Diplocheila (Isorembus) transcaspica (Semenov 1891)

Diplocheila (Isorembus) transcaspica Semenov
Rhembus transcaspicus Semenov, 1890:278. — Reitter, 1900:151. Diplocheila transcaspica Andrewes, 1919 : 100— Ibid., 1930:152.
The diagnostic features of this species are indicated in the key.
Description. — Male. N.A. and S.K. Zool. Surv. Ind., Labi Baring, Seistan, 7.XII.18, under drift, at edge of Hamun. Sta. 19, B.S. (British Museum Nat. Hist.)
Length 12.2 mm., width 5.1 mm. Integument black, shining. Sculpture normal for genus, elytra finely microgranulate, dorsal surface of head, pronotum and elytra micropunctate.
Frontal impressions very shallow and broad posteriorly, indicated anteriorly on each side by a small, shallow depression. Clypeus 6.45 times wider than long, 2.32 times wider than labrum, anterior margin deeply emarginate. Labrum with anterior margin broadly and slightly asymmetrically emarginate, base of emargination rounded rather than angulate, lobes as in cordicollis. Mandibles as in cordicollis, but dorsal surface smooth, not strigose. Pronotum subcordate, with anterior margin shallowly and broadly concave, sides moderately arcuate anteriorly, incurving posteriorly, becoming slightly sinuate in basal 1/3, disc flattened medially, becoming rather sharply declivous anterolaterally, flattened baso-laterally, impressions average for genus ; metepimeron rounded apically, tapering gradually laterad, not deeply constricted nor sinuate. Elytra with intervals slightly convex, striae not deeply impressed, distinctly punctate, interval 3 with a single puncture in apical 1/3. Male genitalia not studied.
Type locality. — Two localities are mentioned by Semenov (1890) in his original description of transcaspica, Tedschen, Trans-Caspian Province, and Dort-Kuju. Which of these two will be the type locality cannot be determined until the label on the type specimen is examined.
Distribution.— The range of this species extends from Persia through the transcaspian province of Russia, to extreme western Afghanistan. Semenov (1926) states that this species is widespread in the Persian desert and the adjacent parts of India.