Geophilus punicus

Geophilus punicus is a species of soil centipede in the family Geophilidae[1] found in the Western Mediterranean, specifically Italy (Sicily, Sardinia) and North Africa (Tunisia). It's an epigeic species, though its habitat preferences are unknown apart from one record from caves, indicating it may also be a trogloxene.[2] The original description of this species is based on male specimens with 43 pairs of legs.[3]

Geophilus punicus
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Myriapoda
Class: Chilopoda
Order: Geophilomorpha
Family: Geophilidae
Genus: Geophilus
Species:
G. punicus
Binomial name
Geophilus punicus
Silvestri, 1896
Synonyms
  • G. flavus var. punicus Silvestri, 1896
  • G. flavidus Koch: Verhoeff, 1925a

Taxonomy

Geophilus punicus was originally described as a subspecies of G. flavus, G. flavus var. punicus, by Silvestri (1896a). It was later raised to species rank by Minelli in the World Catalogue of Centipedes (2006). The name "Geophilus flavidus Koch" published by Verhoeff in 1925 was probably due to a misreading of G. flavus punicus.[2] G. punicus is considered a junior synonym of G. longicornis var. austriacus Latzel, 1880 by Attems (1929 - Das Tierreich, 52: 174), but they actually differ according to the original description.[4]

References

  1. "ITIS - Report: Geophilus punicus". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 16 February 2022.
  2. Zapparoli, Marzio (2009). "An annotated catalogue of the epigeic and cave centipedes (Chilopoda) of Sardinia". Zootaxa. 2318 (1): 56–168. doi:10.11646/zootaxa.2318.1.6. Retrieved 16 February 2022.
  3. Silvestri, Filippo (1896). "Una escursione in Tunisia (Symphyla Chilopoda Diplopoda)". Il Naturalista Siciliano (in Italian). 1: 143-161 [155] via Biodiversity Heritage Library.
  4. "Geophilus punicus Silvestri, 1896". ChiloBase 2.0. Retrieved 16 February 2022.


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