Cardiophorus dicronychoides sp. n.

(Figs 39, 93)

Material examined. Holotype, male: Afghanistan: “J. Klapperich Kamdesch, 2200 m, Bashgultal, Nuristan, 17.7.52, O - Afghan” Cardiophorus sp. (det. Gurjeva, 1971) (HNHM). Two paratypes, males: Pakistan: “ PAKISTAN, Karakoram Mts. Juglot Valley, ~ 2550 m, 26.VII.2011 Leg. Benedek Balázs” (1, HNHM, 1, CPG).

Diagnosis. The species is unlike any species known from Afghanistan and Pakistan. In the general shape it resembles Dicronychus blandus (Solsky, 1881) from Central Asia, but differs from it by having simple (not dentate) claws.

Description. Male (Fig. 39). Dark ferruginous, lighter at base and along suture of elytra; antennae and legs yellowish; covered with dense, yellowish golden pubescence longer at sides and apex of elytra.

Frons flat, slightly impressed at anterior margin, latter moderately thickened and regularly arcuate, directed downwards; punctures of about same size with very short, shiny intervals.

Antennae exceeding posterior angles of pronotum by about 2.5 antennomeres, slightly serrated from third antennomeres on; second subconical, twice longer than wide, third to tenth subtriangular, on average 2.5× longer than wide, last slightly longer than penultimate, with subparallel sides pointed at apex.

Pronotum as long as wide to slightly wider than long, widest behind middle and on posterior angles, convex, abruptly sloping at sides and base; sides arcuate, slightly sinuate before posterior angles, these truncate, slightly divergent, shortly carinate; lateral margin apparent and complete; puncturation uniformly distributed, punctures of about same size, deep, simple, with very short, shiny intervals.

Scutellum heart-shaped, as long as wide, emarginate at middle of base, slightly impressed, very finely punctured.

Elytra 2.7–2.8× longer than and as wide as pronotum, convex, sides subparallel in first half, then gradually and regularly converging toward apex; striae marked and distinctly punctured; interstriae moderately convex with very fine punctures.

Claws simple.

Aedeagus as in Fig. 93 (length 1.18 mm).

Female unknown.

Size. Length 7.7–8 mm; width 2.31–2.37 mm.

Etymology. The specific epithet refers to the general shape of the species, which is reminiscent of the genus Dicronychus.