A new soil-dwelling palpigrade species from Northern Italy (Palpigradi: Eukoeneniidae)

TitleA new soil-dwelling palpigrade species from Northern Italy (Palpigradi: Eukoeneniidae)
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2009
AuthorsChristian, E.
JournalZOOTAXA
Pagination59-68
KeywordsArachnida, diagnostic characters, edaphomorphic, Eukoenenia, EUROPE, Liguria, taxonomy
Abstract

Among the 27 palpigrade species recorded in Europe so far, 23 occur in caves or narrow subterranean voids. Eukoenenia gallii n. sp. from a cork oak forest on the Italian Riviera (Liguria) is added to the small group of edaphic European palpigrades. E. gallii is not closely related to the common soil-dweller E. mirabilis (Grassi & Calandruccio, 1885), but to E. subangusta (Silvestri, 1903). Body shape and proportions make the new species look extremely edaphomorphic. All instars are described and illustrated with light micrographs of diagnostic traits.