Abstract
In this paper we describe Drusus sharrensis sp. n., from the Sharr Mountains in Kosovo. Males of the new species are morphologically most similar to Drusus krusniki Malicky, 1981, Drusus kerek Oláh, 2011 and Drusus juliae Oláh, 2011 but differ mainly in exhibiting (1) a differently shaped spinose area on tergite VIII; (2) intermediate appendages anteriorly curved in lateral view with broad tips in dorsal view; (3) inferior appendages with a distinct dorsal protrusion in the proximal half. Females of the new species are morphologically most similar to Drusus krusniki, Drusus kerek, Drusus juliae, and Drusus plicatus Radovanovic, 1942 but mainly differ in (1) segment X that is longer than the supragenital plate with distinctly pointed tips; (2) supragenital plate quadrangular with a distinct round dorsal protrusion; (3) a vulvar scale with a small median lobe. Results of phylogenetic species delimitation support monophyly of Drusus sharrensis sp. n. and recover it as sister to a clade comprising (Drusus pelasgus Oláh, 2010 + Drusus juliae + Drusus arbanios Oláh, 2010 + Drusus plicatus + (Drusus dacothracus Oláh, 2010 + Drusus illyricus Oláh, 2010)). The new species is a micro-endemic of the Sharr Mountains, a main biodiversity hotspot in the Balkan Peninsula. Main threats to the aquatic ecosystems of this part of the Balkan Peninsula are discussed.
Highlights
The genus Drusus Stephens contains the greatest number of species within the Drusinae
In a B/MCMCMC phylogeny based on partial sequence data from six loci, monophyly of Drusus sharrensis was highly supported (Fig. 5)
A set of six gene fragments was used to infer phylogenetic relationships of taxa in a Bayesian framework to discriminate species. These genes were successfully employed by Vitecek et al (2015a) to assess other relationships among Drusinae
Summary
The genus Drusus Stephens contains the greatest number of species within the Drusinae. The Sharr Mountains represent the border area of three countries, i.e., the Republic of Kosovo, Macedonia, and a small portion extending into north-eastern Albania. This region is characterized by substantial forest ecosystems, diverse geomorphological and hydrological features, and high numbers of endemic and relict species. The name of this mountain range appears in antiquity as “Scardus” “Scordus” or “Scodrus” (Smith 1870) and is reflected in several scientific names, mostly of plants (e.g. scardicus, scardicum, scardica, scardicolum, schariensis) (Anonymous 2010). The Sharr National Park covers five municipalities (Dragash, Prizren, Suharekë, Shtërpce and Kaçanik) in Kosovo with 36% of its total area covered by forest
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