Contribución a la taxonomía del género Aporcelaimellus Heyns, 1965 sensu lato, con especial atención a sus especies ibéricas

Abstract

This work presents a study of 754 specimens belonging to 37 species of the genera Aporcelaimellus, Aporcella and Metaporcelaimus, including their morphological and morphometric characterization as well as, in some cases, D2-D3 rDNA sequencing. Thirteen known but poorly characterized species are rexamined and redescribed. A total of 19 new species are proposed: two belonging to Aporcella, four to Metaporcelaimus, and 13 to Aporcelaimellus. Emended diagnosis and updated lists of valid species are provided for the genera Aporcelaimellus, Aporcella and Metaporcelaimus. The separation of the genera Aporcelaimellus, Aporcella and Metaporcelaimus is based on morphological criteria and supported by molecular data. The monophyly of the family Aporcelaimidae is not supported and the taxonomical status of this taxon should be matter of analysis. Finally, the inventory of Iberian species is significantly increased since it now consists of two species of Aporcella and 15 species of Aporcelaimellus