title: Genus Neelus Folsom, 1896 (Hexapoda, Collembola) reveals its diversity in cave habitats: two new species from Croatia.
abstract: Two new species of the genus Neelus Folsom, 1896, N. cvitanovici sp. nov. and N. lackovici sp. nov., are described from caves of Croatia. N. lackovici sp. nov. exhibit marked troglomorphic features such as extremely elongated ungua and antennae, larger body among others. Descriptions are completed with comparative tables for chaetotaxy of antennae and legs. Diagnostic table for the congeners and identification key to the world species are provided. Distribution records of other Neelus species in Croatian caves are added. Threats of troglobiotic Neelus species in Croatia are discussed.
authors.affiliation: State Nature Conservancy of the Slovak Republic, Slovak Caves Administration, Železničná 31, 979 01 Rimavská Sobota, Slovak Republic.; Email: vladimir.papac@ssj.sk.
authors.forename: Vladimír
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Papáč
authors.affiliation: Croatian Biospeleological Society, Demetrova 1, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia.; Email: marko.lukic@hbsd.hr.
authors.forename: Marko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lukić
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Science, P. J. Šafárik University, Moyzesova 11, 040 01 Košice, Slovak Republic.; Email: lubomir.kovac@upjs.sk.
authors.forename: Ľubomír
authors.initials: Ľ
authors.lastname: Kováč
mesh_terms: D063147:Animal Distribution; D000825:Animal Structures / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000254:growth & development; D000818:Animals; D001181:Arthropods / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000145:classification* / Q000254:growth & development; D044822:Biodiversity; D049628:Body Size; D059552:Caves; D017523:Croatia; D017753:Ecosystem; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D009929:Organ Size