The oniscidean fauna (Crustacea: Isopoda) of the Socotra Archipelago is analysed. Prior to this study only two species of terrestrial isopods were known, but 38 species are now listed. Five genera are described as new, namely Paradoniscus (Olibrinidae), Panchaia and Tamarida (Trachelipodidae), Pseudoagnara (Agnaridae) and Somalodilloides (Eubelidae). Twenty-five new species are also described: Ligia dioscorides, Adoniscus fluviatilis, Paradoniscus aquaticus, P. degeesti, Uluguroscia obscura, U. pohli, U. vandammei, Burmoniscus anophthalmus, Serendibia vagans, S. filiformis, S. samhaensis, Niambia septentrionalis, Panchaia striata, P. marmorata, P. fusca, Tamarida setigera, T. differens, Pseudoagnara wraniki, P. abdalkurii, Somalodillo sulcatus, Somalodilloides laticauda, S. pilosus, Dioscoridillo montanus, D. cavicolus, and D. pubescens. The poorly known Tylos exiguus Stebbing, 1910, which most probably corresponds to the true T. latreillii Audouin, 1826, is fully illustrated together with the previously unknown male of Dioscoridillo melanoleucos Ferrara & Taiti, 1996. The composition and origin of the Socotran oniscidean fauna are analysed. The high level of endemism is discussed and compared with neighbouring continental areas (Horn of Africa and Arabian Peninsula) and other archipelagos in the western Indian Ocean (Comoros, Seychelles, Mascarene).
The terrestrial Isopoda (Crustacea: Oniscidea) of the Socotra Archipelago
Stefano Taiti;
2004
Abstract
The oniscidean fauna (Crustacea: Isopoda) of the Socotra Archipelago is analysed. Prior to this study only two species of terrestrial isopods were known, but 38 species are now listed. Five genera are described as new, namely Paradoniscus (Olibrinidae), Panchaia and Tamarida (Trachelipodidae), Pseudoagnara (Agnaridae) and Somalodilloides (Eubelidae). Twenty-five new species are also described: Ligia dioscorides, Adoniscus fluviatilis, Paradoniscus aquaticus, P. degeesti, Uluguroscia obscura, U. pohli, U. vandammei, Burmoniscus anophthalmus, Serendibia vagans, S. filiformis, S. samhaensis, Niambia septentrionalis, Panchaia striata, P. marmorata, P. fusca, Tamarida setigera, T. differens, Pseudoagnara wraniki, P. abdalkurii, Somalodillo sulcatus, Somalodilloides laticauda, S. pilosus, Dioscoridillo montanus, D. cavicolus, and D. pubescens. The poorly known Tylos exiguus Stebbing, 1910, which most probably corresponds to the true T. latreillii Audouin, 1826, is fully illustrated together with the previously unknown male of Dioscoridillo melanoleucos Ferrara & Taiti, 1996. The composition and origin of the Socotran oniscidean fauna are analysed. The high level of endemism is discussed and compared with neighbouring continental areas (Horn of Africa and Arabian Peninsula) and other archipelagos in the western Indian Ocean (Comoros, Seychelles, Mascarene).I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
