NEW RECORD OF THE GENUS HOMOLOPHUS (OPILIONES: PHALANGIIDAE) IN TURKEY AND SEM STUDIES ON ITS MORPHOLOGY

Abstract

In this study, Homolophus nakhichevanicus Snegovaya, 2012 (Opiliones: Phalangiidae) was recorded in Turkey for the first time. This is only the second known location for this species, the first being the type locality (Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic, Azerbaijan). The morphological characteristics are described along with a scannig electron microscope (SEM) study on the dorsal aspect, crown-shape on cephalothorax, ocularium, chelicera, pedipalp, the first pair of legs. The male genitalia of the specimens are also presented.