Four new species of Lesticus (Carabidae, Pterostichinae) from China and supplementary comments on the genus

Abstract

The genus Lesticus in China was studied, with descriptions of four new species: L. auripennis sp. n. (Guangdong: Nanling, 24.93°N, 112.09°E); L. bii sp. n. (Xizang: Mêdog, 29.32°N, 95.34°E); L. xiaodongi sp. n. (Yunnan: Yingjiang, 24.71°N, 97.58°E); and L. violaceous sp. n. (Yunnan: Yingjiang, 24.71°N, 97.58°E). One new synonym is proposed: L. dubius Dubault, Lassalle & Roux, is a junior synonym of L. solidus Roux & Shi. An improved key and a catalogue accommodating all known Chinese Lesticus species are provided. Species relationships and the evolution of endophallic and other characters are preliminarily discussed.