Balkanopetalum, Verhoeff, 1926

Stoev, Pavel & Enghoff, Henrik, 2003, Systematics, phylogeny and biogeography of genus Balkanopetalum Verhoeff, 1926 (Diplopoda: Callipodida: Schizopetalidae), Zootaxa 272 (1), pp. 1-26 : 19-20

Key for identification of the species of Balkanopetalum

1 Femoroid of male gonopods with a long, horn­like subdistal process, which is parallel to the main stem and points upward. Collum with 8 anterior and 6 posterior setae. The smallest species of Balkanopetalum (44­48 mm; diameter 2 mm) ................................. ....................................................................................................... rhodopinum Verhoeff

­ Femoroid always without a subdistal process parallel to the main stem. Collum always with 4 anterior setae. Larger species (52­68 mm; diameter 3 mm).............................. 2

2 Gonocoxa with an anterior coxal process which may be divided into two pointed processes, but without a spatulate subanterior process. Solenomerite trifid. Prefemur of male 7th leg­pair either moderately swollen or not modified ...................................... 3

­ Gonocoxa with an anterior coxal processes (subdivided or not) and a spatulate subanterior process. Solenomerite bifid. Prefemur of male 7th leg­pair heavily swollen .... 5

3 Posterior coxal process straight, not curved apically. Femoroid with a small basal tooth ................................................................................................................ beskovi Strasser

­ Posterior coxal process heavily curved at its apical part. Femoroid without a basal tooth.......................................................................................................................................4

4 Femoroid strongly enlarged, forming a shield around solenomerite and entirely covering it in lateral view. Distal femoroidal process short, evenly rounded. Ovoid plate short, evenly rounded apically. Prefemur of male 7th leg­pair moderately swollen ...... .................................................................................................................. graecum sp. n.

­ Femoroid not broadened, not covering solenomerite in lateral view. Distal femoroidal process long, sharp. Ovoid plate moderately long, unevenly rounded apically. Prefemur of male 7th leg­pair not modified ....................................................... petrovi sp. n.

5 Subanterior coxal process very large, mushroom­shaped. Posterior coxal process not divided at its apical part. Femoroid with single anterior part, pointing upwards. Distal process of the femoroid not divided ................................................... armatum Verhoeff

­ Subanterior coxal process elongated. Posterior coxal process divided into two branches at its apical part. Femoroid divided into two parts at its apical part, pointing downwards. Distal process of femoroid divided into two parts .......... bulgaricum sp. n.