Morphology and molecules reveal high species diversity of Ligidium (Crustacea: Oniscidea: Ligiidae) in Jiangxi, China

Abstract

Four species of the genus Ligidium are presented from Jiangxi Province, south-eastern China, based upon morphological characters and molecular data (mitochondrial 12S and 16S rRNA). Three of these species are described as new to science: Ligidium deltodontum sp. nov., Ligidium polyacanthum sp. nov., and Ligidium gracilentum sp. nov. All the new species are described and illustrated. A key to the known Chinese Ligidium species is presented. A map showing the localities in China and predicted potential distribution of the genus is also provided, including the grouped logistic values associated with potential habitats. The results reveal the high species diversity of Ligidium from Jiangxi, demonstrate that the integrative morphological and molecular approach is highly effective for identifying terrestrial isopods, and predict the region in the south of 35°N of China with potential high Ligidium species diversity.