taxonID	type	description	language	source
3D1F181DDE46FFDCFF38EE7B46FB8F53.taxon	description	Characterization (modified after Osella 1970): small species (3.2 – 4.9 mm); 3 rd tarsal segment narrow, about as wide as previous segments; pronotum elongate and cylindrical; rostrum slender, straight to slightly bowed; aedeagus with subtruncated apex; distributed from the Western Alps (France, Vercors) eastwards to the southern Bernina massif (Switzerland).	en	Germann, Christoph (2011): Review of the Dichotrachelus alpestris STIERLIN, 1878 species group with evidence for a species complex of D. augusti F. SOLARI, 1946, and D. sondereggeri sp. nov. from Switzerland (Coleoptera, Curculionidae). Contributions to Natural History 17: 1-21, DOI: 10.5169/seals-787072
3D1F181DDE46FFDCFF38EE7B46FB8F53.taxon	materials_examined	Type material examined: D. walteri: 4 specimens (cMB). A ♂ lectotype and 3 paralectotypes were selected and are designated here in agreement with Recommendation 73 F of the ICZN (2000). Label data: 1 ♂: PIEM. – 1946 G. Paradiso C. Arietta 15 - 7 Barajon // walteri [handwritten] // [Red label] Lectotype Dichotrachelus walteri BARAJON, 1947 des. C. Germann 2011 (= syn. nov. D. alpestris Stierlin, 1878). 1 ♂, 2 ♀: first label contains the same indications // D. walteri mihi (handwritten) // [Red label] Paralectotype Dichotrachelus walteri BARAJON, 1947 des. C. Germann 2011 (= syn. nov. D. alpestris STIERLIN, 1878). Remark: the apex of the aedeagus of the ♂ paralectotype is damaged.	en	Germann, Christoph (2011): Review of the Dichotrachelus alpestris STIERLIN, 1878 species group with evidence for a species complex of D. augusti F. SOLARI, 1946, and D. sondereggeri sp. nov. from Switzerland (Coleoptera, Curculionidae). Contributions to Natural History 17: 1-21, DOI: 10.5169/seals-787072
3D1F181DDE46FFDCFF38EE7B46FB8F53.taxon	discussion	Barajon (1947: 32) described D. walteri based on " ... quattro esemplari (2 ♂ e 2 ♀) di una nuova specie ... " " ... catturato il 15 - 7 - 1946 ... " from Colle Arietta (Gran Paradiso massif). However, already Osella (1970) reported in his revision only minute morphological differences with respect to D. alpestris. These differences are summarized: Elytral vestiture consisting only of dark brownish scales; Striae less pronounced, third interval diverging towards the elytral decline, its width more than twice the size at base; Elytra more oval shaped and gracile; Pronotum laterally more strongly rounded; Eyes slightly bigger and protruding; Rostrum longer and less curved; Scape of the antennae regularly enlarged, longer than D. alpestris. An examination of the type series (cMB), and the examination of further material (cVR), and their comparison with 133 specimens of D. alpestris (Appendix 1) showed that these differences – including furthermore the shape of the aedeagus (Figs 11 – 16, 20) – fall into the variability observed in D. alpestris. Therefore I propose the following synonymy: Dichotrachelus alpestris STIERLIN, 1878 = walteri BARAJON, 1947 syn. nov.	en	Germann, Christoph (2011): Review of the Dichotrachelus alpestris STIERLIN, 1878 species group with evidence for a species complex of D. augusti F. SOLARI, 1946, and D. sondereggeri sp. nov. from Switzerland (Coleoptera, Curculionidae). Contributions to Natural History 17: 1-21, DOI: 10.5169/seals-787072
3D1F181DDE46FFDCFF38EE7B46FB8F53.taxon	distribution	Dichotrachelus alpestris shows the major distribution of the group. The most eastern finds I know are fairly isolated on the top of Monte Generoso in the canton Ticino. D. augusti form I is restricted to Valle d'Aosta, around the Monte Rosa massif, northwards to the Saas Valley. Form II is known from Great St Bernard, including Val Ferret in Switzerland. Form III is presently only known from Col de Balme. D. sondereggeri sp. nov. is exclusively known from Corn dal Solcun in the Valposchiavo.	en	Germann, Christoph (2011): Review of the Dichotrachelus alpestris STIERLIN, 1878 species group with evidence for a species complex of D. augusti F. SOLARI, 1946, and D. sondereggeri sp. nov. from Switzerland (Coleoptera, Curculionidae). Contributions to Natural History 17: 1-21, DOI: 10.5169/seals-787072
3D1F181DDE46FFDCFF38EE7B46FB8F53.taxon	biology_ecology	Bionomy: D. sondereggeri sp. nov. lives in moss cushions (Bryophyta, Musci) of Grimmia cf. sessitana DE NOT., Racomitrium heterostichum (HEDW.) BRID., and Tortella tortuosa (HEDW.) LIMPR. Four larvae were found at the type locality (Corn dal Solcun), one in the presumably second, and three in the last larval instar (Fig. 29). Very soon, on July 6 th, one larva pupated under room temperature conditions (Figs 30, 31). The imago hatched about one week later (Fig. 32). Two of the paratype specimens were also freshly emerged when collected. I conclude that D. sondereggeri sp. nov. may develop within one season. D. sondereggeri sp. nov. was exclusively found in or near moss cushions within small scree slopes at the very top of Corn dal Solcun (Figs 33, 34) between 2300 – 2500 m a. s. l. However, the single specimen collected by C. Besuchet at the foot of a rock was found at a somewhat lower altitude (2050 – 2100 m a. s. l.), where dwarf shrub heath dominates the vegetation (Fig. 35).	en	Germann, Christoph (2011): Review of the Dichotrachelus alpestris STIERLIN, 1878 species group with evidence for a species complex of D. augusti F. SOLARI, 1946, and D. sondereggeri sp. nov. from Switzerland (Coleoptera, Curculionidae). Contributions to Natural History 17: 1-21, DOI: 10.5169/seals-787072
3D1F181DDE46FFDCFF38EE7B46FB8F53.taxon	etymology	Derivation of species name: The new species Dichotrachelus sondereggeri is named after the renowned expert of various lepidopteran groups, co-founder and co-author of the famous standard work for lepidopterologists " Schmetterlinge und ihre Lebensräume " and author of " Die Erebien der Schweiz ", gifted field entomologist and amiable colleague Peter Sonderegger (Brügg).	en	Germann, Christoph (2011): Review of the Dichotrachelus alpestris STIERLIN, 1878 species group with evidence for a species complex of D. augusti F. SOLARI, 1946, and D. sondereggeri sp. nov. from Switzerland (Coleoptera, Curculionidae). Contributions to Natural History 17: 1-21, DOI: 10.5169/seals-787072
3D1F181DDE47FFD6FF5DEFEB44008DDC.taxon	materials_examined	The holotype of D. augusti with the following indications by Solari (1946: 10 – 11): " Patria: Piemonte (Champoluc in Valle Aosta); holotypus ♀. " and " Un solo esemplare, raccolto da mio figlio Augusto in Val di Cunea, il 15. VII. 1935, nel muschio cresciuto su di una roccia. " was not examined. In return a total of 19 specimens of D. augusti from various localities were examined (Appendix 1), including an unjustified ♂ " allotype " (Gr. St. Bernhard Süd 2200 m 24.6.1953 // Schweiz leg. G. Frey // Dichotrachelus valesiacus STIERL. det. F. Stöcklein 1953 [handwritten; wrong determination] // Museum Frey Tutzing // Dichotrachelus augusti SOLARI allotypus! ♂ det. G. Osella 1970 [partly handwritten]), which had been subsequently attributed by Osella (1970: 522) as type material to augusti, but is not part of it.	en	Germann, Christoph (2011): Review of the Dichotrachelus alpestris STIERLIN, 1878 species group with evidence for a species complex of D. augusti F. SOLARI, 1946, and D. sondereggeri sp. nov. from Switzerland (Coleoptera, Curculionidae). Contributions to Natural History 17: 1-21, DOI: 10.5169/seals-787072
3D1F181DDE47FFD6FF5DEFEB44008DDC.taxon	discussion	Within the examination of the material of D. augusti, I made an interesting discovery concerning the shape of its aedeagus. Based on the shape of the tip of the medianlobus, three preliminarily named forms I – III can be differentiated (Figs 18, 19 & 28). Form I is likely to be the typical form, as these specimens are from around the type locality. Form III was discovered in material from Col de Balme (solely two male specimens are known, and only one specimen contains an aedeagus (Fig. 19), whereas the other one is lost) at the border between Switzerland and France. Form II was discovered, during comparison of specimens from around the type locality (Champoluc) and from Great St Bernard / Val Ferret area. From this perspective, a record of D. augusti (a single female specimen) from the southern side of Valle d'Aosta (Fig. 28) is a further promising trace that should be followed up in the future. For all these reported observations, only further specimens of D. augusti, which is obviously a species complex, will help to clarify the significance of these different forms. Special caution is needed within Dichotrachelus concerning the aedeagus-shape. Just recently Germann & Baur (2010) reported on two different forms of the aedeagus of D. imhoffi STIERLIN, 1857 present within all investigated populations. As D. augusti has been only very rarely collected, the examination of mosses at similar – cold and rocky – places illustrated for D. sondereggeri sp. nov. (Figs 33 – 34) or also encountered during the finds of D. augusti at La Peule in Val Ferret (unpubl. observations) might be especially successful. A very recent excursion by M. Geiser in the summer of 2010 to Col de Balme collecting on drier and warmer grounds, exclusively yielded specimens of D. rudeni STIERLIN, 1853.	en	Germann, Christoph (2011): Review of the Dichotrachelus alpestris STIERLIN, 1878 species group with evidence for a species complex of D. augusti F. SOLARI, 1946, and D. sondereggeri sp. nov. from Switzerland (Coleoptera, Curculionidae). Contributions to Natural History 17: 1-21, DOI: 10.5169/seals-787072
3D1F181DDE40FFDBFF38EFEB46BD8DA9.taxon	description	(Figs 1 – 4, 17, 21, 24, 29 – 32)	en	Germann, Christoph (2011): Review of the Dichotrachelus alpestris STIERLIN, 1878 species group with evidence for a species complex of D. augusti F. SOLARI, 1946, and D. sondereggeri sp. nov. from Switzerland (Coleoptera, Curculionidae). Contributions to Natural History 17: 1-21, DOI: 10.5169/seals-787072
3D1F181DDE40FFDBFF38EFEB46BD8DA9.taxon	materials_examined	Holotype ♂: Switzerland, Grisons, Valposchiavo, above Cavaione, Corn dal Solcun, Swiss coordinates: 804.200 / 126.229, 2480 m a. s. l., sifting mosses, 2. 7. 2009, leg. C. Germann. Red label: Holotype Dichotrachelus sondereggeri sp. nov. (NMBE). Paratypes: 8 specimens. 2 ♂♂ and 3 ♀♀, same indications as holotype. Red labels: Dichotrachelus sondereggeri sp. nov. des. C. Germann 2011 (1 ♂, 1 ♀ cCG; 1 ♂, 1 ♀ NMBE; 1 ♀ NMLU); 1 ♀, (same data as holotype, cCG) is kept in 90 % ethanol for potential DNA extraction; 1 ♀ (same data as holotype, cCG) consists only of an abdomen (including elytra and all female genitalia, as well as fragments of 33 eggs); 1 ♀ Suisse, Grisons, s / Cavajone [sic!], 18. 7. [19] 94, pied rochers 2050 – 2100 m, leg. Cl. Besuchet. Dichotrachelus gr. alpestris STIERLIN det. Osella 1985 (alpestris n sp.?). Red label: Dichotrachelus sondereggeri sp. nov. (MHNG, coll. G. Toumayeff).	en	Germann, Christoph (2011): Review of the Dichotrachelus alpestris STIERLIN, 1878 species group with evidence for a species complex of D. augusti F. SOLARI, 1946, and D. sondereggeri sp. nov. from Switzerland (Coleoptera, Curculionidae). Contributions to Natural History 17: 1-21, DOI: 10.5169/seals-787072
3D1F181DDE40FFDBFF38EFEB46BD8DA9.taxon	description	Size: 3.8 – 4.9 mm (♂ 3.8 – 4.5 mm, ♀ 4.4 – 4.9 mm) Body colour: Black to dark brown, antennae and tarsi reddish brown. Head, rostrum and antennae: Head globose, irregularly punctate, raised broad dark brown scales on the front. Thinner scales from the epifrons up to the antennal scrobes. Eyes weakly protruding, almost circular. Rostrum about twice as long as wide (L / B): 1.8 – 2.1 (♂ 1.8 – 2.0, ♀ 1.8 – 2.1). The epifrons of the rostrum is shiny and irregularly striato-punctate. The rostral apex is glossy and shining, irregularly punctate and with raised setae. Antennal scrobes are visible from above. Antennae are strong and long, inserted before the middle of the rostrum. Antennal scape (L / B: 6.5) slender in its first third, then continuously broadened to three times its basal width. Bright setae and dark brown scales arise from the broad half of the antennal scape. First segment of antennal funiculus more than twice as long as wide, the following segments as follows (L / B): 2 nd: 1.3, 3 rd to 5 th: 1.0, 6 th: 0.85 and 7 th: 0.6. The antennal club (L / B: 1.9) twice as wide as the last antennal segment, consisting of three visible segments. Pronotum: Index (L / B): 1.06 – 1.14. Somewhat longer than wide, laterally modestly rounded, widest in the middle. Vestiture consisting of adherent and raised, strong, mainly dark brown scales, several light brown scales are intermixed. Elytra: Index (L / B): 1.62 – 1.72. Base slightly broader than pronotum, subelliptical, without humeral callus (apterous), cone-shaped from the base on, widest shortly behind the middle. Uneven intervals including suture elevated, wider than the deeply punctate striae. Suture markedly bulged just before the decline of the elytra (best visible in lateral view). Integument consisting of two types of scales: semi-raised, short and rounded (often globular) scales, and raised scales, which are up to three times as long as wide. Scales are mostly dark brown; several patchily arranged light brown scales are intermixed. Legs: Strong and slender, three visible tarsal segments of about the same size, claw segment almost as long as the three visible tarsal segments, claws simple. Aedeagus (Fig. 17): Apex of aedeagus abruptly attenuated and laterally moderately constricted before tip, fore margin weakly rounded. Spiculum ventrale and spermatheca (Figs 21, 24) Sexual dimorphism: Elytral shape of male laterally more parallel (in females slightly convex). Fifth sternite of males shorter (B / L: 1.9 – 2.0) than females (1.0 – 1.3).	en	Germann, Christoph (2011): Review of the Dichotrachelus alpestris STIERLIN, 1878 species group with evidence for a species complex of D. augusti F. SOLARI, 1946, and D. sondereggeri sp. nov. from Switzerland (Coleoptera, Curculionidae). Contributions to Natural History 17: 1-21, DOI: 10.5169/seals-787072
3D1F181DDE40FFDBFF38EFEB46BD8DA9.taxon	diagnosis	Differential diagnosis: The most conspicuous traits of D. sondereggeri sp. nov. are the elongated cone-shaped elytra with their maximal width behind the middle (Figs 2 – 3), the long slender legs and the conspicuous apex of the aedeagus (Fig. 17). The presumably closest relative based on morphological characters is D. augusti, sharing the conspicuous strongly constricted apex of the aedeagus. To differentiate the species of the alpestris species group, all three species are keyed in the following. Although the shape and colour of the scales are often used for differential diagnoses in Dichotrachelus, this trait should be used only with care as considerable variation was found within the large series of specimens of D. alpestris from all over the distribution area. The spiculum ventrale of D. alpestris allows the unambiguous separation from all the other species of the group with its conspicuous rectangular branches (Fig. 23), whereas those of D. sondereggeri sp. nov. and D. augusti are very similar. If spermathecae are compared, the available specimens of D. augusti all show a thicker plump cornu, whereas those of D. sondereggeri sp. nov. and D. alpestris are steadily tapered and thus more gracile (Figs 24 – 26).	en	Germann, Christoph (2011): Review of the Dichotrachelus alpestris STIERLIN, 1878 species group with evidence for a species complex of D. augusti F. SOLARI, 1946, and D. sondereggeri sp. nov. from Switzerland (Coleoptera, Curculionidae). Contributions to Natural History 17: 1-21, DOI: 10.5169/seals-787072
