Calosoma (Callisthenes) panderi (Fischer von Waldheim, 1820)
C. panderi, C. kushakevitchi and C. elegans are a similar enough group of species. All of them have raised border of pronotum, and have rather short and wide elytra with a broad margin.
C. panderi includes a number of populations that have the lateral margin of the elytra granulose, as in C. elegans, but that are characterized by the head of normal size, by the noticeably short and convex elytra, raised on the middle in correspondence with the suture, by the elytral sculpture of triploid type with well distinct intervals, interrupted by transverse wrinkles that can form tegulae.
C. panderi is present in the north-western Kazakhstan and in the immediately bordering regions of Russia but it is also found in south-eastern Kazakhstan and penetrates in Kyrgyzstan. The most significant distinction concerns these two groups of populations in the north-west and south east, separated by the vast areas of the Kazakh Upland. However, despite the geographical separation, the morphological differentiation is scarce and we therefore whould prefer the interpretation of Jeannel (1940: 189), that collected all the populations inside the single species C. panderi.
According to this interpretation the typical form (panderi) would be the one found in the north-west. Further distinctions among the various populations found in the south-east are based on difficult and often inconstant characters, though, in the opinion of Obydov (2002), some of these populations would even constitute different species. Anyhow, taking into account the previously given doubts about the significance of the characters that the literature offers to differentiate these supposed species, one can at most distinguish, on the basis of slight differences in elytral sculpture, the northernmost populations (karelini) from the southern ones including the ones of Kyrgyzstan (pavlovskii).
As regards Callisthenes declivis which Obidov (1997: 168) had included in the same group of species, the taxon depends on an erroneous interpretation of the original description and, as explained below, must be considered superfluous.
Calosoma (Callisthenes) panderi panderi (Fischer von Waldheim, 1820)
Callisthenes Panderi Fischer von Waldheim, 1820: 85 (described from: sabulis desertorum Kirgisorum ad Orenburg merionalium); unspecified number of specimens of both sexes, repository not stated
Calosoma panderi Dejean,, 1826: 211
Calosoma (Callisthenes) panderi Breuning, 1928: 61
Callisthenes panderi Lapouge, 1932: 375
Callisthenes panderi Jeannel, 1940: 189
Length 18-21 mm. The body shape of C. panderi panderi is short and stocky and its head and pronotum are strongly wrinkled. The elytra are conspicuously widen at the rear part and regularly sloping towards the apex. Their sculpture is characterized by deep striae and raised intervals, interrupted by shallow transverse wrinkles, that do not form tegula. The margin of elytra is coarsely puncturated. The color of the upper body is black purplish with shades of blue.
It is found in northwestern Kazakhstan, and in some adjacent areas of Russia (surroundings of Orenburg).
Examined specimens and literature’s data
Kazakhstan. West Kazakhstan reg. Oral (=Uralsk. Breuning, 1928b: 63); Akmola reg: Astana (=Akmolinsk) (Breuning, 1928b: 63); Aktobe reg: Baiganin distr: Zharyi (SB); Temir distr: Temir (Obydov, 2002: 14), Shubarkuduk vill. (SB); Shalkarskiy distr. (www.inaturalist.org); Atyrau reg. Inder distr: Inder lake (Breuning, 1928b: 61)
Russia Orenburg: (Obydov, 2002: 14), Buzuluk (Obydov, 2002: 14)
Notes: Brachypterous. It lives in grasslands of low and medium altitudes. Adults were collected. in April-May.
The species has been named after Heinrich Christian Pander (1794-1865), a famous Russian naturalist and biologist of Germanic origin, which also took part in some scientific expedition in Central Asia.
 (Fischer von Waldheim, 1820) Kazakhstan: Aktiube reg., Zharyi, 10.5.97, Smirnov lgt |
 (Fischer von Waldheim, 1820) Kazakhstan: Aktiube reg., Zharyi, 10.5.97, Smirnov lgt |
Calosoma (Callisthenes) panderi karelini (Fischer von Waldheim, 1830);
Callisthenes karelini Fischer von Waldheim, 1846: 487 (described from: Fluvium Lepsa in Songoria rossica); unspecified number of specimens, repository not stated
Calosoma (Callisthenes) panderi var. karelini Breuning, 1928: 61
Callisthenes karelini Lapouge, 1932: 375
Callisthenes panderi karelini Jeannel, 1940: 189
Calosoma (Callisthenes) cyaneosternum Mandl, 1954: 162 (type locality: Songarei); holotype ♂ in Naturhistorischen Museum Wien (ex coll. Kaufmann)
Calosoma (Callisthenes) breuningi Mandl, 1954: 163 (type locality: Sergiopol, Semipalatinsk); holotype ♂ in Naturhistorischen Museum Wien
Callisthenes karelini vladimiri Obydov, 1998: 21 (type locality: Taldy-Kurgan, Arkharly pass); holotype ♂ in coll. Obydov
Callisthenes karelini breuningi Obydov, 2002: 17
Length 18-22 mm. In our sense, the name C. panderi karelini refers to the eastern populations that have the same short and stocky shape as C. panderi panderi but their elytra are more arched and steeper, sharply sloping in the apical part. They can be distinguished from the more southern populations of the panderi complex by the raised sculpture of elytra, with deeply incised intervals and slightly elevated sutural border. The color of the upper body is dark bronze with hints of cupric.
C. panderi karelini is not much variable but various taxa have been named in the past on the basis of minor characteristics. In the general revision of Obydov (2002) some of these names were considered synonymous, as in the case of Calosoma (Callisthenes) cyaneosternum Mandl, 1954.
C.panderi karelini is located on the western slopes of the Dzhungarski Alatau mountains. from Taldykorgan in the southwest to around the Alakol lake in the northeast.
North of this area (Aiaguz), Obydov recognized as a distict subspecies Callisthenes karelini breuningi Mandl, 1954, that should be characterized by the labrum wider than the clypeus and by a more strong sculpture of elytra, with indistinct foveae on the primary intervals. Moreover, from from Taldykorgan, he himself described (Obydov, 1998:21) Callisthenes karelini vladimiri that should be essentially characterized by a more coarsely puncturated pronotum. In our opinion, both of them, considering the little relevance and the inconstancy of these characteristics, do not deserve to be distinguished.
Examined specimens and literature’s data
Kazakhstan. East Kazakhstan reg. Kurším distr: Topolevka (Kadyrbekov et al, 2017: 65); Ayagoz distr. (sub karelini breuningi Obydov, 2002: 17);Almaty reg. Aksu distr: Matay (SB), Sagabuyen (SB), Panfilov distr.(SB); Alakol distr: Lepsinsk (Kadyrbekov et al, 2017: 65; assumed as typical locality by Obydov, 2002: 14), Koktuma (SB), Usharal (= Uch-Aral, Obydov, 2002: 16); Sarkand distr: Sarkand (Kadyrbekov et al, 2017: 65); Taldykorgan (sub karelini vladimiri Obydov, 2002: 16; TL), Almaty distr: Ili river (?) (SB) ; Žambyl reg. Korday distr: Korday pass (?) (SB).
Notes: Brachypterous. It lives in grasslands at medium altitude, around 400m up to 1300m. Adults were collected. in April - May.
This taxon was first mentioned in a simple list (Fischer von Waldheim 1830: 186) and then properly described (Fischer von Waldheim, 1846: 487) and named after Grigorij Silytch Karelin (1801-1872), a Russian naturalist and explorer known for his extensive work in Siberia and in the Caspian Sea region.
 Fischer von Waldheim, 1830) Kazakhstan: Panfilov distr., 1.VI.94 |
 Fischer von Waldheim, 1830) Kazakhstan: Alakol lake, Koktuma, 21.IV.97, Toropov leg. |
Calosoma (Callisthenes) panderi pavlovskii (Kryzhanovskij, 1955)
Callisthenes pavlovskii Kryzhanovskij, 1955: 309 (type locality: Talas); holotype ♂ in Zoological Museum of the Zoological Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Saint Petersburg (Obydov, 2002: 20)
Callisthenes pavlovskyi Kryzhanovskij & al., 1995: 58.
Callisthenes declivis Obydov, 1997: 168 (partim)
Length 17-23 mm. A group of slightly different populations is found further south from the distribution area of C. panderi karelini. The differences are very tenous and mainly consist in the slightly less accentuated sculpture of the elytra, in the dark color without bronze reflections of upper body and in the slightly more elongated body shape. The relief of the sculpture of the elytra is variable but typically the intervals tend to flatten. Obidov (2002: 12) considered two distinct taxa inside these populations: Callisthenes declivis, which should have been present in the river Ili valley, and Callisthenes pavlovskii described by Kryzhanovskij & al. (1955: 309) from the Taraz river valley.
Callisthenes declivis would be further characterized by the sculpture being almost smooth in the center of the elytra near the suture. However, the name declivis, cannot used as it has been recognized by Kabak (2016: 798) as a synonym of C. elegans elegans and two different taxa would seem to have been included by Obydov (1997: 168) under this name because the specimens coming from the the initial course of the Ili river in China (Xinjiang) and in Khazakstan (Zharkent) should belong to C. elegans rostislavi.
Moreover the main characteristic used by Obidov to distinguish his Callisthenes declivis, that is the further flattening of the sculpture at the center of the elytra is actually detectable in the specimens from the plains north of the medium course of Ili river but it can also be found in some individuals of the more southern populations. (Callisthenes pavlovskii sensu Obidov).
In conclusion, the only feature that can actually be used to differentiate the complex of these populations from C. panderi karelini is the less raised sculpture of the elythra, while all the other ones vary from individual to individual. Having this in mind, we believe it is preferable to bring together, at least for the moment, all the populations that present this feature in one subspecies, namely C. panderi pavlovskii.
The actual distribution of this subspecies remains to be precisely defined. C. panderi pavlovskii, as we see it, is present in the plains north of the medium course of Ili river and further south ln the Taraz river valley. However there is a lack of data for the intermediate areas because Obidov's citations for the Ili river valley must be verified being confused with those of C. elegas rostislavi.
Examined specimens and literature’s data
Kazakhstan. Almaty reg. Kerbūlaq distr: Kara-Chok (Obydov, 2002: 106, fig.12-13, sub declivis), Sary-Ozek (SB) (Obydov, 2002: 19, sub declivis); Almaty distr: (Kapchagay) Ili river (Obydov, 2002: 19, sub declivis ?); Panfilov distr: Zharkent env. (=Panfilov, Obydov, 2002: 19, sub declivis ?); Žambyl reg. Taraz (= Džambul, Obydov, 2002: 19) (=Aulie Ata, sub. panderi karelini Breuning, 1928: 63)
Kyrgyzstan. Talas reg. Talas (SB). Besh-Tash river (EM, SB), Kozuchak vill. (SB), Kyzyl-Say (Obydov, 2002: 20)
Notes: Brachypterous. It lives in grasslands at medium altitude, around 700-1000m. Adults were collected. in April - May.
This taxon is named after Yevgeny Nikanorovich Pavlovsky (1884 - 1965) a Russian zoologist, entomologist, academician of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR. In this respect it should be also noted that the correct spelling should have been pavlovskyi which explains because it has sometime been cited as such by some entomologists including the author himself in a later publication (Kryzhanovskij & al., 1995: 58).
 (Kryzhanovskij, 1955) Kirghizstan: Talas mt. rng., Kash-Tash river 1.000 m., 15.V.2003 |
 (Kryzhanovskij, 1955) Kirghizstan: Talas mt. rng., Kash-Tash river 1.000 m., 15.V.2003 |
 (Kryzhanovskij, 1955) S.E. Kazakhstan, Sary-Ozek, 25.IV.1998, Irtlach leg. |
 (Kryzhanovskij, 1955) S.E. Kazakhstan, Sary-Ozek, 25.IV.1998, Irtlach leg. |