Heteromurus (Verhoeffiella) Anagastumensis n. Sp. (Collembola, entomobryidae), a new cave springtail from Montenegro

Abstract

A thorough analysis of a specimen of the collembolan family Entomobryidae from a cave in Montenegro has yielded a species new to science: Heteromurus (Verhoeffiella) anagastumensis n. sp. This is the first known cave-dwelling member of the subgenus Verhoeffiella Absolon in Montenegro. Heteromurus (V.) anagastumensis n. sp. is described, illustrated, and diagnosed; it is a phenetically close congener of H. (V.) longicornis (Absolon) from Herzegovina. Some biogeographical and evolutionary characteristics of this new Verhoeffiella species are discussed in the light of the origin of the North Mediterranean fauna.

Keywords

• Collembola
• Entomobryidae
• Heteromurus
• cave fauna
• Montenegro