The troglophilic population of Lithobius peregrinus Latzel, 1880 (Chilopoda, Lithobiomorpha) from Gaura cu Muscă Cave – first record of the species in Romania: morphological variations, asymmetry, teratology and behaviour
Journal: Subterranean Biology
Year: 2025

The current study presents the first confirmed record of Lithobius peregrinus Latzel, 1880, in Romania, based on specimens collected from Gaura cu Muscă Cave (Banat Mountains). Over a three–year period (2022–2024), 39 specimens were sampled, revealing significant morphological variations, asymmetries, and teratological features. Morphological assessments, including variations in ocelli count, coxosternal teeth, plectrotaxy, and gonopod structures, were conducted. Directional asymmetry was analyz