Sternocoelis hispanus Rosenhauer, 1856
Sternocoelis hispanus Rosenhauer, 1856; Lackner & Yélamos, 2001: 100 [Morocco].
Sternocoelis atlantis Théry, 1921: , synonymized by Lackner & Yélamos, 2001: 100.
After the study of the type material and comparing it with a large series of Sternocoelis sp. c. f. atlantis Théry, 1921, collected in the Middle Atlas we came to the conclusion that S. atlantis should be considered as new synonymy of S. hispanus. This species shows a broad range of variety in several morphological characteristics: structure of the inner prosternal striae (they can be obsolete, or distinct); prosternal lobe and keel can have a shallow excavation, or lacking this excavation at all and the space between the prosternal lobe and the keel can be flat; meso and metatibiae can be variably expanded. The specimens from southern Spain and northern Morocco (Rif mountains) are somewhat different from those from the Middle Atlas.
Morocco: New records: 44 ex., Morocco North, Rif Mts., Bab Besen, 1.600 m, 4-7.6.1998; T. Lackner & I. Smatana leg.; 7 ex., Morocco central, Middle Atlas, Ifrane env., 1.800 m, 22.4.1995, T. Lackner leg.; 1 ex., same data, but 17-21.6.1998; 1 ex., same data but 10.5.1999; 2 ex., same locality, but 9.5.1997, 1.500 m, P. Koniar. leg.; 10 ex., same locality, but 11.5.1997, T. Lackner & P. Koniar leg.; 60 ex., same locality, but 12-13.5.2000, T. Lackner leg.; 5 ex., Morocco central, Middle Atlas, Aguelmame Azigza, 1.600 m, 12.5.1997, T. Lackner leg.; 1 ex., Morocco central, Middle Atlas, Khenifra region, Djebel Irhoud, 1.800 m, 17-18.5.2000, T. Lackner leg.
Up to now it was only known from the region of the Rif mountains in Morocco. This species has been observed to be the most frequent Moroccan representative of the genus. Numerous specimens have been found in the Rif mountains as well as in the Middle Atlas mountains, reaching as far South as Djebel Irhoud, near Ajdir, East of Khenifra.
Distribution. Morocco.