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Blaps maldesi Soldati sp. nov. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:ECAD95F0-9469-4AA3-824D-960F20F3DD15 Fig. 3A���I Etymology This species is named in honor of Jean-Michel Maldes, friend and colleague, entomologist at the CIRAD, specialist in Asilidae (Diptera), who discovered this new species of Blaps while prospecting in the Aures mountain range. Material examined Holotype ALGERIA: ♂, ���Alg��rie, Mif Aur��s, S���Gag, 1900 m, 19.VI.1981 / ALGERIE J. M. MALDES / Blaps maldesi m. n. sp., L. Soldati 2015, HOLOTYPE��� (MNHN). Allotype ALGERIA: ♀, ���S���Gag, 2000 m, Ras Gueddelane, Mif des Aur��s, 18.VI.1981 / ALGERIE J. M. MALDES / Blaps maldesi m. n. sp., L. Soldati 2015��� (MNHN). Paratype ALGERIA: 1 ♂, ���Sgag (Aur��s) / Blaps maldesi m. n. sp., L. Soldati 2015, PARATYPE��� (CS). Description Length: 29.0���35.0 mm; width: 10.0���15.0 mm. Dull to semi-gloss black. Oval-oblong (Fig. 3A���C). Upper surface covered with very fne and sparse punctures, denser on head and pronotum. HEAD. Clypeus arcuately emarginated, with lateral angles right and protruding frontwards, leaving clypeo-labial membrane partially visible. Clypeo-frontal suture reduced to thin, superfcially engraved gloss line. Middle of frons (disc) with faint transverse depression. Mentum transverse, punctate and slightly impressed in middle of anterior edge. Gula microshagreened, matte. Labium deeply notched in middle of front edge. ANTENNAE. Medium size, not reaching pronotal base when directed backwards (Fig. 3D). PRONOTUM. Broadest in its middle, sides narrowed almost in straight line posteriorly, sinuated before posterior angles and arcuately narrowed toward front. Anterior angles rounded. Posterior angles obtuse and blunt. External rim fne, complete on lateral margins, but briefy obliterated in middle of front edge and base. Disc quite convex. Punctation fne, uniform. Carina of anterior foramen of pronotum thick and neck-shaped below. Episternum of prosternum wrinkled near coxae and obliterate toward sides. Prosternal apophysis vertically bent just behind anterior coxae, then fat and non-protruding posteriorly. ELYTRA. Ovoid, broadest around its middle, fat on disc. Upper surface leathery and covered with extremely fne and sparse punctures. Pseudopleural carina only visible on anterior half from above because of transversal convexity of elytra. Caudal extension at apex of elytra (mucro) measuring less than 2.0 mm. Deep suture of mucro fanked by two thick, coarsely transversely wrinkled ribs, converging toward apex, apex ends in narrow apical gap (Fig. 3E). In lateral view, mucro regularly sloping up to apex (Fig. 3F). Below, mucro regularly excavated, with sharp external edges and bottom transversally wrinkled. ABDOMEN. Ventrites wrinkled-punctate; anal ventrite densely punctate, especially along external rim, external rim complete and quite thick. In one case (paratype), external rim of anal ventrite shortly interrupted in middle of apex. LEGS. Protibiae long and fexuous, especially in males. Mesotibiae curved. Inner face of pro- and mesotibiae widely grooved. Tarsi elongated; claws long. Hind tarsi approximately as long as one half of length of corresponding tibiae. SEXUAL DIMORPHISM. Yellow tuft of bristles between ventrites 1 and 2, and a callosity in middle of intercoxal process of ventrite 1. Callosity directed backwards, with some oblique folds on front side. Elytra slightly larger than pronotum in males. In lateral view, posterior declivity of elytra steep in males and subvertical in females. Mucro longer in males (1.5���2.0 mm) than in females (0.5 mm) (Fig. 3E, G). Seem from above, mucro triangularly narrowed in males and acuminate in females. Rear edges of median and especially hind tibiae strongly denticulate in males. Male metatibiae fexuous and shallowly emarginated on inner face; female metatibiae straight and simple. AEDEAGUS. Parameres bottleneck-shaped on sternal face (Fig. 3H), with apex acuminate. In lateral view (Fig. 3I), parameres thick and convex at base, then narrowed almost in a straight line up to apex. Bionomics The three known specimens were taken in the cedar forest of S���Gag (Algeria). Distribution Algeria. This species is currently known only from the type locality of S���Gag in the Aur��s region. Remarks This species belongs to the Blaps emondi species group (sensu Condamine et al. 2011). It is morphologically most similar to B. teocchii sp. nov. from Tunisia. Blaps maldesi sp. nov. is most clearly separated from B. teocchii sp. nov. by having shorter antennae and tarsi, a wider pronotum and by the presence of a tuft of yellow bristles between abdominal ventrites 1 and 2. Until now, these two species have passed unnoticed in the collections because they superfcially look like small specimens of other species of the emondi group, especially when the specimens are prepared in the old-fashioned way, with the legs tucked under the body. Compared to other species in the emondi group, these two species are characterized by the following combination of characters: slender legs; long and fexuous fore-tibiae, with inferior face distinctly grooved; tarsi long; and bottleneck-shaped parameres of aedeagus., Published as part of Laurent Soldati, Fabien L. Condamine, Anne-Laure Clamens & Gael J. Kergoat, 2017, Documenting tenebrionid diversity: progress on Blaps Fabricius (Coleoptera, Tenebrionidae, Tenebrioninae, Blaptini) systematics, with the description of Fve new species, pp. 1-29 in European Journal of Taxonomy 282 on pages 12-15, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2017.282, http://zenodo.org/record/889613, {"references":["Condamine F. L., Soldati L., Rasplus J. - Y. & Kergoat G. J. 2011. New insights on systematics and phylogenetics of Mediterranean Blaps species (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae: Blaptini), assessed through morphology and dense taxon sampling. Systematic Entomology 36: 340 - 361. http: // dx. doi. org / 10.1111 /j. 1365 - 3113.2010.00567. x"]}

Blaps nitiduloides Soldati sp. nov. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:FF763E9B-8763-45D7-B809-2030C9802FAA Fig. 4A���I Etymology The name of this species refers to its resemblance to Blaps emondi var. nitidula Solier, 1848. Material examined Holotype TUNISIA: ♂, ���27.IV.1964, Maktar, TUNISIE, Besnard r��c. / MUSEUM PARIS COLL. P. ARDOIN 1978 / Blaps binominata Esc. = caudigera Allard P. ARDOIN DET. 1977 / Blaps nitiduloides m. n. sp. L. Soldati 2015, HOLOTYPE��� (MNHN). Allotype TUNISIA: ♀, ���Tunis / MUSEUM PARIS COLL. L. BEDEL 1922 / Blaps nitiduloides m. n. sp. L. Soldati 2015, ALLOTYPE��� (MNHN). Paratypes ALGERIA: 1 ♂, ���A��n Beida, Constantinois, ALGERIE��� (MNHN). TUNISIA: 1 ♂, 1 ♀, ���Tunis 9.IX.26 J. Briel��� (MNHN); 1 ♂, ���27.IV.1964, Maktar, TUNISIE, Besnard r��c.��� (MNHN); 1 ♂, ���Carthage, Tunisie, 10.IX.26, Briel��� (MNHN); 1 ♂, 1 ♀, ���MUSEUM PARIS TUNIS Belv��d��re A. WEISS 1902��� (MNHN); 1 ♂, ���Teboursouk, Tunisie��� (MNHN); 1 ♂, ���Hadger El Aioun (Tunisie) DE VAULOGER��� (MNHN); 1 ♂, ���Sbeitla, De Vauloger��� (MNHN); 1 ♀, ���Tunis: Gassa (91 Augos) / Edmondi / Sammlung J. Daniel / Blaps ♀? torretassoi Koch i. l. 1977 N. Skopin det.��� (HNHM); 1 ♂, ���Tunisie, Teboursouk��� (CS); 1 ♂, ���Tunis��� (CS); 1 ♂, ���Tunisie, Sousse, 10.IV.1997, M. Martinez leg.��� (CS); 1 ♀, ���27.IV.1964, Maktar, TUNISIE, Besnard r��c.��� (CS); 1 ♂, 1 ♀, ���Tunisia NE, Hammam-Lif, 3���4.IV.1999, lgt. M. Kalabza��� (CT); 1 ♀, ���Tunisia NW, 20 km N Beja, 19.4.2001, LGT. M. Halada��� (CT). Other material (3 specimens, MNHN) ALGERIA: Constantine (Khenichela), Mt Tebessa, 1100 m (MNHN). TUNISIA: Carthago, Rad��s (MNHN). Description Length: 33.0���42.0 mm; width: 12.5���16.0 mm. Semi-gloss black (Fig. 4A���C). Upper surface covered with extremely fne, sparse and superfcial punctures. HEAD. Covered with fne punctation, more pronounced than on rest of upper body surface. Punctation becomes even denser on clypeus. Clypeus arcuately emarginated, with anterior angles right and protruding frontwards, leaving clypeo-labial membrane partially visible. Clypeo-frontal suture reduced to thin, brilliant line. In middle of frons, just behind eyes, two shallow, circular depressions, sometimes joined by short transverse depression. Mentum transverse, densely and coarsely punctate. Gula microshagreened, matte. Labium deeply notched in middle of front edge. ANTENNAE (Fig. 4D). Short, barely reaching basal third of pronotum when directed backwards. Antennomeres 4���7 particularly short and thick. PRONOTUM. Usually weakly transverse, not wider than long, broadest at or just behind its middle. Disc slightly convex. Sides regularly arcuate, except at posterior angles. Posterior angles obtuse and blunt. Anterior angles rounded. External rim complete on lateral margins, but obliterated in middle of front edge and base. Punctation extremely fne, sometimes barely visible. Carina of anterior foramen of pronotum very thick and neck-shaped. Episternum of prosternum superfcially wrinkled. Prosternal apophysis vertically bent just after anterior coxae, then fat and generally non-protruding posteriorly. ELYTRA. Ovoid, broadest around its middle. Upper surface smooth and covered with extremely fne and sparse punctures; background integument shining. Pseudopleural carina just visible on anterior half from above because of transversal convexity of elytra. Posterior declivity of elytra steep in lateral view. Mucro at apex of elytra measuring between 2.0 and 5.0 mm. Seen from above, deep suture fanked by two thick, coarsely transversely striated ribs, converging in curve toward apex, apex ending in deep and narrow apical gap (Fig. 4E). In lateral view, mucro thick on �� of its length, then abruptly sloping toward apex (Fig. 4F). Basin-shaped below, with bottom coarsely striated transversely. ABDOMEN. Ventrites wrinkled; anal ventrite punctate, with light depression on disc, external rim complete. LEGS. Quite short and stout. Protibiae slightly curved. Tarsi short. SEXUAL DIMORPHISM. No tuft of bristles between ventrites 1 and 2, but strong callosity present in middle of intercoxal process of ventrite 1 in males. Mucro longer in males (2.5���5.0 mm) than in females (2.0��� 2.2 mm) (Fig. 4E, G). Male mesotibiae curved, slightly grooved on upper face. Male posterior tibiae fexuous and shallowly emarginated in middle of inner side, straight and simple in females. AEDEAGUS. On sternal face (Fig. 4H), parameres open, subparallel for 4/5 of their length, then triangularly narrowed at apex. In lateral view (Fig. 4I), parameres frst subparallel for 9/10 of their length, then obliquely truncated and end in a point. Bionomics The examined material was collected between April and September. Distribution Algeria and Tunisia. This species is currently only known from Tunisia and the Constantine region of Algeria. Remarks This species belongs to the Blaps emondi species group (sensu Condamine et al. 2011). It is morphologically related to B. emondi Solier, 1848 and B. binominata Escalera, 1914. In B. binominata the characteristic mucro is very broad and parallel, with a strong apical gap at a right angle. The male of B. emondi exhibits a tuft of yellow bristles between ventrites 1 and 2, and the abdominal callosity is located near the front edge of the intercoxal process of ventrite 1. It is also worth highlighting that Blaps nitiduloides sp. nov. is not found in sympatry with either B. binominata or B. emondi; the latter occurs in central and western Algeria, north of the ���Hauts Plateaux���, and northeastern Morocco, whereas the distribution of B. binominata extends from the Oran region to the northeast of Morocco and the Spanish enclave of Melilla., Published as part of Laurent Soldati, Fabien L. Condamine, Anne-Laure Clamens & Gael J. Kergoat, 2017, Documenting tenebrionid diversity: progress on Blaps Fabricius (Coleoptera, Tenebrionidae, Tenebrioninae, Blaptini) systematics, with the description of Fve new species, pp. 1-29 in European Journal of Taxonomy 282 on pages 15-18, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2017.282, http://zenodo.org/record/889613, {"references":["Solier M. 1848. Essai de classifcation des Collapterides Blapsites. In: Baudi F. & Truqui E. (eds) Studi Entomologici 1: 1 - 376. Torino.","Condamine F. L., Soldati L., Rasplus J. - Y. & Kergoat G. J. 2011. New insights on systematics and phylogenetics of Mediterranean Blaps species (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae: Blaptini), assessed through morphology and dense taxon sampling. Systematic Entomology 36: 340 - 361. http: // dx. doi. org / 10.1111 /j. 1365 - 3113.2010.00567. x"]}

Blaps intermedia Soldati sp. nov. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:EC3407F9-8A76-4296-AEC5-DFDA9F06CDE1 Fig. 2A���I Etymology The name of this species refers to the fact that it looks like a morphological intermediary between Blaps appendiculata Motschulsky, 1851 and B. debdouensis Obenberger, 1914. Material examined Holotype MOROCCO: ♂, ���4.IV.1996, Arhbalou, Moyen Atlas, Maroc, P. Jolivet leg. / Museum Paris coll. P. Ardoin 1978 / Blaps ssp. intermedia m. Soldati det. 1996 / Blaps intermedia m. n. sp., L. Soldati 2015, HOLOTYPE��� (MNHN). Paratypes MOROCCO: 1 ♂, ���Marocco, Moyen Atlas 6.04.1958 Leg. L. Kocher / Coll. N. Skopin / appendiculata Motsch. 1975 N. Skopin det. / Blaps appendiculata canalicauda subsp. n. / Blaps emondi intermedia n. ssp. PARATYPE��� (HNHM); 2 ♂♂, ���Dj. Hebbri 18.IV.1926 / Coll. Dr. G. Aud��oud��� (HNHM); 2 ♂♂, ���El Hajeb 19.IV.1926��� (HNHM); 1 ♂, ���Moyen Atlas, route P21 bif.r.3206 21.7.69 / Marokko O. Stemmler / Blaps tingitana All. Dr. Z. Kaszab det. 1973��� (HNHM); 3 ♂♂, same data as holotype (MNHN); 1 ♂, ���14.V.1969, Azrou, Moyen Atlas, Durand��� (MNHN); 1 ♂, ���20.IV.1965, Almis du Guigou p. Boulemane, Moyen Atlas, P. Jolivet��� (MHNH); 1 ♂, ���Azrou��� (MNHN); 1 ♂, ���20.IV.1965, Boulemane, Moyen Atlas, P. Jolivet��� (MNHN); 1 ♂, ���29.V.1968, 1800 m, Djebel Hebri, Moyen Atlas, Maroc, D. Seiler��� (MNHN); 1 ♂, ���Moyen Atlas, 1960 m, Djebel Hebri, Maroc, 30.IV.1970��� (MNHN); 1 ♂, ���Timhadit, 1900 m, Alluaud 1881��� (MNHN); 1 ♂, 1 ♀, ���rte entre Ajabou et Azrou (stat�� 21, 1900 m, 33��15��� N / 05��14��� WW)��� (MHNL); 1 ♂, ���Aknoul 11/10/1936��� (CS); 1 ♂, 2 ♀♀, ���Jbel Tichtrar, Moy. Atl. 6.1973, Maroc, H. Fongond��� (CS); 1 ♂, ���Tizi Abekhnanes, Jbel Tichtrar, Maroc Moy. Atl. 27.VI.1973, H. Fongond��� (CS); 1 ♂, ���For��t de Jaaba 11 km W. Ifrane Moyen Atlas Maroc 30.V.08��� (CT); 1 ♂, ���Maroc m 2000, Moyen Atlas, Aguelmame Sidi Ali, 20.VI.1998, P. Leo��� (CMF); 1 ♀, ���Aguelm. Sidi Ali,Moy. Alt., Maroc, 6.IV.1980, H. Fongond��� (CMF). Other material (50 specimens, MNHN) MOROCCO: Aknoul, Almis du Guigou, Azerzou (SE of Khenifra) (MNHN); Azrou, Arhbalou-n- Serdane, Bekrite, 1950 m (Middle Atlas) (MNHN); Berkane (MNHN); Dayet Ifrah (MNHN); El Hadjeb (MNHN); Ifrane (MNHN); Zaou��a de l���Oued Ifrane (MNHN); Djebel Hebri (MNHN); Guercif (MNHN); Mechr�� Safsaf (near Berkane) (MNHN); Taza (MNHN); Tendrara (MNHN); Timhadit, Zad, 2100 m (MNHN). Description Length: 32.0���42.0 mm; width: 12.0���16.0 mm. Dull black. Oval-oblong, elongated (Fig. 2A���C). Upper surface covered with very fne and sparse punctures, progressively denser from elytra to head. HEAD. Clypeus arcuately emarginate, with lateral angles protruding frontwards, clypeo-labial membrane not visible. Clypeo-frontal suture reduced to thin, superfcially engraved glossy line. Middle of frons (disc) with faint, generally obliterated, transverse depression. Mentum transverse, punctate and slightly impressed in middle of anterior edge. Gula microshagreened, dull. Labium triangularly emarginated in middle of front edge. ANTENNAE. Medium size, reaching at most �� of pronotal length when directed backwards (Fig. 2D). PRONOTUM. Broadest in its middle, sides distinctly sinuated before posterior angles and arcuatly narrowed frontwards. Anterior angles rounded. Posterior angles sub-right and blunt. External rim fne, complete on lateral margins, but obliterated in middle of front edge and base. Disc convex. Punctuation fne, uniform. Carina of pronotum anterior foramen thick and neck-shaped below. Episternum of prosternum shallowly wrinkled near coxae and obliterate toward margins. Prosternal apophysis vertically bent just behind anterior coxae, then very slightly denticulate in middle at apex. ELYTRA. Ovoid, broadest around its middle, fat on disc. Upper surface leathery, covered with extremely fne and sparse punctures. Pseudopleural carina only visible from above because of tranversal convexity of elytra. Caudal extension at apex of elytra (mucro) measuring between 1.5 and 3.5 mm. Seen from above, mucro triangularly narrowed; deep suture fanked by two thick, coarsely transversely wrinkled ribs, converging toward apex, which ends in acute angular gap (Fig. 2E). In lateral view, mucro regularly narrowed up to apex, with lower face sub-horizontal (Fig. 2F); below, regularly but not deeply excavated, with sharp external edges and bottom transversally wrinkled. ABDOMEN. Ventrites wrinkled-punctate; anal ventrite fnely punctate, denser along external rim, external rim complete and fne. LEGS. Mesotibiae curved. Inner face of pro-and mesotibiae superfcially grooved. SEXUAL DIMORPHISM. Yellow tuft of bristles between ventrites 1 and 2, and strong callosity between middle and front edge of intercoxal process of ventrite 1. Callosity directed backwards, bifd on top (when not eroded), with some longitudinal and oblique folds on front side, and coarse, transversal wrinkles hindwards. Pseudopleural carina of elytra only visible on anterior half in males, visible on anterior third in females. In lateral view, posterior declivity of elytra steep in males and subvertical in females. Mucro longer in males (2.0���3.5 mm) than in females (1.5���2.0 mm) (Fig. 2E, G). Male protibiae slightly fexuous; straight in females. In males, rear edges of median and especially hind tibiae strongly denticulate. Male metatibiae fexuous and shallowly emarginated on inner face; female metatibiae straight and simple. AEDEAGUS. Parameres open on sternal face (Fig. 2H), with apex acuminate. In lateral view (Fig. 2I), parameres thick and convex at base, then narrowed almost in straight line up to apex. Bionomics The examined material was collected between April and October. Distribution Morocco: Middle Atlas mountain range and further north, up to the surroundings of Taza and Aknoul. Remarks This species belongs to the Blaps emondi species group (sensu Condamine et al. 2011). Blaps intermedia sp. nov. is morphologically very close to B. debdouensis, and the aedeagus is the most reliable character to the two species: in B. intermedia sp. nov. the parameres are more extended laterally and appear infated, whereas they are parallel and gutter-shaped in B. debdouensis. However, it is worth underlining that the aedeagus is often distorted by dehydration because of the very thin lateral tegument of the parameres. In the case of isolated females, the geographic distribution is a good criterion to distinguish females of Blaps intermedia sp. nov. from females of B. debdouensis., Published as part of Laurent Soldati, Fabien L. Condamine, Anne-Laure Clamens & Gael J. Kergoat, 2017, Documenting tenebrionid diversity: progress on Blaps Fabricius (Coleoptera, Tenebrionidae, Tenebrioninae, Blaptini) systematics, with the description of Fve new species, pp. 1-29 in European Journal of Taxonomy 282 on pages 9-12, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2017.282, http://zenodo.org/record/889613, {"references":["Condamine F. L., Soldati L., Rasplus J. - Y. & Kergoat G. J. 2011. New insights on systematics and phylogenetics of Mediterranean Blaps species (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae: Blaptini), assessed through morphology and dense taxon sampling. Systematic Entomology 36: 340 - 361. http: // dx. doi. org / 10.1111 /j. 1365 - 3113.2010.00567. x"]}

Blaps teocchii Soldati sp. nov. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:BBAE8764-F336-4941-9657-009531E258BC Fig. 5A���I Etymology This species is named in honour of Pierre Teocchi, cerambycid specialist, to whom one of us (L. Soldati) owes having become an entomologist. Material examined Holotype TUNISIA: ♂, ���Zaghouan, 20���22.V.1995, M. Ouda leg. / Blaps teocchii m. n. sp. L. Soldati 2015, HOLOTYPE��� (MNHN). Allotype TUNISIA: ♀, same data as holotype (MNHN). Paratypes TUNISIA: 1 ♂, same data as holotype (CS); 1 ♂, same data as holotype (CT). Description Length: 31.0���33.0 mm; width: 11.0���13.0 mm. Semi-gloss black. Oval-oblong (Fig. 5A���C). Upper surface covered with very fne, sparse and superfcial punctures, denser on head and pronotum. HEAD. Clypeus arcuately emarginated, with lateral angles right and protruding frontwards, leaving clypeolabial membrane partially visible. Clypeo-frontal suture reduced to thin gloss line. Middle of frons (disc) with faint transverse depression. Mentum transverse, coarsely punctate and slightly impressed in middle of anterior edge. Gula microshagreened, matte. Labium deeply notched in middle of front edge. ANTENNAE. Slender, barely reaching pronotal base when directed backwards (Fig. 5D). PRONOTUM. Broadest in its middle, with sides narrowed almost in straight line posteriorly and arcuately towards front. Anterior angles rounded. Posterior angles obtuse and blunt. External rim fne, complete on lateral margins but obliterated in middle of front edge and base. Disc slightly convex. Punctation fne, uniform, as on head. Carina of anterior foramen of pronotum thick and neck-shaped below. Episternum of prosternum superfcially wrinkled. Prosternal apophysis vertically bent just behind anterior coxae, then fat and non-protruding posteriorly. ELYTRA. Ovoid, broadest around its middle, depressed on disc. Upper surface smooth and covered with very fne and sparse punctures; background integument semi-gloss. Caudal extension at apex of elytra (mucro) measuring between 1.0 and 2.5 mm. Seen from above, mucro almost subparallel; deep suture fanked by two thick, coarsely transversely wrinkled ribs, slightly converging toward apex, apex ending in narrow apical gap (Fig. 5E). In lateral view, mucro regularly sloping up to apex (Fig. 5F). Seen from below, mucro regularly excavated, with sharp external edges and bottom transversally wrinkled. ABDOMEN. Ventrites wrinkled-punctate; anal ventrite densely punctate, with external rim complete and quite thick. LEGS. Protibiae long and fexuous. Mesotibiae curved. Inner face of pro- and mesotibiae widely grooved. Tarsi elongated and stout; claws long. Hind tarsi as long as �� of length of corresponding tibiae. SEXUAL DIMORPHISM. No yellow tuft of bristles between ventrites 1 and 2, but strong callosity present between middle and anterior ridge of intercoxal process of ventrite 1 and directed backwards, with some oblique folds on front side. Elytra slightly larger than pronotum in males. Pseudopleural carina only visible on anterior half from above in males, or on anterior third in females, because of transversal convexity of elytra. In lateral view, posterior declivity of elytra steeper in females. Mucro longer in males (2.5 mm) than in females (1.0 mm) (Fig. 5E, G). Rear edges of median and especially hind tibiae strongly denticulate in males. Male metatibiae fexuous and shallowly emarginated on inner face at middle third; straight and simple in females. AEDEAGUS. Parameres bottleneck-shaped on sternal face (Fig. 5H), with apex acuminate. In lateral view (Fig. 5I), parameres thick and convex at base, then narrowed almost in straight line up to apex. Bionomics Unknown. Distribution Tunisia. So far known only from the type locality of Zaghouan in Tunisia. Remarks This species belongs to the Blaps emondi species group (sensu Condamine et al. 2011). It is morphologically very similar to B. maldesi sp. nov. from Tunisia (see above for more information)., Published as part of Laurent Soldati, Fabien L. Condamine, Anne-Laure Clamens & Gael J. Kergoat, 2017, Documenting tenebrionid diversity: progress on Blaps Fabricius (Coleoptera, Tenebrionidae, Tenebrioninae, Blaptini) systematics, with the description of Fve new species, pp. 1-29 in European Journal of Taxonomy 282 on pages 18-20, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2017.282, http://zenodo.org/record/889613, {"references":["Condamine F. L., Soldati L., Rasplus J. - Y. & Kergoat G. J. 2011. New insights on systematics and phylogenetics of Mediterranean Blaps species (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae: Blaptini), assessed through morphology and dense taxon sampling. Systematic Entomology 36: 340 - 361. http: // dx. doi. org / 10.1111 /j. 1365 - 3113.2010.00567. x"]}

Blaps effeminata Soldati sp. nov. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:1D90B029-4826-4525-9A59-22B6B0A91806 Fig. 1A���I Etymology The name of this species refers to the lack of abdominal hair tufts in males. Material examined Holotype LIBYA: ♂, ���Tombe a Nord di Cirene / Cirenaica, 27.IV.1967, G. Dellacasa & P. Maifredi / Museo Civico di Genova / Blaps polychresta ssp. effeminata Soldati, Holotype��� (MCG). Allotype LIBYA: ♀, ���Tombe a Nord di Cirene / Cirenaica, 27.IV.1967, G. Dellacasa & P. Maifredi / Museo Civico di Genova / Blaps polychresta ssp. effeminata Soldati, Allotype ��� (MCG). Paratypes LIBYA: 17 spec., ���Cirene, Cir. 7.6.1936 R.e C. Koch��� (HNHM); 16 spec., same data as holotype and allotype (MCG); 1 ♂, ���18.IV.1968,Apollonia, Cirena��que, Libye, D. Seiler leg.��� (CS); 2 ♂♂, ���Cyrenaika, Cirene, Wohlb. 4.34��� (CS); 1 ♀, ���Tombe a Nord di Cirene / Cirenaica, 27.IV.1967, G. Dellacasa & P. Maifredi��� (CS). Other material (13 specimens, HNHM; 8 specimens, MCG) LIBYA: Cyrene, E Libya, (HNHM); Sho-Hat (HNHM); Al Baida, 32��38.047��� N, 21��47.425��� E (MCG); Al Qubbah, Cyrene, Marsa (Tobruch) (MCG); Uadi el Magrum, E Libya, 15 km W of Tobruch (MCG); Uadi Pescara, E Libya, 16 km W of Tobruch (MCG). Description Length: 26.0���43.0 mm; width: 12.0���15.0 mm. Dull black. Oval-oblong, elongated (Fig. 1A���C). Elytra costulated. Upper surface covered with very fne and sparse punctures, progressively denser from elytra to head. HEAD. Clypeus arcuately emarginated, with lateral angles protruding frontwards, clypeo-labial membrane slightly visible. Clypeo-frontal suture reduced to thin, superfcially engraved glossy line. Middle of frons (disc) with faint, generally obliterated, transverse depression. Mentum transverse, punctate, with anterior third sloping toward anterior edge. Gula microshagreened, dull. Labium triangularly emarginated in middle of front edge. ANTENNAE. Long and slender, reaching pronotal base when directed backwards (Fig. 1D). PRONOTUM. Broadest in its middle, sides more strongly narrowed toward base than forward, not or barely sinuous before posterior angles and arcuately narrowed frontwards. Anterior angles rounded. Posterior angles blunt. External rim fne, complete on lateral margins, but obliterated in middle of front edge and base. Disc convex. Punctation fne, uniform. Carina of anterior foramen of pronotum thick and neckshaped below. Episternum of prosternum wrinkled near coxae and lighter toward margins. Prosternal apophysis oblique or steep and upright towards apex, S-shaped, just behind anterior coxae, then shortly denticulate in middle at apex. ELYTRA. Ovoid, broadest around its middle, fat on disc. Upper surface leathery and covered with extremely fne and sparse punctures. Elytra costulate. Each elytron bearing 10 costae, alternate ones (3-5-7-9) slightly higher than others. Pseudopleural carina only visible on anterior half (in ♂♂ and ♀♀) from above, because of transversal convexity of elytra. Caudal extension at apex of elytra (mucro) measuring between 2.0 and 4.0 mm. Seen from above, right, parallel: deep suture fanked by two thick, transversely wrinkled ribs, which end in acute angular gap (Fig. 1E). In lateral view, mucro narrow, elongated, progressively narrowed to apex (Fig. 1F) and often bent upwards. Below, mucro grooveshaped, with external edges blurred and bottom transversally wrinkled. ABDOMEN. Ventrites heavily wrinkled-punctate; anal ventrite fnely and densely punctate, transversally impressed on disc, external rim complete and fne. LEGS. Long and slender. Protibiae with internal face sinuous, external one straight in males; similar but less pronounced in females. Outer and posterior face of protibiae and posterior face of mesotibiae superfcially grooved. Mesotibiae almost straight. Tarsi long, slender. SEXUAL DIMORPHISM. In males, no tuft of bristles between ventrites 1 and 2, and presence of light callosity near base of intercoxal process of ventrite 1. This callosity reduced to short transverse strip, with some longitudinal and oblique folds on front side, and coarse transversal wrinkles behind. In lateral view posterior declivity of elytra steeper in females. Mucro longer in males (3.5���4.0 mm) than in females (2.0��� 2.5 mm) (Fig. 1E, G). In males, rear edges of median and especially hind tibiae strongly denticulated. In males, metatibiae straight and fat on inner face; less pronounced in females. AEDEAGUS. Parameres widely open, subcordiform, on sternal face (Fig. 1H) with apex triangular. In lateral view (Fig. 1I), parameres very thick and parallel, then abruptly narrowed at apex. Bionomics Most known specimens were collected in antique ruins between April and October. Distribution Libya. This species appears to be endemic to the eastern part of Libya (formerly known as Cyrenaica). Remarks This species belongs to the Blaps gigas species group (sensu Condamine et al. 2011). It is morphologically close to Blaps polychresta Forsk��l, 1775 from Egypt, from which it differs by: (i) its stronger elytral costulation, especially on the disc; (ii) the absence of the abdominal hair tuft in males (between ventrites 1 and 2); (iii) in males, the presence of a very reduced abdominal callosity located near the base of the intercoxal process of ventrite 1. In Eastern Libya, Blaps effeminata sp. nov. can also be confounded with other species of Blaps with costulate elytra, namely B. bifurcata Solier, 1848, B. doderoi Schuster, 1922, B. nitens laportei Ardoin, 1973, B. rhumeri Seidlitz, 1893, B. sulcifera Seidlitz, 1893 and B. wiedemannii Solier, 1848. In Blaps bifurcata, B. nitens laportei, B. rhumeri and B. sulcifera, the mentum is longitudinaly impressed in the middle, with the front edge emarginated. In Blaps doderoi and B. wiedemannii, the antennae are shorter (reaching only �� of pronotal length when directed backwards), the abdominal ventrites are much less densely punctuated, the mucro is shorter and much less narrow, the male abdominal callosity is high and rearward, and males exhibit a yellow hair tuft between ventrites 1 and 2., Published as part of Laurent Soldati, Fabien L. Condamine, Anne-Laure Clamens & Gael J. Kergoat, 2017, Documenting tenebrionid diversity: progress on Blaps Fabricius (Coleoptera, Tenebrionidae, Tenebrioninae, Blaptini) systematics, with the description of Fve new species, pp. 1-29 in European Journal of Taxonomy 282 on pages 6-9, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2017.282, http://zenodo.org/record/889613, {"references":["Condamine F. L., Soldati L., Rasplus J. - Y. & Kergoat G. J. 2011. New insights on systematics and phylogenetics of Mediterranean Blaps species (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae: Blaptini), assessed through morphology and dense taxon sampling. Systematic Entomology 36: 340 - 361. http: // dx. doi. org / 10.1111 /j. 1365 - 3113.2010.00567. x","Solier M. 1848. Essai de classifcation des Collapterides Blapsites. In: Baudi F. & Truqui E. (eds) Studi Entomologici 1: 1 - 376. Torino.","Ardoin P. 1973 Contribution a l'etude des Tenebrionidae (Coleoptera) de Sardaigne. Annales de la Societe Entomologique de France, N. S. 9: 257 - 307.","Seidlitz G. C. M. von. 1893. Naturgeschichte der Insekten Deutschlands. Erste Abteilung, Coleoptera, 1896 Edition. Nicolaische Verlags-Buchhandlung, Berlin."]}

Chariotheca cuprina (Fairmaire, 1849) Olisthaena cuprina Fairmaire, 1849: 451. MATERIAL EXAMINED. — Vanuatu. Espiritu Santo Isl., Luganville, CETRAV in Saraoutou, ecotone between dense rainforest and coffee tree plantation, under bark, 2-10.X.2006, leg. L. Soldati, 2 ♂♂ (MNHN), 1 ♂ (coll. LS). DISTRIBUTION. — Originally described from Wallis Island and known from the Fiji Islands (Kaszab 1955), this species also occurs in Vanikoro (Solomon Islands) and in Santo (Vanuatu)., Published as part of Soldati, Laurent, Kergoat, Gael J. & Condamine, Fabien L., 2012, Preliminary report on the Tenebrionidae (Insecta, Coleoptera) collected during the SANTO 2006 expedition to Vanuatu, with description of a new species of the genus Uloma Dejean, 1821, pp. 305-317 in Zoosystema 34 (2) on page 313, DOI: 10.5252/z2012n2a8, http://zenodo.org/record/5165431, {"references":["FAIRMAIRE L. 1849. - Essai sur les coleopteres de la Polynesie (suite). Revue et Magasin de Zoologie pure et appliquee (2) 1: 445 - 460.","KASZAB Z. 1955. - Tenebrioniden der Fiji-Inseln. Proceedings of the Hawaiian Entomological Society 15: 423 - 563."]}

Diphyrrhynchus halorageos (Montrouzier, 1860) Acanthosternus halorageos Montrouzier, 1860: 290. MATERIAL EXAMINED. — Vanuatu. Espiritu Santo Isl., Luganville, Surunda beach, seashore, 8.X.2006, leg. L. Soldati, 10 ♂♂, 24 ♀♀ (MNHN), 2 ♂♂, 2 ♀♀ (coll. LS). — Espiritu Santo Isl., Big Bay, Matantas, Vatthe Area Conservation, 12-17.X.2006, leg. L. Soldati, 2 ♂♂, 3 ♀♀ (MNHN). DISTRIBUTION. — New Caledonia, Loyalty Islands, île des Pins, Vanuatu and Australia (Kaszab 1982b). REMARKS As its specific epithet suggests, this little nocturnal darkling beetle lives in the coastal sand and hides during the day at the base of Haloragis prostrata J. R. Forst. & G. Forst., Published as part of Soldati, Laurent, Kergoat, Gael J. & Condamine, Fabien L., 2012, Preliminary report on the Tenebrionidae (Insecta, Coleoptera) collected during the SANTO 2006 expedition to Vanuatu, with description of a new species of the genus Uloma Dejean, 1821, pp. 305-317 in Zoosystema 34 (2) on page 308, DOI: 10.5252/z2012n2a8, http://zenodo.org/record/5165431, {"references":["MONTROUZIER P. 1860. - Essai sur la faune entomologique de Nouvelle-Caledonie (Balade) et des iles des Pins, Art, Lifu, etc. Annales de la Societe entomologique de France (3 e Serie) VIII: 229 - 308.","KASZAB Z. 1982 b. - Die Tenebrioniden Neukaledoniens und der Loyaute-Inseln (Coleoptera), Folia Entomologica Hungarica 43 (2): 1 - 294."]}

Amarygmus hydrophiloides Fairmaire, 1849 Amarygmus hydrophiloides Fairmaire, 1849: 450. MATERIAL EXAMINED. — Vanuatu. Espiritu Santo Isl., CETRAV Arboretum, beating shrubs, 5.X.2006, leg. L. Soldati 1 ♂ and 3 other ex.(sex unknown) (MNHN). — Espiritu Santo Isl., littoral forest of Saraoutou, 9.X.2006, on a dead trunk, leg. L. Soldati, 3 ex. (MNHN), 2ex. (coll. LS) (sex unknown). DISTRIBUTION. — One of the most common species of Amarygmus in the Papuan and Polynesian regions, it was first described by Fairmaire (1849) from Wallis and the Tonga-Tabou islands., Published as part of Soldati, Laurent, Kergoat, Gael J. & Condamine, Fabien L., 2012, Preliminary report on the Tenebrionidae (Insecta, Coleoptera) collected during the SANTO 2006 expedition to Vanuatu, with description of a new species of the genus Uloma Dejean, 1821, pp. 305-317 in Zoosystema 34 (2) on page 308, DOI: 10.5252/z2012n2a8, http://zenodo.org/record/5165431, {"references":["FAIRMAIRE L. 1849. - Essai sur les coleopteres de la Polynesie (suite). Revue et Magasin de Zoologie pure et appliquee (2) 1: 445 - 460."]}

Bradymerus costatus (Fairmaire, 1849) Bolitophagus costatus Fairmaire, 1849: 421, pl. 11, figs 1, 2. MATERIAL EXAMINED. — Vanuatu. Espiritu Santo Isl., Luganville, CETRAV in Saraoutou, 1-11.X.2006, at night with a headlamp, on decaying trunk of an old mango tree (Mangifera indica), leg. L. Soldati, 2 ♂♂, 1 ♀ (MNHN), 2 ♂♂, 1 ♀ (coll. LS); same data, but 18-20.X.2006, 2 ♂♂, 2 ♀♀ (MNHN), 2 ♂♂, 2 ♀♀ (coll. LS). DISTRIBUTION. — Originally described from Wallis Island, this species is also present in the Fiji Islands (Kaszab 1955). First record for Vanuatu., Published as part of Soldati, Laurent, Kergoat, Gael J. & Condamine, Fabien L., 2012, Preliminary report on the Tenebrionidae (Insecta, Coleoptera) collected during the SANTO 2006 expedition to Vanuatu, with description of a new species of the genus Uloma Dejean, 1821, pp. 305-317 in Zoosystema 34 (2) on page 312, DOI: 10.5252/z2012n2a8, http://zenodo.org/record/5165431, {"references":["FAIRMAIRE L. 1849. - Essai sur les coleopteres de la Polynesie (suite). Revue et Magasin de Zoologie pure et appliquee (2) 1: 445 - 460.","KASZAB Z. 1955. - Tenebrioniden der Fiji-Inseln. Proceedings of the Hawaiian Entomological Society 15: 423 - 563."]}

Bradymerus lobicollis Gebien, 1920 Bradymerus lobicollis Gebien, 1920: 240, figs 14, 15. MATERIAL EXAMINED. — Vanuatu. Espiritu Santo Isl., Luganville, CETRAV in Saraoutou, ecotone between dense rainforest and coffee tree plantation, beating dead branches, 2-10.X.2006, leg. L. Soldati, 2 ♂♂, 1 ♀ (MNHN), 1 ♂, 1♀ (coll. LS). DISTRIBUTION. — New Guinea and Samoa Islands (Kaszab 1955), this species also occurs in the Solomon Islands. First record for Vanuatu., Published as part of Soldati, Laurent, Kergoat, Gael J. & Condamine, Fabien L., 2012, Preliminary report on the Tenebrionidae (Insecta, Coleoptera) collected during the SANTO 2006 expedition to Vanuatu, with description of a new species of the genus Uloma Dejean, 1821, pp. 305-317 in Zoosystema 34 (2) on page 312, DOI: 10.5252/z2012n2a8, http://zenodo.org/record/5165431, {"references":["GEBIEN H. 1920. - Coleoptera Tenebrionidae, in Nova Guinea, Resultats de l'expedition scientifique neerlandaise a la Nouvelle-Guinee, vol. XIII, Zoologie, livre 3. Librairie et Imprimerie E. J. Brill, Leiden: 213 - 500.","KASZAB Z. 1955. - Tenebrioniden der Fiji-Inseln. Proceedings of the Hawaiian Entomological Society 15: 423 - 563."]}

Platydema simbangense Kaszab, 1939 Platydema simbangense Kaszab, 1939: 197. MATERIAL EXAMINED. — Vanuatu. Espiritu Santo Isl., Luganville, CETRAV in Saraoutou, ecotone between dense rainforest and coffee tree plantation, beating dead branches covered with fungi, 2-10.X.2006, leg. L. Soldati, 4 ♂♂ (MNHN), 4 ♂♂ (coll. LS). — Espiritu Santo Isl., Butmas, rainforest, 21.X.2006, leg. L. Soldati, 1 ♂ (MNHN), 1 ♀ (coll. LS). DISTRIBUTION. — New Guinea (type locality Simbang), Solomon Island (Schawaller 2008) and Vanuatu (new record)., Published as part of Soldati, Laurent, Kergoat, Gael J. & Condamine, Fabien L., 2012, Preliminary report on the Tenebrionidae (Insecta, Coleoptera) collected during the SANTO 2006 expedition to Vanuatu, with description of a new species of the genus Uloma Dejean, 1821, pp. 305-317 in Zoosystema 34 (2) on page 307, DOI: 10.5252/z2012n2a8, http://zenodo.org/record/5165431, {"references":["KASZAB Z. 1939 - Tenebrioniden aus Neu-Guinea. Nova Guinea n. s. 3: 186 - 267.","SCHAWALLER W. 2008. - The species of Platydema Laporte & Brulle (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) from New Guinea and the Moluccan Islands, with description of 11 new species. Stuttgarter Beitrage zur Naturkunde, n. s. 1: 413 - 429."]}