Toward a revision of the genus <em>Chelidura</em> Latreille, 1825: designation of the Neotype for <em>Chelidura aptera</em> (Megerle in Charpentier, 1825) (Dermaptera: Forficulidae)

Abstract

Since it is not possible, after several years of research, to locate the type material of Chelidura aptera (Megerle in Charpentier, 1825), type species of the genus Chelidura latreille, 1825, and not being able to define in any way, even vaguely, the terra typica, it was decided to fix a neotype. This neotype is here selected on the basis of its matching with the original description and with the support of molecular data. Three Alpine populations, two Italian and one Swiss, of what is actually considered C. aptera were sampled and sequenced; COI sequences were then compared with Chelidura pyrenaica arverna David &amp; Van Herrewege, 1973 from the Massif Central in France, and other species of the genera Chelidurella, Mesochelidura and Forficula. The separation between C. aptera and C. pyrenaica is strongly supported by DNA barcodes and substantial differences among the three Alpine populations have been detected. The genetically intermediate among the Alpine populations (Italy, Piedmont (Biella), Pennine Alps, lago del Mucrone) is chosen as neotype of Chelidura aptera, furthermore largely matching the original description. Further genetic and morphological investigations will clarify the relations among the Alpine populations and in the early future we expect to extend the analyzes to the majority of the Alpine and non-Alpine populations of Chelidura. In addition, the updated view about the taxonomy and distribution of Chelidura and the first illustration of male genitalia of Chelidura pyrenaica arverna David &amp; Van Herrewege, 1973 are provided.

The Pyrenean species of Chelidura (Dermaptera, Forficulidae)

“…As a consequence, the variability observed in male cerci morphology from the Pyrenees, ranging from long and slightly curved to short and very curved, corresponded to C. pyrenaica, and the presence of C. aptera in the Pyrenees can be rejected. As previously suggested by Maccagno (1933) andFontana et al (2021), the revision of the synonymic list uncovered the misplacement of the name F. simplex Germar, 1825 under the synonymy of C. aptera, while it rather represents a synonym of C. pyrenaica (syn. nov.).…”

“…The cox1 data set included four Pyrenean specimens (with diverse cerci morphology), two specimens from the Italian Alps, one specimen of C. p. arverna from Kirstová et al (2020), and six additional specimens of C. aptera from Fontana et al (2021) (Table 1). One additional specimen of Chelidurella vignai Galvagni, 1995 and another of Chelidurella thaleri Harz, 1980(from Kirstová et al 2020; Table 1) were used as closely related outgroups.…”

“…The species of Chelidura are characterized by absence of wings, a broad and large body with rudimentary tegmina, abdomen strongly dilated towards the posterior end, and flat, rounded and not protruding pygidium (Albouy and Caussanel 1990;Kočárek 2004;Kirstová et al 2020;Fontana et al 2021). The Pyrenean Mountain Chain is inhabited by scattered populations of Chelidura, distributed over the Spanish, Andorran and French sides of the chain (Lapeira and Pascual 1980;Albouy and Caussanel 1990;Herrera-Mesa 1999;Fontana et al 2021). The specific ascription of these Pyrenean populations is subject to discussion.…”

“…The specific ascription of these Pyrenean populations is subject to discussion. Some authors only mentioned the presence of C. pyrenaica (Gené, 1832) in the Pyrenees (Marquet 1877;Finot 1890;de Bormans and Krauss 1900;Houlbert 1900;Xambeu 1903;Kirby 1904;Burr 1904;Xambeu 1907;Hamon 1956;Popham 1968;Vancassel and Foraste 1980;Dauphin 1987;Dusoulier 2004;Fontana et al 2021), while some others considered that C. pyrenaica and also C. aptera (Megerle, 1825), are both present in the Pyrenees (Serville 1839;Fieber 1853;Bolívar 1878;Cazurro Ruiz 1888;Chopard 1922;Boeseman 1954;Amiet 1961;Sakai 1973;Harz and Kaltenbach 1976;Lapeira and Pascual 1980;Caussanel and Albouy 1987;Albouy and Caussanel 1990;Herrera-Mesa 1999).…”

“…In both species, cerci of females are short, thin and practically straight, with a slight curvature at the apex. However, Dohrn (1867), followed by Brunner von Wattenwyl (1882), Maccagno (1933) and Fontana et al (2021) considered that long, thin and slightly curved cerci together with short, broad and very curved cerci were part of the intraspecific variability of each taxon, and questioned the presence of C. aptera in the Pyrenees (or the presence of C. pyrenaica in the Alps). To complicate matters, as already noted by Maccagno (1933), the earliest descriptions of Pyrenean specimens of Chelidura as a differentiated taxon correspond to Forficula simplex Germar, 1825, which was described based on long cerci Pyrenean specimens (Germar 1825).…”