Rascioduvalius, a new genus of cave and endogean Trechines (Trechini, Carabidae, Coleoptera) from the Balkan Peninsula

Background and Purpose: This analysis of some eastern-Mediterranean coleopterans (tribe Trechini) including their diversity, origin and phylogeny represents an outstanding contribution to the study of endemic (divergent) differentiation of these forms inhabiting the Balkan Peninsula, Materials and Methods: The material studied comes from the collection of the Natural History Museum in Vienna, Austria. Results: The members of Trechini from western Serbia belong to a new genus, Rascioduvalius n, gen., and its species are R. cvijici (Jeannel) and R. stopicensis (Jeannel); additionally, the two species have been given a full specific names. Conclusions: The genus Rascioduvalius n. gen. and its members belong to a separate phylelic lineage of the "Ouvalius" Delarouzee-related genera, However, the genus Duvalius s. str. is present in western Europe only, while on the Balkan Peninsula it is vicariant with a great group of his relatives which have been subjected to an intense differentiation and radiation.