A troglobitic species of the centipede cryptops (Chilopoda, scolopendromorpha) from Northwestern Botswana

Abstract

A new species of Cryptops, C. (Cryptops) legagus sp. nov., occurs in caves in the Koanaka and Gcwihaba Hills in northwestern Botswana. Bayesian molecular phylogenetics using 18S rRNA, 28S rRNA, 16S rRNA and cytochrome c oxidase subunit I corroborates a morphological assignment to the subgenus Cryptops and closest affinities to southern temperate species in South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. The new species is not conspicuously modified as a troglomorph.