in my opinion best accounts for image and given data. However, elytra do not show the expected iridescence - but hopefully this is just a photographic illusion. Recent trend has been to move Paratachys species back to Tachys by mostly European authors.

well my photo skills have been known to unintentionally remove things like iridescence (and hair, striae, and just about anything else), but I re-looked at this guy under a scope (with different lighting) and only saw slightly more shine than is seen in this image. If it helps, this other species was viewed simultaniously and appeared to posess about same level of shine

shows same dorsal color pattern, is very shiny, but it also shows distinct (but not overwhelming) reflections of the rainbow colors (= iridescence) along discs of the elytra when swiveled back and forth. If this specimen in my hand and under scope failed to demostrate at least some iridescence, I would begin to think of alternate branches in published taxonomic keys on Paratachys/Tachys species.

I should have been more precise. "Shine" of course does not equal "iridescence". And just to make sure, I just check again tonight, using yet another type of light source (3,200K halogen), and Yes, this P. scitulus 'shows distinct (but not overwhelming) reflections of the rainbow colors (= iridescence) along discs of the elytra when swiveled back and forth'. It's mainly along the first two intervals and aft of middle, but it's definitely there. Thanks for keeping me honest :)

I too noticed that the iridescence was limited to the medial intervals.