Sierra Nevada (Granada, Spain): a high-altitude biogeographical crossroads for millipedes (Diplopoda), with first data on its MSS fauna and description of a new species of the genus Ceratosphys Ribaut, 1920 (Chordeumatida: Opisthocheiridae)

José D. Gilgado, Henrik Enghoff, Alberto Tinaut, Jean-Paul Mauriès, Vicente M. Ortuño

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    Abstract

    Millipedes (Diplopoda), with a few notable exceptions, are poor dispersers, showing a very high degree of endemicity, not the least in mountains. The first samplings of the Mesovoid Shallow Substratum (MSS) of the higher altitudes of the Sierra Nevada Mountains (Baetic System, Southern Spain) have led to the discovery of a high number of millipedes, each of the species present showing a different degree of establishment in this subterranean environment. An update of the knowledge on the millipedes of this region, the first data of the millipede communities in the MSS and the description of Ceratosphys cryodeserti Gilgado, Mauriès & Enghoff n. sp. are here provided, as well as the first data on the humidity and temperature fluctuations in the MSS of this high mountain. The new species is similar to other Baetico-Riffan species, while the only previously known congener from the region, C. soutadei Mauriès, 1969, has more similarities to certain Pyrenean species. Biogeographical relationships of all the captured species are also discussed.
    OriginalsprogEngelsk
    TidsskriftZootaxa
    Vol/bind4044
    Udgave nummer3
    Sider (fra-til)391-410
    Antal sider20
    ISSN1175-5326
    DOI
    StatusUdgivet - 19 nov. 2015

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