Natura Croatica Issue number: Natura Croatica, Vol. 9 No.2

Croatodirus (nov. gen.) bozicevici n. sp., novi neobični leptodirski tvrdokrilac iz Hrvatske (Coleoptera, Cholevidae)

Authors: Achille Casale, Pier Mauro Giachino, Branko Jalžić

Authors and affiliation

  • Achille Casale University of Sassari (Zoologia). Private: corso Raffaello 12, 10126 Torino, Italia
  • Pier Mauro Giachino World Biodiversity Association onlus. Private: Via della Trinita` 13, I-10010 San Martino Canavese (TO), Italia
  • Branko Jalžić Croatian Biospeleological Society (CBSS), Rooseveltov trg 6, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia

Abstract

Croatodirus, new genus, bozicevici new species (Coleoptera, Cholevidae) are described from the cave Cavern in U~ka Tunnel, Mt. U~ka (Monte Maggiore) near the town of Rijeka (Croatia). The new taxon, provisionally attributed to the phyletic lineage of Antroherpon, is however markedly isolated owing to the following peculiar combination of morphological features: 1) antennal insertion on the posterior 4th of the head; 2) antennomere 1 slightly longer than antennomere 2; 3) pterothorax not pedunculate, mesosternum not carinate; 4) mesocoxal cavities contiguous; 5) tarsal claws widened; 6) protibiae without external apical comb of spines and without external spurs; 7) meso- and metatibiae furnished with inner, unified spurs; 8) aedeagus medium sized, with inner sac without sclerotized pieces; and 9) female stylomeres and spermatheca fully atrophied. The systematic position and the peculiar ecology of this new, exceptional troglobiontic beetle are illustrated and discussed.

Keywords

Croatodirus, bozicevici, new genus, new species, Coleoptera, Cholevidae, systematics

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