Dignathodon microcephalus

Taxonomic and nomenclatural notes. Dignathodon pachypus Verhoeff, 1943 is recognized here as a junior synonym of Dignathodon microcephalus (Lucas, 1846) (new syn.). The taxonomic distinction of D. pachypus had been already doubted by Minelli (1982), nevertheless the name was applied unwarrantedly to specimens found in Crete and Cyprus (Simaiakis et al. 2 006). After re-assessing all the information provided by Verhoeff (1943, 1951) on the morphology of D. pachypus, and after examining specimens collected close to the type locality of D. pachypus, we can not confirm any of the putative differences described between D. pachypus and D. microcephalus, including shape and elongation of the first and terminal articles of the antennae, shape of the anterior margin of the forcipular coxosternite, direction of denticles on the forcipules, degree of swelling and elongation of the articles of the ultimate legs, evidence of the articulations between the tarsal articles of the ultimate legs, and degree of reduction of the ultimate claws. Within geophilomorphs, most of these characters are known to be affected by individual variation and therefore are not currently given any taxonomic significance. Moreover, the characters referring to the ultimate legs are known to be variable in D. microcephalus throughout most of its range, as acknowledged by the same Verhoeff (1943).

Distribution in Israel: most specimens are from Mediterranean regions ranging from the Judean plains to the Lower Galilee, with average annual temperatures ranging from 16 – 22 ˚ C and annual precipitation between 300 – 750 mm. A published record from near the Dead Sea in 1890 (Porat 1893) is from an extreme desert habitat and requires confirmation (Figure 2 A). Global Distribution: the species is widespread around the Mediterranean Sea, both in continental lands and islands.

New records: Eshkolot check point, East of Lahav (2 specimens 2012); Jerusalem-Talpiot (3 specimens 1957); Lahav (1 specimen 1964); Upper Nahal ‘ Amud (2 specimens 2011).