Morphology and distribution of the Middle Asian centipede genus Lignau, 1929 (Chilopoda, Geophilomorpha, Mecistocephalidae).

A comprehensive redescription of the poorly known mecistocephalid genus Lignau, 1929 and its two species is provided, based on the examination of type material and new specimens, as well as the critical evaluation of all published information. is confirmed differing from all other Mecistocephalidae especially for a peculiar pattern of areolation and setation of the clypeus. Records from 24 localities indicate that is limited to a narrow area of Middle Asia, from the Western Tian-Shan to the western offshoots of Pamir Mountains. Two species are morphologically distinguishable: (Sseliwanoff, 1881) and Titova, 1975. They differ mainly in details of the clypeus and maxillae, in the pattern of forcipular denticles, and in the number of legs. Verhoeff, 1930 is confirmed as a junior synonym of , and a lectotype is designated for the former.