Integrated taxonomy reveals multiple species in the Dendrobaena byblica (Rosa, 1893) complex (Oligochaeta: Lumbricidae)

Dendrobaena byblica (Rosa, 1893) is a Circum-Mediterranean species complex composed of at least 17 nominal taxa. Regarding the most important species characters (clitellum and tubercles) the worms belonging to the genus Fitzingeria Zicsi, 1978 seem to be very close to the D. byblica species group. Here we provide the first molecular phylogenetic analysis of the byblica species group and the Fitzingeria species, and show that the genus Fitzingeria is polyphyletic and groups together with the Carpathian and Balkanic deeply pigmented byblica forms. The other main clade consists of the 'classical' byblica species. The morphological characteristics also support these results. On the basis of the molecular and morphological characters the species of the former Fitzingeria were relegated to Dendrobaena and four new species were described together with a new replacement name Dendrobaena carpathoMontana nom. nov. for F. platyura Montana (Černosvitov, 1932).