New and interesting Peritelini of the Western Mediterranean fauna. XX. A novel Meira (Jacquelin du Val, 1852) species from the Ligurian Alps

摘要

Meira diottii, nov.sp. from the Ligurian Alps is described. Relevant anatomical characters are detailed and illustrated with drawings and photography. Characteristic sensilla on the penis are identified and illustrated with scanning electron microscopy. Relationships with other Meira species are proposed.Originally described by Camille Jacquelin du Val in 1852, the genus Meira was revised by Pierotti & Bello in 1998. A small series of individuals from the Ligurian Appennines and sent to one of the authors (HP) by our friend and colleague Luciano Dotti, and additional samples later collected at the same localities by the authors and by Diotti, represent a novel species, described here. Another set of samples from the Western Ligurian coast are not identical to the topotypic ones but are to be consideredas belonging to the same new species.The collections holding the type specimens are indicated by the following acronyms: cCB = coll. Cesare Bello, Castelfranco Veneto (Treviso); cGO = coll. Giuseppe Osella, Verona; cHP = coll. Helio Pierotti, Treviso; cLD = coll. Luciano Diotti, Cinisello Balsamo (Milan); cMNHG = coll. Museum d'Histoire Naturelle, Geneva.