This genus erected by Karl Wilhelm Verhoeff in 1902.[1] The genus name was recently restored (in 2021: several species had been placed in Chelidura) by Kirstová et al., who provide a key for identification of males.[2]
Distribution
The recorded distribution of species, which is possibly incomplete, is mostly in Northern Europe including Britain. A majority of members are restricted to high-altitude habitats with most species showing narrow endemic distributions in the Alps.[3][1]
Species
Thin genus shows a significant amount of taxonomic uncertainty. This has led to new species being described based on subtle combinations of variable features on the pygidium and forceps which vary and overlap between species. In addition, growing evidence from molecular phylogenetic studies shows that this genus diversity may have been underestimated. This was shown with the discovery of cryptic species such as C. pseudovignai and C. maccagnoae.[1]
This combination of flightlessness and restored distribution in the Alps has led to this genus having a low dispersal ability. This make Chelidurella particularly susceptible to such geographic isolation which can potentially lead to cryptic speciation in isolated mountain massifs.[1]
Below is a list of species in the genus Chelidurella, there are currently 11 described species:[3]
12345Verhoeff KW (1902) Über Dermapteren. 1. Aufsatz. Versuch eines neuen, natürlichen Systems auf vergleichend-morphologischer Grundlage und über den Mikrothorax der Insecten. Zoologischer Anzeiger 25: 181–209.
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