Millipedes (Myriapoda: Diplopoda) of the subterranean environment in the Iberian Peninsula and Balearic Islands

Abstract

Millipedes constitute a very diverse, and yet understudied, group of arthropods, with almost 80 subterranean species adapted to live in the subterranean environment in the Ibero-Balearic region. In the present work, a review of the knowledge on Ibero-Balearic subterranean millipedes is made. A brief introduction, history, and comments on the adaptations of subterranean millipedes are presented. All subterranean millipede species recorded in caves or MSS in each main mountain range of the Ibero-Balearic region, excluding the French Pyrenees, are enumerated. The main differences in subterranean millipede diversity among regions are discussed, and some remarks on relevant species are presented. Additionally, a map with all the 10x10 km UTM squares with subterranean millipede records is given.