6533b85cfe1ef96bd12bc0d0

RESEARCH PRODUCT

Two new species of the genus emNemaspela/em Šilhavý from caves in Georgia (Opiliones: Nemastomatidae).

Jochen MartensEter MaghradzeShalva Barjadze

subject

NemastomatidaeNemastomatidaeMaleGeorgiaArthropodaZoologyOpilionesGeorgia (Republic)CaveGenusArachnidaAnimaliaAnimalsEcology Evolution Behavior and SystematicsTaxonomygeographygeography.geographical_feature_categoryOpilionesbiologyBiodiversityMassifbiology.organism_classificationKarstCavesTaxonKey (lock)Animal Science and Zoology

description

Two highly specialized endemic troglobiotic harvestman species of the genus Nemaspela Šilhavý, 1966 are described. N. melouri sp. nov. from Melouri Cave and N. prometheus sp. nov. from Prometheus Cave (Sataplia-Tskaltubo karst massif, Imereti region, western Georgia), respectively. Despite the fact that the entrances of the caves are positioned only 2.5 km apart, the new taxa differ from each other distinctly by presence vs. absence of male cheliceral apophysis, which is lacking in the second species. A key to the Caucasian species of the genus is provided. Relationships of Nemaspela species within the genus and with hypothetical epigean ancestors are discussed. 

yearjournalcountryeditionlanguage
2021-04-07Zootaxa
10.11646/zootaxa.4951.3.7https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33903394