THE CENTIPEDE FAUNA (CHILOPODA) OF THE SOUTH AEGEAN ARCHILPELGO (GREECE, EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN)

Abstract

Current knowledge of the centipedes (Chilopoda) of the south Aegean Archipelago is summarized, with references to material derived mainly from the well-explored islands of the Kyklades (Cyclades) and Dodekanisa (Dodec- anes) and the rich centipede collection of the Natural History Museum of Kriti (Crete). The faunistic elements inhabiting the major geographical regions of the area and the distribution of individual species are presented. Seventy-one species and subspecies are recorded from the south Aegean islands; 33 taxa belong to the Geophilomorpha, 27 to the Lithobiomorpha, 10 to the Scolopen- dromorpha, and 1 to the Scutigeromorpha. To date, 56 species and subspecies are recorded from Dodekanisa, 43 from Kriti, and 38 from Kyklades. Of the south Aegean centipedes, 45% have Mediterranean (s.l.) affinities, 25% European (s.l.), 8% Balkan, 6% west Palaearctic, 6% Turano-Anatolian, 3% Turano-Mediterranean, and 8% are south Aegean endemics. Nineteen species are reported for the first time from Kyklades, 1...