Specific validity of Meligethes cyrenaicus Rebmann, 1940, and an updated identification key for the M-carinulatus species-group (Coleoptera, Nitidulidae)

The North African species Meligethes cyrenaicus Rebmann, 1940, a member of the M. carinulatus species-group, previously considered a synonym of the widespread European M. carinulatus Forster, 1849, is resurrected at a specific rank. This taxonomic settlement is chiefly based on an analysis of external morphological characters of the type material of M. cyrenaicus (from Libya, Cyrenaica) and of a large series of southern European specimens of M. carinulatus. An updated key for the identification of the eight members of the Meligethes carinulatus species-group is presented.