The multiformity of antennal chaetae in Troglopedetes Joseph, 1872 (Collembola, Paronellidae, Troglopedetinae), with descriptions of two new species from Thailand.

Abstract

Two new species of the genus Troglopedetes Joseph, 1872 (T. meridionalissp. nov. and T. kaesp. nov.) are described from caves of the Thai peninsula. This is the first report of the genus south of the Kra Isthmus. The two new species have two rows of dental spines shared by all Thai Troglopedetes. They differ from other members of the genus mainly in the arrangement of dorsal chaetotaxy on head. The antennal chaetotaxy of the two species is analysed in detail in the second part of the paper. All types of antennal chaetae of both new species and their distribution patterns are described for each antennal segment: scales, ordinary chaetae, S-chaetae and subapical organite of Ant. IV. Twenty different types of chaetae are recognised and all except one are present in both species. The total numbers of ordinary chaetae and S-chaetae and their patterns of distribution on antenna are very similar between the two species (483 vs. 518 ordinary chaetae; 207 vs. 208 S-chaetae). Each type of chaetae has its own distribution pattern, markedly contrasted between dorsal and ventral side of antennae, and between antennal segments. This diversity of morphologies and distribution patterns and their similarity between the two species, as well as differences with other species of the same family, suggest that antennal chaetotaxy could provide powerful new characters for the taxonomy of Troglopedetes and related genera.