Hebrus franzi (Wagner, 1957)

(Fig. 65)

Neogaeus [sic] franzi Wagner, 1957: 201 . Holotype: ♂, Italy: Alpi Apuane, Stazzema env. (ZMUH) (see Cianferoni et al. 2016).

Distribution (Fig. 65). Italy: Emilia-Romagna (Cianferoni et al. 2016); Tuscany (Wagner 1957; Servadei 1958, 1967, 1969; Cianferoni et al. 2016).

Comment. Tamanini (1979) expressed his doubts about the validity of this species. However, the identity of this exceptional apterous species was confirmed recently based on newly collected material (Cianferoni 2015, Cianferoni et al. 2016).

Subgeneric placement. Cianferoni et al. (2016) mentioned that the antenna of H. franzi is tetramerous, without distinct membranous subdivision of antennal segment IV. This would exclude H. franzi from the subgenera Hebrusella as well Hebrus s. str. as defined by Poisson (1944). They commented that subgeneric division needs further study on a world-wide scale and phylogenetic context, and did not consider the subgeneric assignment of H. franzi . We prefer to list this taxon as Hebrus incertae sedis without subgeneric placement.