Integrative taxonomy reveals two new species of Ligidium (Crustacea, Isopoda, Oniscidea) from China

Ligidium is the most species-rich genus within the family Ligiidae. In morphological taxonomy, some species are often difficult to identify due to their high morphological similarity. This study evaluates the taxonomic status of nine similar Ligidium species by combining morphological examination with molecular phylogenetic analyses based on two mitochondrial genes (COI, 12 S rRNA).

Two new species – Ligidium alpinum Li & Jiang, sp. nov. and L. cuspidatum Li & Jiang, sp. nov. – are described from China. Morphological photographs of the new species and three maps showing the geographic distribution patterns of Ligidium species are provided.