A new cryptic species of Chelidurella Verhoeff, 1902 (Dermaptera, Forficulidae) from the Italian Alps: molecular evidence reveals hidden diversity in a high-altitude refugium

The cryptic diversity within the earwig genus Chelidurella Verhoeff, 1902 remains underestimated despite growing evidence from molecular phylogenetic studies. During recent collecting efforts in the Adamello-Presanella Alps, a population of Chelidurella specimens that morphologically resemble C. mutica (Krauss, 1886) but exhibit distinct molecular divergence was discovered. Based on integrative taxonomic analysis combining molecular evidence with detailed morphological examination, Chelidurella maccagnoae Kočárek & Fontana, sp. nov. is described.

Despite sharing the diagnostic shortened pygidium with C. mutica, phylogenetic analysis reveals that C. maccagnoae Kočárek & Fontana, sp. nov. is more closely related to the C. vignai / C. pseudovignai species complex, indicating convergent evolution of this character rather than shared ancestry. An updated identification key to Chelidurella males is provided and the biogeographic implications for understanding Quaternary diversification patterns in flightless Alpine arthropods discussed.