Kalliste, Martens, 2018

Martens, Jochen, 2018, A European discovery: Kalliste pavonum gen. nov., sp. nov., the smallest phalangiid species known to date (Arachnida: Opiliones: Phalangiidae), Revue suisse de Zoologie 125 (1), pp. 155-164 : 156

Kalliste gen. nov.

Type species: Kalliste pavonum sp. nov. (by original designation).

Diagnosis: Characterized by male genital morphology: truncus penis stout and massive, penial muscle much extended over more than proximal half of truncus. A subapical triangular tooth on lower (dorsal) side of penial stylus. Pedipalpal claw ventrally equipped with two thin proximal filiform denticles on a broader base. Strong and stout pedipalps with pro-lateral apophyses on femur (in female only), patella and tibia (in both sexes). Large elevated tuber oculorum occupying more than half of prosoma length. Small body size (1.8- 2.0 mm in males, 1.9-2.6 mm in females).

Distribution: The single species of the new genus is known from two high-altitude localities in the mountains of central Corsica, France.

Name: Kalliste (τῇ καλλίστῃ) is one of the historical names of Corsica, used in times when the island was colonized by Greeks. It denominates the feminine superlative of kalós (καλός), “the most beautiful”. The gender is feminine.

Relationships: See Discussion.