The southernmost record for a symphylan: Hanseniella guerreroi sp. nov. (Myriapoda, Scutigerellidae), an inhabitant of the Tierra del Fuego archipelago

Abstract

A new species of Symphyla, Hanseniella guerreroi sp. nov., is described from specimens collected during expeditions to the Tierradel Fuego archipelago, including Isla Grande de Tierra del Fuego and Isla de los Estados in Argentina, as well as Isla Navarino inChile. To the best of our knowledge, this new species represents the southernmost record for a myriapod of the class Symphyla. Themorphological affinities of this species with other Hanseniella species from Gondwanan landmasses are discussed, highlighting itspotential for studying the impact of the last Quaternary glaciation on soil arthropods in the far south of the continent. This discoveryprovides important insights into the biogeographic and evolutionary history of soil arthropods in these remote and climaticallychallenging regions. H. guerreroi sp. nov. is an exemplary species adapted to the harsh environmental conditions of subantarcticecosystems and contributes significantly to our understanding of biodiversity and ecological dynamics in such challenging habitats.