| Several species of “philosciid” Oniscidea are known from Brazil, most of them were found in the southern and eastern parts of this country. The genera Atlantoscia Ferrara & Taiti, 1981, Benthana Budde-Lund, 1908 and Balloniscus Budde-Lund, 1908, the latter considered to represent a separate family Balloniscidae Vandel, 1963, are considered the only neotropical philosciids bearing respiratory areas on their pleopods. Therefore, representatives of these genera are re-examined to shed new light on the question whether these species can be considered to be a monophylum with the autapomorphy “respiratory areas present”, The phytogeny of the above-mentioned genera is discussed under morphological and biogeographical aspects. Furthermore, a remarkable new... |
