Impressive cave-adapted japygids (Diplura, Japygidae) from Mediterranean and Southeast Asia caves
Abstract
Three specimens of Dipluran Japygidae, collected from two widely separated caves – one in the western Mediterranean and the other in Southeast Asia – have revealed the existence of an impressive, distinctive and unusual cercal amour pattern, unlike that of other Japygidae, characterized by two to three pairs of subsymmetrically arranged teeth. Consequently, two taxa have been described: a new species, Troglojapyx angelginesi Sendra sp. nov., from l’Avenc des Pouàs in Ibiza, Balearic Islands, related to the previously monotypic genus Troglojapyx, known from a cave in mainland Greece; and a new genus and species, Laolaojapyx chloeae Sendra & Lips gen. et sp. nov., from Tham Van Ngo Cave in Laos. However, the phylogenetic significance of cercal morphology appears limited, as suggested by the wide geographic distribution of soil- and cave-adapted japygids. The two new species are highly specialized cave dwellers, exhibiting clear subterranean adaptations, including elongate bodies, slender appendages, and an impressive abundance of antennal placoid sensilla, reaching up to 72 in L. chloeae.
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