The overview of lithobiomorph centipedes (Chilopoda, Lithobiomorpha) from caves of Slovenia

Abstract

Centipedes of temperate regions can be found in various habitats, including forest litter, soil or caves. Slovenia, situated in the Northwestern Balkans, has rich centipede fauna, with one of the earliest scientific descriptions of a cave centipede, Lithobius stygius Latzel, 1880, from Postojnska jama. Many lithobiomorph species have been reported from Slovenian caves, but the data on their occurrence are scattered in the literature or public collections, and several specimens have even remained unexamined. Here we present the overview of lithobiomorph centipedes found in Slovenian caves. Altogether, 21 lithobiomorph species were found in 160 localities. The majority of the records, 319 out of 410, are published for the first time. Only three species are considered exclusively subterranean species, L. stygius, L. zveri and Eupolybothrus obrovensis, while other species are surface dwellers. The potential explanation of surface species presence in caves is discussed. We comment on cases of unresolved taxonomical status and present suggestions for further research needed to resolve them. Even though lithobiomorph centipedes often occur in caves, their role and importance in subterranean habitats remain to be studied.