Integrative taxonomy reveals two new species of Ligidium (Crustacea, Isopoda, Oniscidea) from China

By

Zong, Zili
Wang, Jin
Jiang, Chao
Li, Weichun

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2025-7-10

Original Publication

Zoosystematics and evolution

Volume

101

Series / Issue

Issue: 3

Pages

1187--1195

Subjects

Ligiidae , mitochondrial DNA , Morphology , Phylogenetic analyses , taxonomy

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

Sofia Pensoft

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/zse.101.148504

 

Abstract

Ligidium is the most species-rich genus within the family Ligiidae. In morphological taxonomy, some species are often difficult to identify due to their high morphological similarity. This study evaluates the taxonomic status of nine similar Ligidium species by combining morphological examination with molecular phylogenetic analyses based on two mitochondrial genes (COI, 12S rRNA). Two new species – Ligidium alpinum Li & Jiang, sp. nov. and L. cuspidatum Li & Jiang, sp. nov. – are described from China. Morphological photographs of the new species and three maps showing the geographic distribution patterns of Ligidium species are provided.