Three new monotypic genera of Trichopolydesmidae from Croatia, Balkan Peninsula (Diplopoda, Polydesmida)

Abstract

Three new monotypic genera are described from underground habitats in Croatia: Balkanodesmus biokovensis gen. n., sp. n., Solentanodesmus insularis gen. n., sp. n. and Velebitodesmus cavernicolus gen. n., sp. n. In all three new genera the prefemoral part of the gonopods is orientated transversely to the main body axis, and all three new genera possess numerous metatergal setae arranged in a few transverse irregular rows, a condition observed in several European trichopolydesmids. These three new genera are very close to the genus Verhoeffodesmus. A distribution map and a brief discussion about the relationship with congeners are provided.