Beron P. (ed.). Biodiversity of 4. Biodiversity of Western Rhodopes (Bulgaria and Greece) II. Pensoft & Nat. Mus. Natur. Hist.,

A study of the Pselaphinae (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae) in the (Bulgaria)

Rostislav BEKCHIEV

Bekchiev R. 2011. A study of the Pselaphinae (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae) in the Rhodope Mountains (Bulgaria). In: Beron P. (ed.) Biodiversity of Bulgaria. 4. Biodiversity of Western Rhodopes (Bulgaria and Greece) II. Pensoft & Nat. Mus. Natur. Hist. Sofia, 267-278.

Abstract: Fifty species from subfamily Pselaphinae (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae) from the Rhodope Mountains are reported. Four of them (Plectophloeus nubigena, Trimium graecum, Eu- plectus punctatus, Pygoxyon sp.) are new for the Bulgarian fauna. The genus Pygoxyon Reitter, 1881 is reported as a new species for the Bulgarian fauna.

Key words: Pselaphinae, faunistics, Rhodopes Мountain, Bulgaria

Introduction

Subfamily Pselaphinae (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae) is poorly investigated in Bulgaria. The extent, to which it has been studied, is probably below 50 % (Hubenov, 2005). So far about 125 species have been reported in Bulgaria (Löbl & Besuchet, 2004, Hlaváč & al., 2007; Besuchet & Bekchiev, 2007; Bekchiev, 2008). Respectively, only 10 species have been known for the Rhodope Mountains. The first data from this massif was given by Маřan (1936), and later on, data for the region were provided by Karaman (1948, 1969, 1972), Besuchet (1999), Besuchet & Sabella (1999) and Hlaváč & al. (2007).

Materials and methods

The present paper summarizes all records for this subfamily which are present in the literature. It includes also unpublished data from the collections of the Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle de Genève, the Museum für Naturkunde der Humboldt – Universität, Berlin, and the privates collections of Peter Hlaváč (Slovakia) and Albena Gjonova (Bulgaria). The material collected by the author during his expeditions in the Rhodope Mountains, carried out mainly in 2005 – 2009, is also included. The materials are deposed in the collection of the National Museum of Natural History, Sofia. 268 R. BEKCHIEV

The specimens were collected sifting leaf, soil and death wood litter. The collected material was placed in a Tullgren or Winkler – Moczarski extractor. Samples were also obtained by hand turning stones and tree bark. All individuals were pinned and the aedeagus of the male specimens were mounted following the procedure explained by Besuchet (1957). The general distribution of the species is given in alphabetical order from the catalogue of Löbl & Besuchet (2004). Abbreviations: MHNG – Musée d’Histoire Naturelle de Genève; NMNHS – National Museum of Natural History, Sofia; ZMHB – Museum für Naturkunde der Humboldt – Universität, Berlin PCPH – collection Peter Hlaváč, Košice; PCAG – collection Albena Gjonova, Sofia; ER – Eastern Rhodopes; WR – Western Rhodopes.

Results and discussion

List of species Faronus parallelus Besuchet, 1958 Records: ER: Town, forest of Quercus sp., in leaf litter, 170 m, 14.04.2007, 1 ♀, leg. R. Bekchiev; Ivailovgrad District, Meden buk Village, 230 m, in leaf litter, 04.05.2009, 1 ♂, leg. R. Bekchiev (NMNHS). Distribution: Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Cyprus, Israel, Lebanon and Turkey. Delenda carthago Croissandeau, 1891 Records: ER: near Madzharovo Town, bank of River, in rotten wood of Quercus sp., 310 m, 20-24.04.2000, 1 ♀, leg. S. Vit (MHNG); Ivailovgrad District, Plevun Village, 490 m, in leaf litter of Quercus sp., 13.05.2009, 1 ♀, leg. R. Bekchiev (NMNHS). Distribution: Bulgaria, Turkey. Bibloporus bicolor Denny, 1825 Records: WR: Batak Town env., above Nova mahala Village, Kupena Rezerve, Gaijtancha place, under bark of Picea abies (L.), 1000 m, 26.05.2008, 1 ♂, 2 ♀♀, leg. R. Bekchiev (NMNHS). Distribution: Europe, Asia (Russia – Far East) Euplectus punctatus Mulsant et Rey, 1861 Records: WR: Town env., Kupena Rezerve, Tretata vrata place, under bark of Pinus sylvestris L. 1045 m, 02.05.2006, 1 ♀, leg. R. Bekchiev; above Nova mahala Village, Kupena Rezerve, Gaijtancha place, under bark of Picea abies (L.), 1000 m, 26.05.2008, 2 ♂♂, leg. R. Bekchiev (NMNHS). Distribution: Europe, Asia (Russia – East Siberia; Far East). Euplectus bonvouloiri naretinus Reitter, 1882 Records: ER: near Madzharovo Town, bank of Arda River, in rotten wood, 310 m, 20-24.04.2000, 1 ♂, 1 ♀, leg. S. Vit (MHNG). Distribution: Central and Eastern Europe. A study of the Pselaphinae (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae) in the Rhodopes 269

Euplectus frivaldszkyi Saulcy, 1878 Records: WR: Peshtera Town, Kupena Reserve, place Mazar dere, rotten wood of Fagus sylvatica L., 1200 m, 08.10.2005, 1 ♀, leg. R. Bekchiev; Kupena Reserve, place Tretata vrata, in rotten wood, 1045 m, 31.07.2006, 1 ♀, leg. R. Kostova (NMNHS). Distribution: Central and Eastern Europe. Euplectus karstenii (Reichenbach, 1816) Records: ER: Madzharovo Town region, bank of a lake near to Borislavtsi Village, in rotten wood of Salix sp., 310 m, 26.04.2000, 1 ♂, leg. S. Vit (MHNG); Madzharovo Town, bank of Arda River, in old trunk, 120 m, 14.04.2007, 5 ♂♂, 5 ♀♀, leg. R. Bekchiev (NMNHS). WR: 3 km of Batak Town, Cigov chark, dam like bank of Batak, under bark of Populus sp., 1115 m, 26.05.2008, 1 ♂, 1 ♀, leg. R. Bekchiev (NMNHS). Distribution: Europe, Asia, North Africa. Euplectus kirbii Denny, 1825 Records: ER: near Madzharovo Town, bank of Arda River, 310 m, 20-24.04.2000, 1 ♀; bank of a lake near to Borislavtsi Village, in rotten wood of Salix sp., 26.04.2000, 9 ♂♂, 7 ♀♀, leg. S. Vit (MHNG); bank of Arda, in rotten wood of Populus sp., 14.04.2008, 1 ♂, 3 ♀♀, leg. R. Bekchiev (NMNHS). WR: District, Koshnitsa Village, near Uhlovitsa Cave, in rotten wood, 850 m, 15.05.2005, 1 ♂; between Gorno Fatovo Village and Polkovnik SerafimovoV illage, 900 m, 31.05.2005, 1 ♀, leg. R. Bekchiev; 3 km of Batak Town, Cigov chark, bank of Dam of Batak, under bark of Populus sp., 1115 m, 26.05.2008, 1 ♀, leg. R. Bekchiev (NMNHS). Distribution: Europe. Plectophloeus nitidus (Fairmaire, 1858) Records: ER; near Madzharovo Town, hollow in Populus sp., rotten wood, 310 m, 28-29.04.2000, 1 ♀, leg. S. Vit (MHNG). Distribution: Europe, Asia (Turkey, Iran). Plectophloeus fischeri(Aubé, 1833) Records: WR: Smolyan District, Gela Village, in rotten wood of Picea abies L., 1500 m, 29.05.2005, 2 ♂♂, leg. R. Bekchiev (NMNHS). Distribution: Europe. Plectophloeus nubigena (Reitter, 1877) Records: WR: Batak Town, above mountain resort , Mantaritsa Reserve, place Skelite, in rotten wood of P. abies L., 1300 m, 02.08.2005, 1 ♂, leg. R. Kostova; Peshtera Town, Kupena Reserve, place Tretata vrata, in rotten wood of old tree, 1045 m, 16.06.2006, 2 ♂♂, 1 ♀, leg. R. Bekchiev (NMNHS). Distribution: Europe, Asia (Turkey, Iran). Bibloplectus parvulus Besuchet, 1975 Records: ER: Madzharovo Town region, bank of a lake near to Borislavtsi Village, in leaf litter, 310 m, 26.04.2000, 1 ♂, leg. S. Vit (MHNG). Distribution: Bulgaria, Greece, Turkey. 270 R. BEKCHIEV

Trimium puncticeps Reitter, 1880 Records: ER: near Madzharovo Town, bank of Arda River, rotten wood of Salix sp., 310 m, 20-24.04.2000, 1 ♂, 9 ♀♀; bank of a lake near to Borislavtsi Village, 26.04.2000, 1 ♀, leg. S. Vit (MHNG). WR: Bachkovo Village, Chervena stena Reserve, in leaf litter of Fagus sylvatica L., 500 m, 02.06.2005, 2 ♂♂, leg. R. Bekchiev; 8 km of Town, near Lepenitsa Cave, leaf litter of F. sylvatica in the entrance of the cave, 975 m, 22.08.2008, 1 ♂, leg. R. Bekchiev (NMNHS). Distribution: Albania, Bosnia Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Hungary, , Moldavia, Romania. Trimium graecum Karaman, 1969 Records: ER: near Madzharovo Town, bank of Arda River, 310 m, 20-24.04.2000, 15 ♀♀, leg. S. Vit (MHNG). Distribution: Greece. Trimium carpathicum Saulcy, 1875 Records: WR: District, Sarnitsa Village, nest of а Formica rufa L., 09.05.2003, 1 ♂, leg. D. Gradinarov; Smolyan District, Polkovnik SerafimovoV illage, in leaf litter of Fagus sylvatica, 700 m, 06.05.2002, 3 ♂♂; 23.09.2006, 3 ♂♂, 2 ♀♀; between Gorno Fatovo Village and Polkovnik SerafimovoV illage, 900 m, 31.05.2005, 9 ♂♂; Koshnitsa Village, near Uhlovitsa Cave, in leaf litter of F. sylvatica, 850 m, 13.10.2007, 1 ♂; Peshtera Town, Kupena Reserve, place Mazar dere, in leaf litter of F. sylvatica, 1200 m, 02.10.2006, 1 ♂, 2 ♀♀, leg. R. Bekchiev (NMNHS). Distribution: Central and Eastern Europe. Trichonyx sulcicollis (Reichenbach, 1816) Records: ER: Madzharovo Town, bank of Arda River, in rotten wood of Populus sp., 310 m, 20-24.04.2000, 1 ♀, leg. S. Vit (MHNG). Distribution: Europe. Bryaxis simoni (Reitter, 1880) Records: WR: Smolyan District, mountain resort , 1750 m , 02.07.1966, 2 ♂♂, 1 ♀, leg. K. Emrisch (ZMHB); 12.04.1989, 43 ♂♂, 15 ♀♀, leg. C. Besuchet (MHNG); Town, 12.04.1989, 1 ♂, 1 ♀, leg. C. Besuchet (MHNG); Gela Village, P. abies forest, in mousse, 1500 m, 29.05.2005, 2 ♂♂; Koshnitsa Village, near Uhlovitsa Cave, in leaf litter of F. sylvatica, 850 m, 23.09.2006, 2 ♂♂; Smolyan District, near Trigrad Village, 900m, 11.04.1989, 1 ♀, leg. C. Besuchet (MHNG); between mountain resort Pamporovo and Chepelare Town, 1400 m, 12.04.1989, 55 ♂♂, 40 ♀♀, leg. C. Besuchet (MHNG); Chepelare Town, near natural phenomenon Chudnite mostove, in leaf litter under rock, 1450 m, 02.05.2005, 1 ♂, 5 ♀♀; Batak Town, above mountain resort Tsigov chark, Mantaritsa Reserve, place Skelite, in rotten wood and leaf litter, 1300 m, 02.08.2005, 12 ♂♂, 13 ♀♀; Velingrad District, Village, Mantaritsa Reserve, place Pashino bardo, in rotten wood and leaf litter, 1300 m, 04.08.2005, 12 ♂♂, 5 ♀♀; 09.10.2005, 4 ♂♂, 7 ♀♀; 15.06.2006, 1 ♂; 03.10.2006, 13 ♂♂, 27 ♀♀; Peshtera Town, Kupena Reserve, place Mazar dere, in leaf litter of F. A study of the Pselaphinae (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae) in the Rhodopes 271 sylvatica, 1200 m, 08.10.2005, 1 ♂; 02.10.2006, 6 ♂♂, 2 ♀♀, leg. R. Bekchiev; Batak Town, NW slope of Batashki Snezhnik Peak, 1550 – 1700 m, in F. sylvatica, P. abies leaf litter, 01.07.2006, 1 ♂, leg. B. Petrov, P. Stoev (NMNHS). Distribution: Bosnia Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Greece, Macedonia, ex Yugoslavia (present Montenegro and Serbia). Bryaxis convexus (Kiesenwetter, 1858) Records: ER: near Madzharovo Town, bank of Arda River, 310 m, 20-24.04.2000, 1 ♂, leg. S. Vit (MHNG); District, Egrek Village, in leaf litter of Quercus sp., near the road, 500 m, 7.11.1999, 1 ♂, leg. B. Petrov, S. Bechkov, D. Vassilev (NMNHS); District, Kremena Village, in rotten wood and leaf litter, 400 m, 17.09.2006, 1 ♂, leg. R. Bekchiev, P. Stoev (NMNHS). Distribution: Albania, Bulgaria, Macedonia, Greece. Bryaxis roumaniae Raffray, 1904 Records: ER: Momchilgrad District, Drangovo Village – Karadzhovska mahala, valley of little river, in leaf litter, 560 m, 17.09.2006, 1 ♂, 1 ♀, leg. R. Bekchiev, P. Stoev (NMNHS); Kremen Village, 430 m, in leaf litter of Quercus sp., 20.07.2009, 2 ♂♂, leg. R. Bekchiev WR: Smolyan District, near Trigrad Village, 900 m, 11.06.1989, 1 ♂, 1 ♀, leg. C. Besuchet (MHNG); between mountain resort Pamporovo and Chepelare Town, 1400 m, 12.06.1989, 1 ♂, leg. C. Besuchet, (MHNG); Peshtera Town, Kupena Reserve, place Mazar dere, in leaf litter of F. sylvatica, 1200 m, 08.10.2005, 1 ♂; 02.10.2006, 1 ♂, 2 ♀♀; near Snezhanka Cave, in leaf litter of F. sylvatica, 16.06.2006, 1 ♂; right bank of Novomahlenska River, above Ubileina Cave, in leaf litter, 400 – 500 m, 25.05.2008, 2 ♂♂, 2 ♀♀, leg. R. Bekchiev; Smolyan District, Polkovnik SerafimovoV illage, in leaf litter of F. sylvatica, 800 m, 10.08.2002, 1 ♀; 23.09.2006, 1 ♂; Smilyan Village, in leaf litter of F. sylvatica, 800 m, 23.09.2006, 1 ♂, leg. R. Bekchiev; Peshtera Town env., near Snezhanka Hut, in leaf litter, 400 – 600 m, 24.05.2008, 1 ♂, leg. R. Bekchiev (NMNHS). Distribution: Bulgaria, Greece, Romania, exYugoslavia (present Montenegro and Serbia). Bryaxis curtisii orientalis (Karaman, 1952) WR: Lepenitsa, Zabardo (Karaman, 1969). Records: WR: Smolyan District, near Trigrad Village, in leaf litter, 900 m, 11.04.1989, 2 ♂♂, 5 ♀♀, leg. C. Besuchet (MHNG); Smolyan District, Koshnitsa Village, near Uhlovitsa Cave, in leaf litter of F. sylvatica, 850 m, 01.05.2005, 1 ♂; 23.09.2006, 9 ♂♂; 14.07.2007, 4 ♂♂, 7 ♀♀; 13.10.2007, 1 ♂, 1 ♀, leg. R. Bekchiev; Chepelare Town, near natural phenomenon Chudnite mostove, in leaf litter under rock, 1450 m, 02.05.2005, 1 ♂, leg. R. Bekchiev; Hvoina Village, in bank of Chaia River, old alluvium, 668 m, 15.07.2007, 3 ♂♂, 4 ♀♀, leg. R. Bekchiev; 3 km of Batak Town, Cigov chark, dam lаke bank of Batak, under bark of Populus sp., 1115 m, 26.05.2008, 2 ♂♂, leg. R. Bekchiev; above Nova mahala Village, Kupena Rezerve, Gaijtancha place, in leaf litter of Salix sp., 18-19.07.2008, 2 ♂♂, leg. R. Bekchiev; Peshtera Town, right bank of Novomahlenska river, above Ubileina Cave, in leaf litter, 400 – 500 m, 25.05.2008, 1 ♂, leg. R. Bekchiev (NMNHS). Distribution: Central and Eastern Europe. 272 R. BEKCHIEV

Bryaxis rodopensis Karaman, 1972 WR: Lepenitsa (Karaman, 1972). Distribution: Bulgaria. Bryaxis islamitus (Reitter, 1885) Records: ER: District, Ostrovitsa Cave, 13.10.1996, 1 ♂, leg. B. Petrov (NMNHS). WR: Smolyan District, Koshnitsa Village, near Uhlovitsa Cave, in leaf litter of F. sylvatica, 850 m, 01.05.2005, 1 ♂; 09.04.2007, 1 ♂; 13.10.2007, 1 ♂, 1 ♀; Gorno Fatovo Village, in leaf litter of F. sylvatica, 1100 m, 31.05.2005, 1 ♂, leg. R. Bekchiev (NMNHS). Distribution: Bosnia Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Greece, Macedonia, ex Yugoslavia (present Montenegro and Serbia). Note: The species is usually found in leaf litter close to wooden bank habitats.I t is the first record from a cave locality. Bryaxis nodicornis (Aubé, 1833) Records: WR: Devin District, Trigrad Village, in leaf litter, 1110 m, 16.04.2005, 1 ♂, leg. P. Stoev; Smolyan District, Polkovnik Serafimovo Village, in moss, 900 m, 1 ♂, 1 ♀, leg. R. Bekchiev (NMNHS). Distribution: Central Europe, Ukraine, Macedonia, Romania, ex Yugoslavia (present Montenegro and Serbia). Bythinus seidli Karaman, 1952 Records: WR: near Trigrad, Izvorsko defile, 27.06.1988, 1 ♂, leg. Raitchev (MHNG); between mountain resort Pamporovo and Chepelare Town, 1400 m, 12.06.1989, 8 ♂♂, 14 ♀♀, leg. C. Besuchet (MHNG); 8 km of Velingrad Town, near Lepenitsa Cave, leaf litter of F. sylvatica in the entrance of the cave, 975 m, 20.07.2008, 1 ♂, 8 ♀♀; 22.08.2008, 1 ♂, leg. R. Bekchiev; above Nova mahala Village, Kupena Rezerve, Gaijtancha place, in leaf litter of Salix sp., 1000 m, 19.07.2008, 1 ♂, 5 ♀♀, leg. R. Bekchiev (NMNHS); Smolyan District, Koshnitsa Village, near Uhlovitsa Cave, in leaf litter of F. sylvatica, 850 m, 28.05.2005, 1 ♂, leg. P. Hlaváč (PCPH). Distribution: Bulgaria, Romania, ex Yugoslavia (present Montenegro and Serbia). Bythinus leonhardinus Reitter, 1913 Records: ER: near Madzharovo Town, bank Arda River, 310 m, 20-24.04.2000, 3 ♂♂, 8 ♀♀; 28-29.04.2000, 2 ♂♂, 11 ♀♀; bank of a lake near to Borislavtsi Village, 310 m, 26.04.2000, 2 ♂♂, leg. S. Vit (MHNG); Madzharovo Town, bank of Arda River, in old alluvium, 120 m, 14.04.2007, 41 ♂♂, 24 ♀♀, leg. R. Bekchiev; Kirkovo Town, 340 m, in leaf litter, 05.05.2009, 1 ♂, 1 ♀, leg. R. Bekchiev (NMNHS). WR: Chepelare Town, crossroad Zabardo Village and natural phenomenon Chudnite mostove, bank Zabardska River, 1300 m, 02.05.2005, 4 ♂♂; Smolyan District, Koshnitsa Village, near cave Uhlovitsa, in leaf litter of F. sylvatica, 850 m, 28.05.2005, 2 ♂♂; Peshtera Town, Kupena Reserve, place Mazar dere, in leaf litter of F. sylvatica, 1200m, 03.08.2005, 2 ♂♂; Smolyan District, Polkovnik Serafimovo Village, in moss, 900 m, 10.04.2007, 1 ♂, 1 ♀, leg. R. Bekchiev (NMNHS). Distribution: Bulgaria, Macedonia, Greece. A study of the Pselaphinae (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae) in the Rhodopes 273

Bythinus acutangulus lunifer Karaman, 1948 WR: Bachkovo Village (Karaman, 1948, 1969). Records: ER: Kardzhali District, Perperek Village, in leaf litter, 252 m, 08.04.2009, 1 ♂, 5 ♀♀, leg. R. Bekchiev; WR: Chepinci Village, fern litter, 950 m, 01.06.2005, 1 ♂; Peshtera Town, Kupena Reserve, place Mazar dere, in leaf litter of F. sylvatica, 1200 m, 03.08.2005, 1 ♂; 08.10.2005, 1 ♂, leg. R. Bekchiev; right bank of Novomahlenska river, above Yubileyna Cave, in leaf litter, 400 – 500 m, 25.05.2008, 1 ♂, leg. R. Bekchiev (NMNHS). Distribution: Bulgaria Bythinus lunicornis Reitter, 1884 Records: WR: Smolyan District, Koshnitsa Village, near Uhlovitsa Cave, in leaf litter of F. sylvatica, 850 m, 13.10.2007, 1 ♂, leg. R. Bekchiev (NMNHS). Distribution: Bosnia Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Crete, Greece, Hungary, Macedonia, Romania, ex Yugoslavia (present Serbia and Montenegro). Bythinus hopffgarteniReitter, 1882 Records: WR: Smolyan District, Koshnitsa Village, near cave Uhlovitsa, in leaf litter of F. sylvatica, 850 m, 09.04.2007, 2 ♂♂, 1 ♀, leg. R. Bekchiev (NMNHS). Distribution: Bosnia Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Crete, Romania, ex Yugoslavia (present Serbia and Montenegro). Pygoxyon sp. Records: ER: Momchilgrad District, Kremena Village, Kremenska Peshtera Cave, under stones in clay, 07.11.1999, 1 ♂, 1 ♀, leg. B. Petrov, S. Beshkov, B. Vassilev (NMNHS). Note: It seems that both specimens examined belong to a new for the science species which due to lack of sufficient material will be object of further study. The new form differs from the other species of the genus by the following combination of characters: head elongated, postocular region with one dent without a cluster of setae, antennae with triarticulated club, head elongated, vertex with two distinct keels, encompassing a well pronounced protrusion, eyes passed by two smaller eels. The body hairs are relatively long, but the short setae amongst them are lacking. Tychus laminiger Besuchet, 1969 Records: ER: Madzharovo Town, forest of Quercus sp., under stone, 170 m, 14.04.2007, 1 ♂, leg. R. Bekchiev (NMNHS) Distribution: Greece, Ukraine – Crimea, Israel, Turkey. Tychus rhodopeus Besuchet et Sabella, 1999 ER: Kardzhali District, Tzviatovo Village (Besuchet & Sabella, 1999). Distribution: Bulgaria Tychus aphelbecki Karaman, 1955 Records: ER: near Madzharovo Town, bank of a lake near to Borislavtsi Village, 310 m, 26.04. 2000, 1 ♂; 28 – 29.04.2000, 2 ♂♂, leg. S.Vit (MHNG); Madzharovo Town, bank of Arda River, in old alluvium, 120 m, 14.04.2007, 1 ♂, 2 ♀♀, leg. R. Bekchiev; 274 R. BEKCHIEV

Krumovgrad District, Oreshari Village, bank of Arda River, old alluvium, 15.04.2007, 1 ♂, 2 ♀♀; Gnezdovo Village, 08.04.2009, 2 ♂♂, 1 ♀, leg. R. Bekchiev (NMNHS). WR: Hvoina Village, in bank of Chaia River, old alluvium, 668 m, 15.07.2007, 1 ♂, leg. R. Bekchiev (NMNHS). Distribution: Bosnia Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Crete, Greece, ex Yugoslavia (present Montenegro and Serbia), Turkey. Brachygluta fossulata (Reichenbach 1816) Records: WR: Smolyan District, Polkovnik Serafimovo Village, in moss, 900 m, 10.04.2007, 2 ♂♂; 28.04-05.05.2008, 1 ♀; Smolyan District, Koshnitsa Village, near Uhlovitsa Cave, in leaf litter of F. sylvatica, 850 m, 13.10.2007, 1 ♀, leg. R. Bekchiev (NMNHS). Distribution: entire Europe, Asia (Russia – East and West Siberia, Turkey). Brachygluta trigonoprocta (Ganglbauer, 1895) Records: ER: Madzharovo Town, bank of Arda River, in old alluvium, 120 m, 14.04.2007, 3 ♂♂, 40 ♀♀, leg. R. Bekchiev; Kardzhali District, Perperek Village, 08.04.2009, 3 ♂♂, 4 ♀♀, leg. R. Bekchiev (NMNHS). Distribution: Albania, Austria, Bosnia Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Crete, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, Ukraine, ex Yugoslavia (present Montenegro and Serbia). Trissemus atennatus serricornis (Schmidt-Göbel, 1838) Records: ER: Madzharovo Town, bank of Arda River, in old alluvium, 120 m, 14.04.2007, 1 ♂, 1 ♀, leg. R. Bekchiev; Kardzhali District, Perperek Village, 08.04.2009, 3 ♂♂, 6 ♀♀, leg. R. Bekchiev (NMNHS). Distribution: Europe (Albania, Austria, Bosnia Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czeh Republic, Germany, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Slovenia, Russia – South European territory, ex – Yugoslavia (present Montenegro and Serbia), Asia (Turkey). Rybaxis longicornis (Leach, 1817) Records: ER: Krumovgrad District, Oreshari Village, bank of Arda River, old alluvium, 15.04.2007, 1 ♀, leg. R. Bekchiev; Kardzhali District, Perperek Village, 08.04.2009, 1 ♂, leg. R. Bekchiev (NMNHS). Note: Common species, known for Europe, North Africa (Algeria, Morocco, Tunis) and Asia (Afganistan, Iran, Iraq, Russia- East Siberia, Tadzhikistan, Turkmenistan, Turkey, Uzbekistan). Batrisodes oculatus (Aubé, 1833) Records: ER: near Madzharovo Town, bank of Arda River, in hollow of Populus sp., rotten wood, 310 m, 20-24.04.2000, 1 ♂, 4 ♀♀; 28-29.04.2000, 1 ♀, leg. S. Vit (MHNG); 14.04.2007, 1 ♂, 3 ♀♀, leg. R. Bekchiev (NMNHS). Distribution: Europe; Asia (Turkey). Batrisodes bugueti (Aubé, 1833) Records: ER: Madzharovo Town region, side of a lake near to Borislavtsi Village, in rotten wood of Salix sp., 310 m, 26.04.2000, 3 ♀♀, leg. S. Vit (MHNG). WR: Peshtera Town, above Snezhanka Cave, in hollow of F. sylvatica, rotten wood, A study of the Pselaphinae (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae) in the Rhodopes 275 with Lasius brunneus (Latraille, 1798), 492 m, 20.07.2008, 1 ♂, 2 ♀♀, leg. R. Bekchiev (NMNHS). Distribution: Europe; Asia (Turkey). Batrisodes venustus (Reichenbach, 1816) Records: WR: Peshtera Town, Kupena Reserve, place Tretata vrata, in rotten wood, 1045 m, 02.05.2006, 2 ♂♂, 3 ♀♀; 16.06.2006, 1 ♂, leg. R. Bekchiev (NMNHS). Distribution: Europe. Batrisus formicarius Aubé, 1833 Records: WR: Peshtera Town, above Snezhanka Cave, in hollow of F. sylvatica, rotten wood, 492 m, 16.06.2006, 1 ♀, leg. R. Bekchiev; Peshtera Town, bank of Novomahlenska River, under bark, 490 m, 26.05.2008, 1 ♀, leg. R. Kostova (NMNHS). Distribution: Europe. Claviger (Claviger) testaceus Preyssler, 1790 WR: Smolyan District, above Rozhen Summit, 1500 m, in nest of Lasius flavus Fabricius, 1782, 07.08.1996, 1 ♀, leg. A. Gjonova (NMNHS). Distribution: Europe, Asia (Turkey). Claviger (Clavifer) merkli Reitter, 1885 WR: Assenovgrad Town (= Stanimaka) (Маřan, 1936). Records: ER: Meden buk Village, 230 m, 04.05.2009, 1 ♂, leg. R.Bekchiev (NMNHS); 04.05.2009, 5 ♂♂, 5 ♀♀, leg. A. Gjonova (PCAG). WR: Assenovgrad (= Stanimaka), 11.05.1909, 1 ♂, leg. Rambousek (MHNG). Distribution: Bulgaria, Greece, Turkey. Claviger (Clavifer) handmanni Wasmann, 1898 WR: Chepintsi Village, Adra Village, Koshnitsa Village (Hlavac & al., 2007). Claviger (Clavifer) emgei Reitter, 1885 WR: Chepintsi Village (Hlavac & al., 2007). Chennium steigerwaldi Reitter, 1882 WR: Smilyan Village (Hlavac & al., 2007). Pselaphus heisei Herbst, 1792 Records: WR: Smolyan District, Koshnitsa Village, near Uhlovitsa Cave, in leaf litter of F. sylvatica, 850 m, 15.05.2005, 1 ♂, leg. R. Bekchiev (NMNHS). Distribution: Europe, Asia. Dicentrius emrischi Besuchet, 1999 WR: Smolyan District, mountain resort Pamporovo (Besuchet, 1999). Records: WR: Smolyan District, Gela Village, 20.06.2000, 2 ♂♂, 1 ♀, leg. P. Hlavac (PCPH); Gorno Fatovo Village, in leaf litter of F. sylvatica, 1100 m, 31.05.2005, 1 ♂; Velingrad District, Rakitovo, Mantaritsa Reserve, place Pashino bardo, in rotten wood and leaf litter, 1300 m, 04.08.2005, 1 ♂, 1 ♀; 09.10.2005, 1 ♂; 16.06.2006, 2 ♂♂, 1 ♀; 16.06.2006, pitfall trap in grassland, 1 ♂: 16.06.2006, pitfall trap in P. abies forest, 1 ♀; 03.10.2006, 4 ♂♂, 5 ♀♀, leg. R. Bekchiev; Znaka place, in leaf litter of P. 276 R. BEKCHIEV abies and rotten wood, 1670 m, 27.05.2008, 8 ♀♀, leg. R. Bekchiev (NMNHS). Distribution: Bulgaria. Dicentrius sp. WR: Jakoruda Town (Besuchet, 1999). Note: Probably new species (Besuchet, 1999). Pselaphogenius bulgaricus Löbl, 1969 Records: WR: Peshtera Town, Kupena Reserve, between place Tretata vrata and place Gajtantcha, in leaf litter of F. sylvatica, 1000 m, 02.05.2006, 1 ♂, leg. R. Bekchiev; right bank of Novomahlenska river, above Yubileyna Cave, in leaf litter, 400 – 500 m, 25.05.2008, 2 ♂♂, 2 ♀♀, leg. R. Bekchiev; 8 km of Velingrad Town, near Lepenitsa Cave, leaf litter of F. sylvatica in the entrance of the cave, 975 m, 20.07.2008, 2 ♀♀; 22.08.2008, 1 ♀, leg. R. Bekchiev (NMNHS); Smolyan District, Koshnitsa Village, near Uhlovitsa Cave, in leaf litter of F. sylvatica, 850 m, 28.05.2005, 2 ♀♀, leg. P. Hlaváč (PCPH). Distribution: Bulgaria, Greece, Macedonia.

Discussion

As a result of this study, 50 species from the subfamily Pselaphinae have been listed from the Rhodope Mountains. The genus Pygoxyon is new to the Bulgarian fauna. Four species are new to Bulgarian fauna (Plectophloeus nubigena, Trimium graecum, Euplectus punctatus, Pygoxyon sp.). Löbl & Besuchet (2004) noted Delenda carthago for Bulgaria without exact data. Here, the species is firstly reported with detailed information for the record. Thirty six of the species established are new for the mountain (Faronus parallelus, Delenda carthago, Bibloporus bicolor, Euplectus bonvouloiri naretinus, Euplectus frivaldszkyi, Euplectus karstenii, Euplectus kirbii, Plectophloeus fischeri, Plectophloeus nitidus, Bibloplectus parvulus, Trimium puncticeps, Trimium carpathicum, Trichonyx sulcicollis, Bryaxis simoni, Bryaxis convexus, Bryaxis roumaniae, Bryaxis islamitus, Bryaxis nodicornis, Bythinus seidli, Bythinus leonhardinus, Bythinus lunicornis, Bythinus hopffgarteni, Tychus laminiger, Tychus aphelbecki, Brachygluta fossulata, Brachygluta trigonoprocta, Trissemus atennatus serricornis, Rybaxis longicornis, Batrisodes oculatus, Batrisodes bugueti, Batrisodes venustus, Batrisus formicarius, Claviger (Claviger) testaceus, Pselaphus heisei, Pselaphogenius bulgaricus). The number of the species in the Eastern and Western Rhodopes is respectively 25 and 32. Eight of the species are common for both parts of the mountain. The taxa enumerated in the present work represent most probably a moderate portion of the species that actually live in the Rhodope Mountains. Nevertheless this, with fifty Pselaphinae species, the Rhodope Mountains is the richest region in Bulgaria and merit more detailed investigation. After such study I expect that the actual number of species will be at least twice higher, with certainty description of many new to the science Pselaphinae. A study of the Pselaphinae (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae) in the Rhodopes 277

Acknowledgements

The author would like to express his deep appreciation to Dr. C. Besuchet, Mr. S. Vit, Mr. P. Hlaváč, Dr. B. Guéorguiev, Mr. B. Petrov and Dr. P. Stoev for the materials and data they have kindly provided. The research in the reserves Mantaritsa andK upena has been supported by the project No VU-B-8/05 „Investigation and assessment of the biological diversity of the Mantaritsa and Kupena Reserves”, funded by the Bulgarian Ministry of Education and Science.

References

Bekchiev R. 2008. The subfamily Pselaphinae (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae) of Southwestern Bulgaria I. – Hist. nat. bulg., 19: 51-71. Besuchet C. 1957. Une technique nouvelle pour la préparation de l’édeage des Microcoléoptères. – Mitt. schweiz. ent. Ges., 30: 341-342. Besuchet C. 1999. Le genre Dicentrius Reitter (Col. Staph. Pselaphinae). – Mitt. schweiz. ent. Ges., 72: 221-233. Besuchet C., R. Bekchiev. 2007. Description d’un nouveau Batrisodes de la Bulgarie (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae, Pselaphinae). – Hist. nat. bulg., 18: 75-80. Besuchet C., G. Sabella.1999. Descrizione di nuove specie di Tychus della regione palearctica con revisione dei Tychus del gruppo armeniacus (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae, Pselaphinae). – Ann. Soc. Entomol. Fr. (N.S.)., 35 (3-4): 303-318. HlavÁč P., R. Bekchiev, J. RǓžička, T. Lacner. 2007. Contribution to the knowledge of myrmecophilous beetles (Coleoptera) of Bulgaria. – Acta Soc. Zool. Bohem., 71: 127-132. Hubenov Z. 2005. Entomofaunistic diversity of Bulgaria. – In: Petrova, A (ed.), Current state of Bulgaria biodiversity – problems and perspectives. pp. 173-198, Bulgarian bioplatform, Sofia. Karaman Z. 1948. Revizija Pselaphida (Col.) II. Tribus Bythinini. III. – Odjel Jugoslovenske akademije znanosti i umjetnosti u Zagrebu., 97-116. Karaman Z. 1969. Über einige neue und interessante Pselaphiden Vertreter der Balkanhalbinsel. – Fragm. balcan., 7 (3): 9-20. Karaman Z. 1972. Vier balkanische und eine italienische neue Pselaphiden Arten. – Fragm. balcan., 9, 4(204): 37-51. Löbl I., C. Besuchet. 2004. Pselaphinae, pp. 272-329. In: Löbl, I. & Smetana, A. (eds). Catalogue of the Palearctic Coleoptera, Vol. 2. Stenstrup, Apollo Books, 942 pp. Mařan J. 1936. Nový druh rodu Claviger Preyss. z Řecka a poznámky o geografickém rozšíření některých Clavigeridů. – Čas. Čs. Spol. ent., 33(1-2): 26-27.

Author’s address: Rostislav Bekchiev National Museum of Natural History, 1 Tsar Osvoboditel Blvd. 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria e-mail: [email protected]

Изследване на подсемейство Pselaphinae (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae) в Родопите (България)

Ростислав БЕКЧИЕВ

(Резюме)

Подсемейство Pselaphinae (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae) е сравнително слабо проучено в България, като за Родопите бяха известни само 10 вида. В резултат на нашето изследване броят на видовете в планината нарастна на 50. Родът Pygoxyon е нов за фауната на България. Четири вида са нови за фауната на България (Plectophloeus nubigena, Trimium graecum, Euplectus punctatus, Pygoxyon sp.). Тридесет и шест от съобщените видове са нови за фауната на планината. Съобщените видове представляват малка част от видовото богатство на подсемейство Pselaphinae в Родопите. Предполагаме, че при едно системно и целенасочено проучване броят им ще бъде най-малко удвоен.