Original scientific paper

Croatodirus (nov. gen.) bozicevici n. sp., an enigmatic new leptodirine beetle from Croatia (Coleoptera, Cholevidae)

Achille Casale ; Dipartimento di Zoologia e Antropologia Biologica dell’Università, Via Muroni 25, 07100 Sassari, Italy
Pier Mauro Giachino ; Museo Regionale di Scienze Naturali, Via Giolitti 36, 10123 Torino, Italy
Branko Jalžić ; Department of Zoology, Croatian National History Museum, Demetrova 1, HR–10000 Zagreb, Croatia

Abstract

Croatodirus, new genus, bozicevici new species (Coleoptera, Cholevidae) are described from the cave Cavern in Učka Tunnel, Mt. Učka (Monte Maggiore) near the town of Rijeka (Croatia). The new taxon, provisionally attributed to the phyletic lineage of Antroherpon, is however markedly isolated owing to the following peculiar combination of morphological features: 1) antennal insertion on the posterior 4th of the head; 2) antennomere 1 slightly longer than antennomere 2; 3) pterothorax not pedunculate, mesosternum not carinate; 4) mesocoxal cavities contiguous; 5) tarsal claws widened; 6) protibiae without external apical comb of spines and without external spurs; 7) meso- and metatibiae furnished with inner, unified spurs; 8) aedeagus medium sized, with inner sac without sclerotized pieces; and 9) female stylomeres and spermatheca fully atrophied.
The systematic position and the peculiar ecology of this new, exceptional troglobiontic beetle are illustrated and discussed.

Keywords

Croatodirus; bozicevici; new genus; new species; Coleoptera; Cholevidae; systematics

Hrčak ID:

31058

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/31058

Publication date:

30.6.2000.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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