Diplopoda and Chilopoda of Thuringia, Germany

Abstract

Intensive recent sampling in Thuringia has greatly increased the species lists for both Chilopoda (to 30 species) and Diplopoda (to 52 species). First results concerning the species distribution in the different biogeographical regions in Thuringia and the relationship to the European zoogeography of myriapods are presented. The central position of Thuringia in Europe is clearly reflected in its myriapod fauna: most species are central European or pan-European and many species have a distribution limit within Thuringia (e.g. Polydesmus complanatus, P. angustus, Haasea germanica, H. flavescens, Strongylosoma stigmatosum). Some species are new (Brachychaeteuma bradeae, Boreoiulus tenuis and Macrosternodesmus palicola) or rare (Glomeris tetrasticha) in Thuringia. Haploporatia eremita was rediscovered almost 100 years after its first recording.