1. At the end of the rope: Geophilus hadesi sp. n. – the world’s deepest cave-dwelling centipede (Chilopoda, Geophilomorpha, Geophilidae)
- Author
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Nesrine Akkari, Lucio Bonato, Pavel Stoev, Gregory D. Edgecombe, and Ana Komerički
- Subjects
GeophilomorphaAnimalia ,Arthropoda ,Troglomorphism ,Croatia ,Nephrozoa ,Geophilidae ,Protostomia ,GeophilomorphaCephalornis ,Circumscriptional names of the taxon under ,Geophilus hadesiAnimalia ,Cave ,lcsh:Zoology ,Bilateria ,Animalia ,lcsh:QL1-991 ,ChilopodaCephalornis ,Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics ,geography ,geography.geographical_feature_category ,Geophilomorpha ,biology ,Geophilus ,Myriapoda ,Ecology ,Cephalornis ,troglomorphism ,extreme habitats ,biology.organism_classification ,Cave dwelling ,Notchia ,ChilopodaAnimalia ,cave-dwelling species ,Velebit Mountain ,Ecdysozoa ,Animal Science and Zoology ,Stenotaenia ,Chilopoda ,Centipede ,Coelenterata ,Research Article - Abstract
A new geophilomorph centipede, Geophilus hadesi sp. n., is described from caves in the Velebit Mountain, central Croatia. Together with Geophilus persephones Foddai & Minelli, 1999, described from Pierre Saint-Martin cave in France, they are the only two remarkably troglomorphic geophilomorphs hitherto known. The new species apparently belongs to a group of Geophilus species inhabiting mainly Western and Southern Europe, with a uniquely modified pretarsus in the second maxillae. Geophilus hadesi sp. n. shows unusual traits, some of which commonly found in troglobitic arthropods, including exceptionally elongated antennae, trunk segments and leg claws. The species is described upon specimens found in two caves at a depth below -250 m. Another two specimens apparently belonging to the same species have been recorded in another deep vertical cave at -980 m and -1100 m. The latter represents the world’s deepest record of Chilopoda as a whole.
- Published
- 2015