A Review of the Distribution and Phylogenetic Relationships of Bristletails of the Genus Haslundichilis Wygodz. (Archaeognatha, Machilidae) with Description of a New Species from Daghestan

Abstract

A review of geographic distribution, phylogenetic relationships, and evolutionary trends of six species of the South Palaearctic genus Haslundichilis Wygodzinsky is performed for the first time. Bristletails of the genus Haslundichilis are common in temperate forest and steppe open landscapes in the foothills and mountains of the East Caucasus, Central Asia, Northwest and East China, and South Korea. The genus originated in the forest landscapes of the West Stenopean (mixed) province wherefrom its representatives spread as far eastwards as South Korea and as far westwards as the mountains of Central Asia and the East Caucasus. The new species Haslundichilis daghestanicasp. n. is the closest to H. afghani, from which it differs in a greater body size, narrower eyes, and more developed sensory fields on the fore femur of the male.