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| Turkmenocampa mirabilis Sendra & Stoev, 2017 |
Abstract
A striking new genus and species of Campodeidae (Diplura), Turkmenocampa mirabilis Sendra & Stoev, gen.n., sp.n., found in Kaptarhana cave in Eastern Turkmenistan is described. This represents the first record of Diplura from Central Asia and also the first terrestrial troglobiont found in Turkmenistan. The new taxon shows several unique characters such as the lack of crests on the telotarsus, the presence of a side-shoot process and the shape of barbs on the ventral side of the laminar telotarsal processes hitherto unknown in other members of this family. Although T. mirabilis is tentatively placed in the subfamily Plusiocampinae, its true affinities remain uncertain. The new finding provides further support to the importance of Kaptarhana as a refuge for a number of endemic invertebrates.
Keywords: Turkmenistan, Koytentag Mountain, Turkmenocampa mirabilis, identification key, Plusiocampinae, cave fauna
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| Figures 1–2. Turkmenocampa mirabilis Sendra & Stoev, sp. n. 1 Dorsal view of the frontal process and right side of the head, holotype 2 Head, ventral view, E23 female paratype. Scale bars: 0.2 mm. |
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| A two-pronged bristletail of the family Campodeidae.
photo: Alberto Sendra
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Turkmenocampa Sendra & Stoev, gen. n.
Type species: Turkmenocampa mirabilis Sendra & Stoev, sp. n.
Etymology: Turkmenocampa is a composite name comprising “Turkmeno”-referring to the type locality and the suffix ‘-campa’ traditionally used in Campodeidae taxonomy. Gender: feminine.
Turkmenocampa mirabilis Sendra & Stoev, sp. n.
Etymology: ‘mirabilis’ is a Latin adjective meaning “unusual, amazing, wonderful, remarkable”. The specific epithet refers to the unique micro-sensilla in the cupuliform organ which resemble sponges and micro-corals.
Habitat: Although Turkmenocampa mirabilis has so far been found only in the larger gallery of the cave, some 200–250 m inside the cave, it might well be that it also inhabits the other main passage of the cave. The species is a troglobiont, all records deriving from the aphotic zone of the cave. No specimens were however observed during the exploration of the cave, those that were trapped being found in humid locations, rich in guano.
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| Entrance of the cave Kaptarhana, Lebap Province, Eastern Turkmenistan.
photo: Aleksandr Degtyarev
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Alberto Sendra, Boris Sket and Pavel Stoev. 2017. A Striking New Genus and Species of Troglobitic Campodeidae (Diplura) from Central Asia. Subterranean Biology. 23; 47-68. DOI: 10.3897/subtbiol.23.14631
Strange troglodyte species found in Turkmenistan cave upi.com/6632360t ข้อมูลจาก @upi
