taxonID	type	description	language	source
03FA87EBFFF2D906FF20FB3FFCC6B6E8.taxon	description	Figures 2 F – H	en	Ahdiyeh, Abedini, Alireza, Sari, Ghasem, Kashani M. (2025): Terrestrial isopods of the genus Schizidium Verhoeff, 1901 (Isopoda; Armadillidiidae) from the Hyrcaian Forest in northern Iran, including the description of a new species. Zootaxa 5686 (4): 587-594, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5686.4.8, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5686.4.8
03FA87EBFFF2D906FF20FB3FFCC6B6E8.taxon	materials_examined	Material Examined. Guilan Province. Rostamabad to Baresar, Darre-Dasht, 36 ° 48. 2´N, 49 ° 39. 4´E, alt. 1060 m, 17 August 2014, leg. G. M. Kashani, one female (PCGMK 1827); Lahijan, 37 ° 12. 2´N, 50 ° 01. 0´E, 17 August 2014, leg. G. M. Kashani, one male (PCGMK 1832); Lahijan, Zemidan village, 37 ° 9.50´N, 50 ° 2.85´E, alt. 73 m, 8 April 2024, leg. A. Abedini, one female (PCGMK 3308); Lahijan, Zemidan village, 37 ° 9.50´N, 50 ° 2.85´E, alt. 73 m, 8 April 2024, leg. A. Abedini, two males, three females (ZUTC 70148). Zanjan Province. Abbar, Khansar district, Imamzadeh Jafar, 36 ° 55. 30´N, 48 ° 58.11´E, alt. 620 m, 15 August 2023, leg. A. Abedini, one male, one female (PCGMK 3307); Abbar, Khansar district, Imamzadeh Jafar, 36 ° 55. 30´N, 48 ° 58.11´E, alt. 620 m, 15 August 2023, leg. A. Abedini, two males, three females (ZUTC 70149). Mazandaran Province. 5 Km to Marzanabad, 36 ° 23. 7´N, 51 ° 16. 5´E, alt. 735 m, 26 July 2014, leg. G. M. Kashani, six males, nine females, two juv (PCGMK 1923). Chalous, 36 ° 36. 4´N, 51 ° 22. 9´E, alt. 153 m, 27 July 2014, leg. G. M. Kashani, five females (PCGMK 1927); Kodir, 36 ° 27. 2´N, 51 ° 45. 9´E, alt. 1550 m, 28 July 2014, leg. G. M. Kashani, two males, two females (PCGMK 1950); Zirab to Pol-Sefid, 36 ° 08. 5´N, 53 ° 01. 3´E, alt. 550 m, 30 July, 2014, leg. G. M. Kashani, two males, seven females, one juv (PCGMK 1974). Pol-Sefid, Shurmast Lake, 36 ° 05. 3´N, 53 ° 02. 8´E, alt. 950 m, 30 July 2014, leg. G. M. Kashani, eight males, five females (PCGMK 1975); Sangdeh to Farim, 36 ° 05. 7´N, 53 ° 10. 5´E, alt. 1100 m, 30 July 2014, leg. G. M. Kashani, one male, three females, two juv (PCGMK 1979); Farim, 36 ° 11. 0´N, 53 ° 15. 5´E, alt. 755 m, 30 July 2014, leg. G. M. Kashani, one male, two females, seven juv (PCGMK 1982); Farim to Sari, 36 ° 11. 7´N, 53 ° 14. 0´E, alt. 1080 m, 30 July 2014, leg. G. M. Kashani, three females (PCGMK 1983); 20 Km Sari, 36 ° 21. 8´N, 53 ° 10. 5´E, alt. 230 m, 30 July 2014, leg. G. M. Kashani, two males, two females (PCGMK 1986); Neka to Behshahr, Pasandrez, 36 ° 40. 1´N, 53 ° 36. 8´E, alt. 300 m, 31 July 2014, leg. G. M. Kashani, two males, one female (PCGMK 1997); 28 Km to Kiasar, 36 ° 20. 6´N, 53 ° 20. 0´E, alt. 450 m, 5 August 2014, leg. G. M. Kashani, two males, three females (PCGMK 2060); Kiasar to Mehdi-Shahr, 36 ° 13. 1´N, 53 ° 34. 2´E, alt. 1630 m, 5 August 2014, leg. G. M. Kashani, one female (PCGMK 2062). Razan to Baladeh, Takor village, 36 ° 12. 0´N, 52 ° 01.7´E, alt. 1710 m, 11 September 2014, leg. G. M. Kashani, two males, five females (PCGMK 1856). Siah Bisheh to Marzanabad, 36 ° 14. 7´N, 51 ° 18. 0´E, alt. 1780 m, 12 September 2014, leg. G. M. Kashani, one male, four females (PCGMK 1865). Kelardasht, 36 ° 28. 4´N, 51 ° 05. 7´E, alt. 1520 m, 12 September 2014, leg. G. M. Kashani, one female (PCGMK 1869). 28 Km to Pol-Sefid, 35 ° 53. 9´N, 52 ˚ 59.0 ʹ E alt. 1500 m, 8 June 2015, leg. G. M. Kashani, seven males, three females, one juv. (PCGMK 2085). Golestan Province. 12 Km South of Azarshahr, 37 ° 03. 5´N, 55 ° 16. 4´E, alt. 290 m, 2 August 2014, leg. G. M. Kashani, two females (PCGMK 2029). 10 Km to Bandar-e-Gaz, 36 ° 50. 0´N, 54 ° 03. 3´E, alt. - 30 m, 5 August 2014, leg. G. M. Kashani, six males, five females, one juv (PCGMK 2054). Tehran Province. Shemiran, Darband, 35 ° 50. 48´N, 51 ° 25. 33´E, alt. 2020 m, 12 November 2019, leg. A. Abedini, one male, two females (PCGMK 3306); Shemiran, Darband, 35 ° 50. 48´N, 51 ° 25. 33´E, alt. 2020 m, 12 November 2019, leg. A. Abedini, four males, five females (ZUTC 70150). Absard to Eyvanekey, Bidak village, 35 ° 36. 11 ʹ N, 52 ° 9. 3 ʹ E, alt. 1883 m, 29 April 2024, leg. A. Abedini, one male, one female (PCGMK 3309); Absard to Eyvanakey, Bidak village, 35 ° 36. 11 ʹ N, 52 ° 9. 3 ʹ E, alt. 1883 m, 29 April 2024, leg. A. Abedini, three males, seven females (ZUTC 70151).	en	Ahdiyeh, Abedini, Alireza, Sari, Ghasem, Kashani M. (2025): Terrestrial isopods of the genus Schizidium Verhoeff, 1901 (Isopoda; Armadillidiidae) from the Hyrcaian Forest in northern Iran, including the description of a new species. Zootaxa 5686 (4): 587-594, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5686.4.8, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5686.4.8
03FA87EBFFF2D906FF20FB3FFCC6B6E8.taxon	discussion	Remarks. Schizidium persicum was the first species of the genus described from Iran, in Mazandaran and Tehran provinces (Schmalfuss 1986). The present study markedly expanded the geographical range of the species (Fig. 1), distributing it throughout most parts of the Hyrcanian Forest in northern Iran, including Guilan, Mazandaran and Golestan provinces. While the presence of this species in some localities outside the Hyrcanian region, e. g. Tehran and Zanjan provinces, may be due to human activities, the absence of this species in western part of the forest is an issue that requires explanation. One probable reason might be the presence of Armadillidium azerbaidzhanum Schmalfuss, 1990 as a potential competitor. Individuals of this species are the largest in size among all species found in Iran, reaching up to 20 mm in length and 6.5 mm in diameter when rolled, with females larger than males. Members of this species are easily distinguished from other species except S. fissum (Budde-Lund, 1885) and S. tiberianum Verhoeff, 1923, by the inner lobe of the schisma being conspicuously longer than the outer one and by their body coloration (Figs. 2 F – H). Markedly, Schizidium persicum differs from both S. fissum and S. tiberianum by the male pleopod 1 exopodite with (vs. without) a conspicuous hind lobe (see Schmalfuss 1988). In the illustration of male pleopod exopodite 1 presented by Schmalfuss (1986: fig. 32), the hind lobe tapers toward the apex; however, the the hind lobe examined in numerous specimens from several other localities (including topotypes) is rounded in some individuals (Fig. 4 G), demonstrating intra-specific variation of this character in S. persicum.	en	Ahdiyeh, Abedini, Alireza, Sari, Ghasem, Kashani M. (2025): Terrestrial isopods of the genus Schizidium Verhoeff, 1901 (Isopoda; Armadillidiidae) from the Hyrcaian Forest in northern Iran, including the description of a new species. Zootaxa 5686 (4): 587-594, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5686.4.8, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5686.4.8
03FA87EBFFF2D906FF20FB3FFCC6B6E8.taxon	distribution	Distribution. The Caspian region, northern provinces of Iran	en	Ahdiyeh, Abedini, Alireza, Sari, Ghasem, Kashani M. (2025): Terrestrial isopods of the genus Schizidium Verhoeff, 1901 (Isopoda; Armadillidiidae) from the Hyrcaian Forest in northern Iran, including the description of a new species. Zootaxa 5686 (4): 587-594, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5686.4.8, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5686.4.8
03FA87EBFFF1D902FF20FB4DFC9AB0B8.taxon	description	Figures 2 A – E, 3, 4	en	Ahdiyeh, Abedini, Alireza, Sari, Ghasem, Kashani M. (2025): Terrestrial isopods of the genus Schizidium Verhoeff, 1901 (Isopoda; Armadillidiidae) from the Hyrcaian Forest in northern Iran, including the description of a new species. Zootaxa 5686 (4): 587-594, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5686.4.8, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5686.4.8
03FA87EBFFF1D902FF20FB4DFC9AB0B8.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined. Holotype: male, 7 mm, Semnan Province, Shahrood to Azadshahr road, 88 km to Azadshahr, 36 ° 45. 26´N, 55 ° 17. 23´E, alt. 1680 m, 2 May 2024, leg. A. Abedini (ZUTC 70146). Paratypes: same data as holotype, thirteen males, twenty females (ZUTC 70147); same data as holotype, two males, two females (PCGMK 3305).	en	Ahdiyeh, Abedini, Alireza, Sari, Ghasem, Kashani M. (2025): Terrestrial isopods of the genus Schizidium Verhoeff, 1901 (Isopoda; Armadillidiidae) from the Hyrcaian Forest in northern Iran, including the description of a new species. Zootaxa 5686 (4): 587-594, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5686.4.8, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5686.4.8
03FA87EBFFF1D902FF20FB4DFC9AB0B8.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. Head with continuous frontal ridge; conspicuous coloration with yellowish patches on mid-dorsal part of pereonites 1 and 4 – 7; schisma with inner lobe slightly shorter than outer one; pereopod 7 basis wide; male pleopod exopodite I with short triangular hind lobe.	en	Ahdiyeh, Abedini, Alireza, Sari, Ghasem, Kashani M. (2025): Terrestrial isopods of the genus Schizidium Verhoeff, 1901 (Isopoda; Armadillidiidae) from the Hyrcaian Forest in northern Iran, including the description of a new species. Zootaxa 5686 (4): 587-594, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5686.4.8, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5686.4.8
03FA87EBFFF1D902FF20FB4DFC9AB0B8.taxon	description	Description. Maximum body length: male 7 mm, female 11 mm. Coloration: Gray or dark brown, mid-dorsal part of pereonites 1 and 4 – 7 as well as pereon-epimera 1, pleonepimera, uropods and distal part of telson yellowish (Figs 2 A – B). Body convex, tergites smooth; head with continuous frontal ridge (Fig. 2 C); antennule with three articles; antenna flagellum bearing two articles, distal one more than twice as long as proximal one (fig. 3 A). Schisma with inner lobe slightly shorter than outer one (Fig. 2 D). Pereopod 1 ischium almost triangular, carpus with a brush of setae on rostral surface (Fig. 3 B). Telson triangular, its width as wide as long, with slightly concave sides and rounded apex; uropod-exopodite flattened, filling gap between distal part of pleonite 5 and telson (Fig. 2 E). Male: pereopod 1 – 7 merus and carpus with a dense brush of setae on ventral margin; pereopod 7 basis very wide; ischium triangular with a completely straight ventral surface bearing fine setae, with a ring of long setae on distal margin (Figs. 3 C, D). Pleopod endopodite 1 long with straight and pointed apex (Fig. 4 B); exopodite with short triangular distal lobe bearing several scattered long setae (Fig. 4 A). Pleopod endopodite 2 slightly longer than exopodite with very thin distal part; exopodite triangular with deeply concave outer margin bearing several scattered setae (Fig. 4 C). Pleopod exopodites 3 – 5 with concave outer margin bearing two to three rows of setae; hind lobes tapering posteriorly (Figs. 4 D – F).	en	Ahdiyeh, Abedini, Alireza, Sari, Ghasem, Kashani M. (2025): Terrestrial isopods of the genus Schizidium Verhoeff, 1901 (Isopoda; Armadillidiidae) from the Hyrcaian Forest in northern Iran, including the description of a new species. Zootaxa 5686 (4): 587-594, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5686.4.8, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5686.4.8
03FA87EBFFF1D902FF20FB4DFC9AB0B8.taxon	etymology	Etymology. This species is named in honor of Professor Shidokht Hosseinie (Ostavani) of the University of Shiraz for her many years of contributions to zoological studies in Iran, primarily on arthropods.	en	Ahdiyeh, Abedini, Alireza, Sari, Ghasem, Kashani M. (2025): Terrestrial isopods of the genus Schizidium Verhoeff, 1901 (Isopoda; Armadillidiidae) from the Hyrcaian Forest in northern Iran, including the description of a new species. Zootaxa 5686 (4): 587-594, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5686.4.8, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5686.4.8
03FA87EBFFF1D902FF20FB4DFC9AB0B8.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Northern Iran	en	Ahdiyeh, Abedini, Alireza, Sari, Ghasem, Kashani M. (2025): Terrestrial isopods of the genus Schizidium Verhoeff, 1901 (Isopoda; Armadillidiidae) from the Hyrcaian Forest in northern Iran, including the description of a new species. Zootaxa 5686 (4): 587-594, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5686.4.8, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5686.4.8
03FA87EBFFF1D902FF20FB4DFC9AB0B8.taxon	discussion	Discussion. In recent years, several contributions have been conducted on the terrestrial isopods of Iran, increasing our knowledge on these taxa, but much more works still needs to be done. While molecular approaches have been revolutionized the species delimitation almost in all groups of animals including terrestrial isopods; morphological characteristics are still reliable and used extensively in this regard (Padial et al. 2010). In fact, species delimited morphologically provide a foundation for further studies on other aspects of their biology. In the case of terrestrial isopods including the genus Schizidium, besides the male secondary sexual characters, different somatic features have been used to discriminate species (Schmalfuss 2005, 2008; Dimitriou et al. 2023). In this regard, we observe that S. shidokhtae sp. nov. is somewhat similar to S. persicum and appears to have a restricted distribution in the southern range of the latter species (fig. 1). While the pattern of coloration in the members of S. persicum is very similar throughout its geographical range, the new species exhibit a markedly different pattern of coloration, making the distinction of the two species very easy. Additionally, the inner lobe of schisma in the new species is slightly shorter than the outer one, whereas it is conspicuously longer in S. persicum (Schmalfuss 1986). The new species is distinguished from all Schizidium species reported from Greece, Cyprus and SW Turkey by having telson with a rounded apex (vs. truncate apex). Moreover, it differs from the species reported from the neighboring countries in having the male pleopod 1 exopodite with triangular distal lobe (vs. a rounded distal lobe in S. davidi (Dolfuss, 1887) and S. rausi (Schmalfuss, 1988) and head with continuous frontal ridge (vs. interrupted in S. golovatchi Schmalfuss, 1988) (see Schmalfuss 1988).	en	Ahdiyeh, Abedini, Alireza, Sari, Ghasem, Kashani M. (2025): Terrestrial isopods of the genus Schizidium Verhoeff, 1901 (Isopoda; Armadillidiidae) from the Hyrcaian Forest in northern Iran, including the description of a new species. Zootaxa 5686 (4): 587-594, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5686.4.8, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5686.4.8
