., Korbu mt.,
4–13.III.1998
,
P. Čechovsky
leg. (cDOS)
;
2 ♀
,
Malaysia
,
Pahang
,
Fraser's
hill,
17–28.VIII.2010
,
I. Kamskov
leg. (
ISEN
,
ZIN
)
;
1 ♀
,
Selangor Prov.
, Kuala
Selangor
Nature Park,
15 m
,
18–19.V.2009
,
A. Zamesov
,
E. Zamesova
leg. (
ZIN
)
;
2 ♀
,
Pahang
Prov., Fraser's Hill., 0
3°42'54"N
101°43'57"E
,
1500 m
,
17.V.2009
,
A. Zamesov
,
E. Zamesova
leg. (
ZIN
)
.
Description
(the most distinctive characters only). Habitus as in
Fig. 123
. Length
5.9–7.4 mm
. Body black piceous, slightly iridescent on dorsum; legs yellowish brown, femora not infuscate.
Head: Eyes large, markedly convex, wide oval in lateral view. Tempora moderately short, convex, somewhat abruptly sloped to neck. Genae wide, with short setae.
Mentum
and submentum fused laterally and separated by suture medially. Ligular sclerite narrow, narrowed to apex. Left mandible slightly truncate at tip in front view. Microsculpture strongly obliterate, meshes hardly visible. Antennae slightly surpassing pronotal basal edge, with antennomeres 4–8 elongate.
Pronotum: Moderately wide, with sides slightly sinuate in basal third, in some specimens almost straight. Apical margin very shallowly emarginate, apical angles not prominent, widely rounded. Basal margin straight in middle portion, scarcely oblique laterally. Basal angles very slightly obtuse, sharp at tip, without denticle. Lateral gutter slightly widened in apical half. Pronotal disc moderately convex, markedly depressed and flattened laterobasally. Basal foveae usually distinct, shallow, elongate, in most specimens touching basal margin. Punctation in most specimens restricted to the latero-basal areas, variable from very sparse to moderately dense. Microsculpture obliterate on disc, more distinct along margins, consisting of very fine transverse meshes.
Elytra: In lateral and caudal view slightly convex, in dorsal view elongate oval. Elytral preapical sinuation comparatively deep. Humerus with a more or less distinct denticle visible from behind. Striae markedly impressed along entire length. Intervals slightly convex, narrowed apically. Parascutellar striole comparatively long, with large pore at base. Interval 3 with one pore behind middle (in the
holotype
of
T. probsti
, two discal pores on left elytron). Microsculpture obliterate, consisting of very fine, indistinct thin lines on disc.
Hindwings: Fully developed or reduced to scales.
Ventral surface: Metepisternum (
Fig. 146
) narrow, markedly longer than wide. Abdominal sternites covered by very short and fine setae medially. Last visible (VII) abdominal sternite with two pairs of marginal setae, in male subtruncate, in female angularly rounded.
Legs: Protibia sulcate in basal third ventrally. Profemur with two to five setae on anterio-ventral margin. Tarsomere 5 with two pairs of ventro-lateral setae.
Female genitalia: Laterotergite (hemisternite) with two apical setae. Basal palpomere with one apical seta. Apical stylomere moderately curved, with one peg-like seta in both ventral and dorsal margins.
Male genitalia: Median lobe of aedeagus (
Fig. 147–150
) with apical orifice shifted to the left, arcuate in lateral view, with ventral margin slightly convex in apical portion. Terminal lamella short, markedly narrowed apicad in dorsal view (
Fig. 149
). Apical capitulum in lateral view (
Fig. 147
) oblique, with a tiny, poorly developed dorsal flange, in caudal view (
Fig. 150
) somewhat triangular, narrowly rounded at tip. Internal sac without spines in internal sac.
Comparison
. Among the Himalayan members of
Bottchrus
characterized by a comparatively small body length,
T.
(
B
.)
birmanicus
is recognizable by the following combination of distinctive characters: body less convex, left mandible slightly truncate at tip, eyes larger and more convex, tempora shorter, pronotum markedly depressed and flattened latero-basally, metepisterna (
Fig. 146
) noticeably longer and narrower, hindwings fully developed or reduced, elytra with deeper preapical sinuation and with narrower and more convex intervals apically, and median lobe of aedeagus (
Figs 147–150
) as described above. In some characters (left mandible slightly truncate at tip, pronotum depressed latero-basally, rather long metepisterna, and protibia sulcate on dorsal side),
T.
(
B
.)
birmanicus
reminds
T.
(
B
.)
formosus
from
Sikkim
, but the latter species is much larger (about
9.5 mm
) and has median lobe of aedeagus with longer terminal lamella and much larger apical capitulum. In external morphology and male genitalia,
T.
(
B
.)
birmanicus
is very similar to
T.
(
B
.)
horni
Schauberger, 1935
from Borneo, but the latter species differs in slightly larger body (6.8–8.0 mm), pronotum almost impunctate basally, and terminal lamella of the median lobe longer, with apical capitulum more transverse and dorsally slightly more projected.
FIGURES 146–150.
Trichotichnus
(
Bottchrus
)
birmanicus
Bates, 1892
(Ruhruma – Waleng Iswakhola, Nepal). 146, left metepisternum; 147–148, median lobe of aedeagus; 149, apical portion of median lobe; 150, apical capitulum. 146, ventral view, 147, lateral view; 148, 149, dorsal view; 150, caudal view. Scale bars = 0.25 mm (A: Figs 146–149; B: Fig. 150).
Remarks
. The description of
Trichotichnus
(
B
.)
probsti
is based on a single female collected near Tatopani in the Kali
Gandaki
Valley of
Central
Nepal
. It was considered most related to
T.
(
B
.)
holzschuhi
but distinguishing from this taxon by slightly larger, less convex and more elongate body, and by longer elytra with deeper striae and more convex intervals. Re-examination of the
holotype
revealed that this taxon is conspecific with
T.
(
B
.)
birmanicus
.
Distribution and geographical variation.
Trichotichnus
(
B
.)
birmanicus
is widely distributed across the Oriental region.
Andrewes (1930b)
reported this species from North
India
(Mussoorie in
Uttarakhand
, and Lebong in Darjeeling,
West Bengal
),
Myanmar
(Karen Hills), and
Laos
.
Schauberger (1935)
described its distribution as “Himalaya, nördl. Vorderindien, Hinterindien”.
Ito (1991)
reported
T.
(
B
.)
birmanicus
from
Thailand
and also illustrated its male and female genitalia. Based on the examined material, this species also occurs in
Nepal
,
Sikkim
,
Bhutan
,
China
(
Yunnan
,
Sichuan
,
Hainan
),
Vietnam
,
Laos
, and West
Malaysia
. In the Himalayan region, the species occurs at altitudes of
550–3000 m
.
The record of
T.
(
B
.)
birmanicus
from
Hong Kong
(
Hua 2002
,
Aston 2016
) most likely refers to another species,
Harpaliscus birmanicus
Bates, 1892
, because it is based on
Schauberger (1934: 101)
who considered
Harpaliscus
as a subgenus of
Trichotichnus
and cited the latter species as
Trichotichnus
(
Harpaliscus
)
birmanicus
.
It should be noted that most populations from
Nepal
,
Myanmar
and
Yunnan
are dimorphic, with hindwings either fully developed or reduced to small scales, while the populations from more southern areas seem to be fully winged.
Trichotichnus
(
B
.)
birmanicus
is probably a geographical vicariant of
T.
(
B
.)
horni
Schauberger, 1935
described from Borneo, which is also a fully winged species.
The status of the specimens examined from West
Malaysia
(unfortunately, most of them are females) needs further study, because they are, on average, slightly larger (
6.7–7.5 mm
) and robuster than specimens of
T.
(
B
.)
birmanicus
from other localities and may be treated in this respect as transition to
T.
(
B
.)
horni
. However, their pronotum is very finely and sparsely punctate in basal foveae and latero-basally, as in other specimens of
T.
(
B
.)
birmanicus
, and thus different of
T.
(
B
.)
horni
.