Rediscovery of Forficula iberica Steinmann, 1981 (Dermaptera: Forficulidae).

Abstract

Forficula iberica Steinmann, 1981 was described from Spain (Province of Zaragoza), but since its description it has remained an unknown taxon, usually ignored or treated as a synonym of F. auricularia Linnaeus, 1758. Field work in central Spain allowed us to collect some specimens of Dermaptera that matched the original description of F. iberica. In addition, the collection of the Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (MNCN-CSIC, Spain) held some specimens assignable to F. iberica confused among other Iberian species. The main objective of this work is to validate the specific status of F. iberica, report its rediscovery in central Spain, and evaluate the diagnostic characters provided by Steinmann (1981). The original description provided by Steinmann is quite complete, and fits precisely the specimens located in the field or at the MNCN, which cannot be associated to any other species of Forficulidae. The comparison of Steinmanns paratypes of F. iberica at the Magyar Termszettudomyi Mzeum (MTM, Budapest), with the specimens obtained in the field, confirms that they can be assigned to F. iberica. The shape of the tegmina of F. iberica is most similar to that of F. lesnei, but differs from that of G. pubescens (obliquely truncated posteriorly). Shape of the cerci of F. iberica is similar to that of G. pubescens and G. brignolii, but different from that of F. lesnei. The genus Guanchia Burr, 1911 was created based on the shape of tegmina (obliquely truncated), but this character is quite variable. In agreement with Vigna Taglianti (2011), we consider that a phylogenetic study of the subfamily Forficulinae is necessary to revise the generic status of the continental species of Forficula included in Guanchia by Steinmann (1993).