Contribution to the taxonomy of the Genus Cychrus Fabricius, 1794 (Coleoptera: Carabidae) from Turkey and their relations with Cychrus species from Balkans to Caucasus

Abstract

The genus Cychrus Fabricius, 1794 from Turkey is examined. The study includes taxa related with Turkish Cychrus from Balkans to Caucasus. Rational interpretation of Cychrus populations is presented from the Balkans up to the Caucasus It appears that the comments made by several entomologists confirmed that more specific groups have exchanged characters on their periphery These exchanges have established a regular gradation or fragmented morphocline from west to east through 2 totally different species Cychrus aeneus Fischer von Waldheim, 1824 and Cychrus anatolicus Motschulsky, 1865. The species in Turkey are an intermediate link between species of the Balkans and Caucasus Information is shortly given on history of Cychrus investigations from this region The taxonomic position and geographical distribution of species/subspecies belonging to this genus are discussed. Each taxon is characterized with description of morphological features, and photographs of habitus (male) and male genitalia.