The genus Inversotyphlus Strasser, 1962, stat. nov. and Inversotyphlus ammirandus sp. nov., a new bizarre, highly modified troglobiotic millipede (Diplopoda, Julida, Julidae) from Albania, Balkan Peninsula

• Published in: ZooKeys Vol. 1184; no. 3; pp. 65 - 80
• Main Authors: Antic, Dragan, Akkari, Nesrine
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Sofia Pensoft Publishers 14.11.2023
• Subjects: Analysis; Biology; Cavernicolous species; Digital cameras; Morphology (Animals); Mouthparts; Museums; New species; Penis; Photographic industry; Physical characteristics; Software; Taxonomic revision; Taxonomy; Zoology; Balkan Peninsula; Japan; Albania; Croatia
• ISSN: 1313-2989; 1313-2970
• DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1184.113498

Inversotyphlus Strasser, 1962, stat. nov. is raised to the genus level and a new hydrophilous species, Inversotyphlus ammirandus sp. nov. , is described from the second deepest pit in Albania. This species is characterized by a highly modified head and body for a presumably semiaquatic or hygropetric life and filtering diet. It is by far the most bizarrely modified cave-dwelling julid known. The new species is diagnosed, described in detail, and richly illustrated. Besides I. ammirandus sp. nov. , the genus Inversotyphlus stat. nov. includes six species: I. clavatus (Antić, 2018), comb. nov. , I. edentulus (Attems, 1951), comb. nov. , I. gellianae (Makarov & Rađa, 2006), comb. nov. , I. gracilis (Antić, 2018), comb. nov. , I. lobifer (Attems, 1951), comb. nov. , and I. opisthonodus (Antić, 2018) comb. nov. The subgenus Attemsotyphlus syn. nov. is here considered as a junior subjective synonym of the genus Inversotyphlus stat. nov. Notes are given on the habitat of I. ammirandus sp. nov. , the taxonomy of the tribe Typhloiulini and the genus Inversotyphlus stat. nov. , and adaptive modifications of the mouthparts.