taxonID	type	description	language	source
03FA87DFFFFDFF87FF3B28B0FB17FAD0.taxon	materials_examined	Holotype, female labeled as “ Kursk Region, Central Tsernozemny State Nature Reserve, meadow steppe, 17. X. 1957. Yu. B. Byzova leg. ” Additional material. 8 females, Russia (European part), Middle Volga River Basin, Penza Region, “ Privolzhskaya Lesostep ” State Nature Reserve, meadow steppe with Brachypodium pinnatum, sandy loam chernozems, soil (0 – 10 cm), 52.4858 o N 46.2113 o E, 22 September 2017; 8 females, same biotope, but 01 October 2019; 1 female, same biotope, but 27 September 2018; 4 females, same biotope, but 18 September 2020; 1 female, same area, 52.4860 o N 46.2116 o E, steppe meadow with sparse undergrowth of trees (pine, oak), shrubs (broom) on forest border, 15 September 2022. All Yu. Shveenkova leg.; 5 females, north-western Kazakhstan, Zhanibek Research Station [49.42 o N 46.85 o E], semi-desert, 02 October 2002. V. Beiko leg.	en	Babenko, Anatoly, Shveenkova, Yulia, Arbea, Javier I. (2025): Two new and two little-known species of the genus Axenyllodes Stach, 1949 from Russia and Kazakhstan. Zootaxa 5583 (1): 154-170, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5583.1.9, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5583.1.9
03FA87DFFFFDFF87FF3B28B0FB17FAD0.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. A species of the genus characterized by the presence of 6 differentiated dorsal sensilla and a rather large microsensillum on Ant. IV; 2 + 2 large ocelli without traces of dark pigment under them; coarse cuticular granulation with rather small oval fields with finer granules on the head and terga; triangular shape of PAO, sometimes slightly hidden under cuticular fold; the absence of lateral microsensilla and the presence of setae m 1 on Th. II – III; the basic generic type of VT, tenaculum and furca; 10 – 10 – 9 setae on the tibiotarsi, some of which being clearly longer and 7 – 7 – (6) 7 setae on the femora; manubrial field with 7 + 7 setae and rather large AS set on subequal papillae.	en	Babenko, Anatoly, Shveenkova, Yulia, Arbea, Javier I. (2025): Two new and two little-known species of the genus Axenyllodes Stach, 1949 from Russia and Kazakhstan. Zootaxa 5583 (1): 154-170, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5583.1.9, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5583.1.9
03FA87DFFFFDFF87FF3B28B0FB17FAD0.taxon	description	Redescription. Length (without antennae) 0.62 – 0.74 mm. Habitus typical of the genus: body prolong, appendices short. Colour white without any traces of dark pigment. Tegument granulation coarse, secondary granules rounded at tip. Head, thorax and abdomen with small fields of finer granulations located symmetrically with respect to medial line (Fig. 1). Antennae about as long as head. Ant. IV with a large simple vesicle apically, six rather thin, but clearly differentiated sensilla with pointed apices (three dorso-external [S 7 – S 9] and three dorso-internal [S 1, S 2, S 4]), ms large and broadened at apex, notably shorter in length than sensilla, subapical organite present (Fig. 2); ventral side of Ant. IV with few ordinary setae (Fig. 3). Antennal organ of Ant. III typical, inner sensilla small, sgv & sgd about twice as long, ms and 16 – 17 ordinary setae present on Ant. III. Ant. I – II with 7 and 10 setae, respectively. Head with 2 + 2 rather large ocelli, their diameter equal to 0.44 – 0.53 of PAO length, distance between them usually smaller than their diameter (0.7 – 0.9: 1). PAO triangular in shape, located in a cavity and sometimes slightly hidden under a small cuticular fold (Fig. 4). Buccal cone short, typical of the genus. Labrum with three prelabral and 8 labral setae, medial pair of setae in anterior row stronger, with tips curved laterally. Maxillary palp simple. Labium with five apical spinules and three common setae subequal to them in length. Basomedial and basolateral fields of labium with 4 + 4 setae, respectively. Maxilla typical of the family with strong, triangular head, mandibles invisible. Ventral side of head with 3 + 3 postlabial setae along ventral line (Fig. 5). Ordinary setae on dorsal side of body smooth and acuminate, slightly longer on last abdominal terga, sensilla undifferentiated (Fig. 1). Main characteristics of dorsal chaetotaxy: setae m 1 present on Th. II – III and absent from Abd. IV; Th. II – III with three setae present in a-row (a 1, a 3 and a 5), a 2 and a 4 absent from both terga, m-row with two setae (m 1 and m 4) and a lateral sensillum in m 6 position, and five setae in p-row, lateral microsensilla invisible; a-row on Abd. I – III complete, with five setae (a 1, a 2, a 3, a 4 and a 5). Thoracic sterna without setae. Ventral tube with 3 + 3 distal setae, one seta also present on each side of VT on sternum of Abd. I, Abd. II – III with 4 – 5 ventral setae on each side (Fig. 6). Tenaculum with 2 + 2 teeth. Furca small (Figs 6 – 7, 12), manubrium with 4 + 4 setae on main part, 1 + 1 basal setae and 2 + 2 basolateral setae (7 + 7 altogether); dorsal side of dens with two setae and rather fine granulation. Mucro about as long as dens, strongly hooked, lateral lamella not especially high and poorly visible. Anal spines strong and curved, set on subequal papillae. Anal opening located almost terminally (Fig. 8). Legs I – III with 1, 2, 2 setae on upper subcoxae, 0, 2, 2 setae on lower subcoxae, 3, 5, 5 setae on coxae, 5, 5, 4 on trochanters, 7, 7, (6) 7 setae on femora, and 10 – 10 – 9 setae on each tibiotarsi, the latter setae clearly differing in length. Unguis toothless, unguiculus tiny, needle-shaped (Fig. 9).	en	Babenko, Anatoly, Shveenkova, Yulia, Arbea, Javier I. (2025): Two new and two little-known species of the genus Axenyllodes Stach, 1949 from Russia and Kazakhstan. Zootaxa 5583 (1): 154-170, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5583.1.9, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5583.1.9
03FA87DFFFFDFF87FF3B28B0FB17FAD0.taxon	discussion	Remarks. The only known type specimen, which the original description was based on, has only one anal spine at the end of the abdomen (Fig. 11) and one additional seta (a 4) on Th. III (Fig. 10). The presence of the latter seta was also sometimes observed in our material, but rather rarely and usually asymmetrically. Otherwise, the holotype fully corresponds to the above description. In 1964, when the original description of A. ghilarovi appeared, only two species were known, which currently considered representing the genus Axenyllodes: A. bayeri and A. caecus. Of these, only the former one has, like A. ghilarovi, 2 + 2 ocelli, and naturally Martynova compared her new species to this very species. These two species are easily distinguished by the shape of the PAO — four-lobed in A. bayeri and triangular in A. ghilarovi. There are also a number of other morphological differences presented in Table 1. However, at least six species of the genus are presently known that, like both A. bayeri and A. ghilarovi, are characterized by the presence of 2 + 2 ocelli: A. minitaurus (Ellis, 1976), A. microphthalmus Fjellberg, 1995, A. marci Thibaud & Peja, 1996, A. ukrainus, A. sinensis Tamura in Tamura & Yue, 1999, and A. britannicus Thibaud, 2006 (Table 1). Of these, four species, A. minitaurus, A. microphthalmus, A. ukrainus, and A. britannicus, are characterized by the presence of anal spines and the most complete number of tibiotarsal setae in the genus, while A. marci lacks anal spines, whereas A. sinensis has only 7 setae on each tibiotarsus. Axenyllodes microphthalmus, described from the Canary Islands, differs primarily by the very small size and the position of the ocelli: ocelli separated by 3 – 4 times their own diameter (Fjellberg 1995, p. 153), whereas this distance is subequal in A. ghilarovi. Axenyllodes minitaurus (Crete) can easily be distinguished from A. ghilarovi by the location of the PAO: in the former species it is sunken below the integument in a cavity communicating with the surface via a triangular fissure (Ellis 1976, p. 255), while in the latter it is only sometimes partially hidden on one side under a small cuticular fold. Besides this, A. minitaurus appears to have less setae on the manubrial field: 5 + 5, vs 7 + 7 in A. ghilarovi. Axenyllodes britannicus is also fairly easily distinguished from A. ghilarovi, since it is characterized, according to the original description, by the presence of lateral microsensilla and the absence of setae m 1 on the thoracic segments. It appears especially difficult to distinguish A. ghilarovi from A. ukrainus, primarily due to the relatively incomplete description of the latter species. The known morphological differences between these species are confined to the shape of the PAO (three-lobed in A. ukrainus, vs broadly triangular in A. ghilarovi) and the number of setae on the manubrial field: A. ukrainus is said to have 3 + 3 basolateral setae as in Fig. 13, while A. ghilarovi always has only two setae in this position (Fig. 6 – 7, 12). There are also some minor differences in the fine structure of the antennal organ. In A. ghilarovi, sgv & sgd are clearly longer than inner sensilla of Ant. III, whereas A. ukrainus, according to the fig. 1 in Thibaud & Taraschuk (1997), has subequal sensilla and ms in Ant. III. The two species are probably also distinct ecologically: although they were described from adjacent areas, the type specimens of A. ukrainus were collected on a sandy beach of the Black Sea, while A. ghilarovi clearly prefers rather rich steppe areas. Below one more species with 2 + 2 ocelli, A. chinki sp. nov., is described. Axenyllodes ghilarovi can hardly be compared to it, since it has no anal spines and only 7 – 7 – 7 tibiotarsal setae (see also Table 1).	en	Babenko, Anatoly, Shveenkova, Yulia, Arbea, Javier I. (2025): Two new and two little-known species of the genus Axenyllodes Stach, 1949 from Russia and Kazakhstan. Zootaxa 5583 (1): 154-170, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5583.1.9, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5583.1.9
03FA87DFFFF8FF86FF3B2F95FCFDF8E4.taxon	materials_examined	Studied material. Russia: 8 females and 1 juvenile, Middle Volga River Basin, Penza Region, “ Privolzhskaya Lesostep ” State Nature Reserve, xerophytic steppe with fescue on sandy soil (Festuca polesica, Stipa borysthenica; Potentilla argentea), 52.4816 o N 46.2027 o E, 22 September 2017; 11 females and 7 juveniles, same biotope, but 27 September 2018; 30 females and 1 juvenile, same habitat, but 01 October 2019; 2 females, same area, meadow steppe with Brachypodium pinnatum, 52.4858 o N 46.2113 o E, 15 September 2021. All Yu. Shveenkova leg.; 1 female, Arkhangelsk Region, Pinega State Nature Reserve [64.56 o N 43.26 o E], entrance to Golubinsky proval cave, Poa sp., 21 September 2004. A. Babenko leg. Kazakhstan: 12 females, Pavlodar Region, Motogul [53.39 o N, 75.87 o E], small birch grove, nest of Formica polyctena, 08 – 09 September 1977. S. K. Stebaeva leg.; 5 females, same area, date and collector, but steppe with Stipa spp. and Silaum silaus. Spain: 2 females (MNCN _ Ent 45863 and 75086), Leiva, La Rioja Province, fruit culture, 42.5003 º N 3.0497 º W, 20 January 2004, C. Gutiérrez Martín leg.; 3 females (MNCN _ Ent 109949, 109950 and 109951), Vallecas, Madrid Province, grass on gypsum soil (sierozem), 40.3589 º N 3.6322 º W, 4 April 1954, W. Steiner leg.; 2 females (MNCN _ Ent 45366 and 45373), Abejar, Cabreja Range, Soria Province, juniper leaf litter (Juniperus thurifera), 41.7961 º N 2.7878 º W, A. Signoret leg. The material is stored in the Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (MNCN) in Madrid.	en	Babenko, Anatoly, Shveenkova, Yulia, Arbea, Javier I. (2025): Two new and two little-known species of the genus Axenyllodes Stach, 1949 from Russia and Kazakhstan. Zootaxa 5583 (1): 154-170, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5583.1.9, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5583.1.9
03FA87DFFFF8FF86FF3B2F95FCFDF8E4.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. A species of the genus distinguished from all other known congeners by its large PAO that usually having four irregular lobes.	en	Babenko, Anatoly, Shveenkova, Yulia, Arbea, Javier I. (2025): Two new and two little-known species of the genus Axenyllodes Stach, 1949 from Russia and Kazakhstan. Zootaxa 5583 (1): 154-170, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5583.1.9, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5583.1.9
03FA87DFFFF8FF86FF3B2F95FCFDF8E4.taxon	description	Description based on specimens from Russia and Spain. Length (without antennae) 0.43 – 0.53 mm. Habitus typical of the genus. Colour white, without any traces of dark pigment. Tegument granulation coarse, secondary granules rounded at tip. Head and all terga from Th. I to Abd. V with rounded fields with finer granulations located more or less symmetrically with respect to medial line (Fig. 16). Antennae about as long as head. Ant. IV with a large simple vesicle apically, six rather thin, but clearly differentiated sensilla with pointed apices (three dorso-external [S 7, S 8, S 9] and three dorso-internal [S 1, S 2, S 4]), ms rather large and broadened at apex, notably shorter in length than sensilla, subapical organite present (Fig. 19); ventral side of Ant. IV with few ordinary setae (Fig. 18). Antennal organ of Ant. III typical, all its sensilla and ms subequal (Fig. 17). Ant. I – III with 7, 10 and 15 – 17 ordinary setae, respectively. Head with 2 + 2 ocelli, their diameter equal to 0.38 – 0.50 of PAO length, distance between them usually longer than their diameter (1.0 – 1.6: 1). PAO large (9 – 13 μm in length) and irregularly lobed, located in a depression (Fig. 20), sometimes partly hidden under cuticular folds. Buccal cone short, typical of the genus. Labrum with 8 usual setae, medial pair of setae in anterior row stronger, with tips curved laterally, only two prelabral setae always present. Maxillary palp simple. Labium with five apical spinules and three common setae subequal to them in length. Basomedial and basolateral fields of labium with 4 + 4 setae, respectively. Maxilla typical of the family with strong, triangular head, mandibles invisible. Ventral side of head in adults with 3 + 3 postlabial setae along ventral line (Fig. 21), but juveniles often with 2 + 2 postlabial setae. Ordinary setae on dorsal side of body smooth and acuminate, slightly longer on last abdominal terga, sensilla undifferentiated (Fig. 16). Main characteristics of dorsal chaetotaxy: Th. II – III with three setae present in a-row (a 1, a 3 and a 5), two setae and sensilla in m-row (m 1, m 4 and S [= m 6]) and five setae in p-row, lateral microsensilla invisible; Abd. I – III with 4 – 5 setae in a-row (seta a 4 often absent); Abd. IV without setae m 1. Thoracic sterna without setae. Ventral tube with 3 + 3 distal setae, one seta also present on each side of VT on sternum of Abd. I, Abd. II – III with 4 and 5 ventral setae on each side, respectively (Fig. 22). Tenaculum with 2 + 2 teeth. Furca small (Figs 13, 22), manubrium with 4 + 4 setae on main part, 1 + 1 basal setae and 3 + 3 basolateral setae (8 + 8 setae in total); dorsal side of dens with two setae and rather fine granulation. Mucro about as long as dens, strongly curved, lateral lamella not especially high. Anal spines strong and curved, set on subequal papillae. Legs I – III with more or less stable sets of setae: 1, 2, 2 setae on upper subcoxae, 0, 2, 2 setae on lower subcoxae, 4, 4, 4 setae on coxae, 5, (4) 5, 4 – 5 on trochanters, 8, 8, 8 setae on femora, and 10 – 10 – 9 (10) setae on each tibiotarsus, the latter setae clearly differing in length. Unguis toothless, unguiculus needle-shaped and rather long (Fig. 23).	en	Babenko, Anatoly, Shveenkova, Yulia, Arbea, Javier I. (2025): Two new and two little-known species of the genus Axenyllodes Stach, 1949 from Russia and Kazakhstan. Zootaxa 5583 (1): 154-170, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5583.1.9, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5583.1.9
03FA87DFFFF8FF86FF3B2F95FCFDF8E4.taxon	discussion	Remarks. Axenyllodes bayeri, the type species of the genus, differs quite radically from all other representatives of the genus by its unique shape of the PAO. It is widespread in the Palaearctic and, in addition to the original description from the Czech Republic, there are several more or less detailed redescriptions (Stach 1949; Gisin 1960; Pallissa 1964; Jordana et al. 1997; Fjellberg, 1995), between which and the above description, being mainly based on material from the Volga region, there are but few discrepancies. The most important of these is the presence or absence of lateral microsensilla on the thoracic segments. According to fig. 117 in Jordana et al. (1997), the Spanish specimens have microsensilla on both thoracic segments. It appears that Thibaud’s statement (2006, p. 114) of the presence of lateral sensilla is based on this figure: thorax II et III avec chacun 1 paire de microsensilles ms. We have revised the specimens from Spain (La Rioja, Soria, Madrid) which served for the description in the Ibérian Fauna, but did not find the ms on Th. II – III. Thus, we can confidently say that the material described above from the Central Palaearctic belongs to the same species that occurs in Europe.	en	Babenko, Anatoly, Shveenkova, Yulia, Arbea, Javier I. (2025): Two new and two little-known species of the genus Axenyllodes Stach, 1949 from Russia and Kazakhstan. Zootaxa 5583 (1): 154-170, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5583.1.9, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5583.1.9
03FA87DFFFFBFF8AFF3B2AC8FEB0F933.taxon	description	Figs 24 – 31	en	Babenko, Anatoly, Shveenkova, Yulia, Arbea, Javier I. (2025): Two new and two little-known species of the genus Axenyllodes Stach, 1949 from Russia and Kazakhstan. Zootaxa 5583 (1): 154-170, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5583.1.9, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5583.1.9
03FA87DFFFFBFF8AFF3B2AC8FEB0F933.taxon	materials_examined	Type material. Holotype: female, Kazakhstan, Turkistan Region, Kyzylkum sandy desert, basin of Syr Darya River, 85 km W of Arys, 42.2325 oN 67.8128 oE, 230 m alt., bottom of SE slope of “ Small Chink ”, pit-traps, 14 – 16 October 2023. L. Kim leg. Paratypes: 6 females and 4 juveniles, same data as holotype.	en	Babenko, Anatoly, Shveenkova, Yulia, Arbea, Javier I. (2025): Two new and two little-known species of the genus Axenyllodes Stach, 1949 from Russia and Kazakhstan. Zootaxa 5583 (1): 154-170, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5583.1.9, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5583.1.9
03FA87DFFFFBFF8AFF3B2AC8FEB0F933.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. A species of the genus, characterized by the presence of (6) 7 clearly differentiated dorsal sensilla and a rather large microsensillum on Ant. IV; 2 + 2 ocelli with traces of dark pigment under each of them; a distinct pattern of cuticular granulation on the terga; a specific form of PAO, almost completely hidden under the cuticular fold; the absence of lateral microsensilla and the presence of setae m 1 on Th. II – III; the basic type of VT, tenaculum and furca; the tibiotarsi with 7 – 7 – 7 setae, two of which are distinctly clavate; and the absence of AS.	en	Babenko, Anatoly, Shveenkova, Yulia, Arbea, Javier I. (2025): Two new and two little-known species of the genus Axenyllodes Stach, 1949 from Russia and Kazakhstan. Zootaxa 5583 (1): 154-170, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5583.1.9, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5583.1.9
03FA87DFFFFBFF8AFF3B2AC8FEB0F933.taxon	description	Description. Length (without antennae) 0.69 – 0.83 mm. Habitus typical of the genus: body slim and oblong, appendices short (Fig. 24). Colour white with few granules of dark pigment under ocelli. Tegument granulation rather coarse, secondary granules usually spinous at tip. Head with fields of fine granulations in central and posterolateral areas, forming a characteristic pattern of longitudinal stripes; similar granulations present each side of thoracic segments. Abd. I – V with two oval fields of fine granulations located symmetrically with respect to medial line (Fig. 25). Antennae about as long as head. Ant. IV with a large simple vesicle apically, with 7 clearly differentiated sensilla with pointed apices (four dorso-internal [S 1 – S 4] and three dorso-external [S 7 – S 9]; S 9 often absent from immature specimens), ms large, clearly broadened at apex, only slightly shorter in length than sensilla, subapical organite present (Fig. 27), ventral side with few ordinary setae. Antennal organ of Ant. III typical, inner sensilla small, sgv & sgd only slightly larger, ms and about 16 – 18 ordinary setae present on Ant. III. Ant. I – II with 7 and 10 setae, respectively. Head with 2 + 2 subequal ocelli, their diameter equal to 0.24 – 0.36 of PAO length. PAO sunken in a deep cavity and hardly visible from above, broadly oval in shape, edges pointed (Fig. 26, 26 a). Buccal cone short, typical of the genus (Fig. 28). Maxillary palp simple. Labrum with 8 usual setae, medial pair of setae in anterior row much stronger, with tips curved laterally; four prelabral setae also present. Labium with five small apical spinules, two tiny organites and three common setae. Basomedial and basolateral fields of labium with 4 + 4 setae each. Maxilla typical of the family, with a strong and triangular head, mandibles invisible. Ventral side of head with 3 + 3 postlabial setae along ventral line. Ordinary setae on dorsal side of body short, smooth and acuminate, distinctly longer on last abdominal terga, sensilla undifferentiated (Fig. 25). Main characteristics of dorsal chaetotaxy: setae m 1 present on Th. II – III and absent from Abd. IV; Th. II – III with four setae present in a-row (a 1, a 3, a 4 and a 5), m-row with two ordinary setae (m 1 and m 4) and lateral sensillum in m 6 position, lateral microsensilla invisible; Abd. I – III with five setae in a-row (a 1, a 2, a 3, a 4 and a 5). Thoracic sterna without setae. Ventral tube with 3 + 3 distal setae, one seta also present each side of VT on sternum of Abd. I, Abd. II – III with 4 – 5 ventral setae each side (Fig. 29). Tenaculum with 2 + 2 teeth, as usual. Furca small (Fig. 31), manubrium with 4 + 4 setae on main part, 1 + 1 basal and 3 + 3 basolateral setae (8 + 8 in total); dorsal side of dens with two setae and rather fine granulations. Mucro about as long as dens, strongly hooked and with clear lateral lamella. Anal opening located terminally; anal spines completely absent. Legs I – III with a stable set of setae: 1, 2, 2 setae on upper subcoxae, 0, 3, 3 setae on lower subcoxae, 3 – 4, 3 – 4, 3 – 4 setae on coxae, 5, 5, 4 (5) on trochanters, 7, 7, 7 setae on femora, inner one thinner and longer. Seven setae also present on each tibiotarsi including two longer and clearly clavate at apex (Fig. 30). Unguis toothless, unguiculus rather long, needle-shaped (Fig. 30 a).	en	Babenko, Anatoly, Shveenkova, Yulia, Arbea, Javier I. (2025): Two new and two little-known species of the genus Axenyllodes Stach, 1949 from Russia and Kazakhstan. Zootaxa 5583 (1): 154-170, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5583.1.9, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5583.1.9
03FA87DFFFFBFF8AFF3B2AC8FEB0F933.taxon	etymology	Etymology. Named after “ chink ”, a regional term used, according to Wikipedia <https: // en. m. wikipedia. org / wiki / Chink _ (geology)>, “ in Central Asia for steep chalk and limestone escarpments and cliffs heights up to 350 m, often around flat-top elevation ” (Fig. 32). Affinities. Currently, there are only five known species in the genus characterized by such a small number of chaetae (7 or 6) on the tibiotarsi as in A. chinki sp. nov.: A. echinatus, A. nematodes Fjellberg, 1995, A. japonicus Tamura in Tamura & Yue, 1999, A. sinensis and A. comoriensis Thibaud, 2011. Most of them have a reduced number of ocelli (0 – 1). The only exception is A. sinensis, described from the mountainous regions of southwestern China, which, like A. chinki sp. nov. has 2 + 2 ocelli, almost identical dorsal and ventral chaetotaxies, as well as similar pattern of the integument granulation. These two species can easily be distinguished by the shape of the PAO (a single triangular lobe in A. sinensis, vs broadly oval PAO with pointed edges, sunken in a deep cavity and hardly visible from above in A. chinki sp. nov.), as well as the presence of anal spines and the absence of clavate tenent setae in A. sinensis. One more species, A. potapovi sp. nov., also characterized by a strong reduction of the tibiotarsal setae, is described below. It can easily be distinguished from A. chinki sp. nov. by the complete absence of eyes (for other differences, see Table 1). Unfortunately, the number of tibiotarsal setae was not specified in two known species of the genus, i. e. A. caecus and A. monoculatus (Jordana & Ardanaz, 1981), in the original descriptions or subsequently, although the Canarian specimen identified by A. Fjellberg as A. cf. monoculatus was noted to have 10 – 10 – 9 setae on the tibiotarsi and 7 femoral setae (Fjellberg, 1995, p. 156). Both of them have a reduced number of ocelli (less than 2 + 2): A. caecus is blind, whereas A. monoculatus has only 1 + 1 ocelli. Using the most recent key to species of the genus (Thibaud 2006), the new species can be identified as A. marci, described from a sandy beach in Albania, which, like A. chinki sp. nov., has 2 + 2 ocelli and lacks anal spines. These two species clearly differ in the chaetotaxy of the thoracic terga (A. marci is characterized by the absence of setae m 1 and the presence of lateral ms on Th. II – III) and the number of tibiotarsal setae (10 in A. marci, vs 7 in A. chinki sp. nov.).	en	Babenko, Anatoly, Shveenkova, Yulia, Arbea, Javier I. (2025): Two new and two little-known species of the genus Axenyllodes Stach, 1949 from Russia and Kazakhstan. Zootaxa 5583 (1): 154-170, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5583.1.9, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5583.1.9
03FA87DFFFF5FF89FF3B2CBFFBBFF874.taxon	description	Figs 33 – 39	en	Babenko, Anatoly, Shveenkova, Yulia, Arbea, Javier I. (2025): Two new and two little-known species of the genus Axenyllodes Stach, 1949 from Russia and Kazakhstan. Zootaxa 5583 (1): 154-170, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5583.1.9, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5583.1.9
03FA87DFFFF5FF89FF3B2CBFFBBFF874.taxon	materials_examined	Type material. Holotype, juvenile, Russia, Eastern Caucasus, Dagestan, north of Izberbash, 42.6090 o N 47.7898 o E, coast of Caspian Sea, ~ 30 m alt., sand, zone of weak vegetation (flotation), 23 April 2018. N. Kuznetsova, M. Potapov & A. Kremenitsa leg.	en	Babenko, Anatoly, Shveenkova, Yulia, Arbea, Javier I. (2025): Two new and two little-known species of the genus Axenyllodes Stach, 1949 from Russia and Kazakhstan. Zootaxa 5583 (1): 154-170, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5583.1.9, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5583.1.9
03FA87DFFFF5FF89FF3B2CBFFBBFF874.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. A blind species of the genus with the complete absence of dark pigment, characterized by: a more or less distinct pattern of cuticular granulation on thorax and in the anterior part of the abdomen; the presence of 7 clearly differentiated dorsal sensilla and a rather large microsensillum on Ant. IV; star-shaped PAO with three lobes, not sunken into the cuticle; 2 + 2 postlabial setae; Th. II – III with setae m 1 present and lateral microsensilla absent, lateral sensilla on the thorax slightly thickened; the basic type of VT, tenaculum and furca; manubrial field with 8 + 8 setae; the tibiotarsi with 7 – 7 – 7 subequal setae and 7 setae on each femur; and the absence of AS.	en	Babenko, Anatoly, Shveenkova, Yulia, Arbea, Javier I. (2025): Two new and two little-known species of the genus Axenyllodes Stach, 1949 from Russia and Kazakhstan. Zootaxa 5583 (1): 154-170, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5583.1.9, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5583.1.9
03FA87DFFFF5FF89FF3B2CBFFBBFF874.taxon	description	Description. Length (without antennae) of the only known specimen, 0.54 mm. Habitus typical of the genus: body oblong, appendices short. Colour white without any traces of dark pigment. Tegument granulation rather coarse, secondary granules usually spinous at tip. Th. II – Abd. II with rather long and narrow longitudinal fields of finer granulations located symmetrically with respect to medial line, only traces of such fields developed on Abd. III – IV (Fig. 36). Antennae about as long as head. Ant. IV with a large simple vesicle apically, with 7 clearly differentiated sensilla (four dorso-internal [S 1 – S 4] and three dorso-external [S 7 – S 9, S 8 longer and thinner, S 9 located higher than usual], ms about 0.4 times as long as nearest sensillum, subapical organite present, ventral side with few ordinary setae (Figs 33 – 34). Antennal organ of Ant. III typical, inner sensilla small, sgv & sgd larger and subequal to ms. Ant. I – III with 7, 10 and 17 ordinary setae, respectively. Ocelli absent. PAO star-shaped, with three lobes, located superficially in a small depression (Fig. 35). Buccal cone short, typical of the genus (Fig. 37). Labrum with 8 labral setae, medial pair of which in anterior row much stronger and with their tips curved laterally, as usual; prelabral setae invisible. Maxillary palp simple. Labium with several small apical spinules and three common setae; basomedial and basolateral fields of labium with 4 + 3 setae, respectively. Maxilla typical of the family with a strong and triangular head, mandibles invisible. Ventral side of head in holotype with 2 + 2 postlabial setae along ventral line (Fig. 37). Ordinary setae on dorsal side of body short, smooth and acuminate, those on last abdominal terga only slightly longer, dorsal sensilla undifferentiated, but lateral ones on Th. II – III clearly thickened (Fig. 36). Main characteristics of dorsal chaetotaxy: setae m 1 present on Th. II – III and absent from Abd. IV; Th. II – III with only three setae in a-row (a 1, a 3 and a 5), three m-setae (including S = m 6), and five setae in p-row as usual, lateral microsensilla absent; Abd. I – III with four setae in a-row (a 1, a 2, a 3 and a 5). Thoracic sterna without setae. Ventral tube with 3 + 3 distal setae, one seta also present each side of VT on sternum of Abd. I, Abd. II – III with 3 and 5 ventral setae each side, respectively (Fig. 38). Tenaculum with 2 + 2 teeth, as usual. Furca small (Fig 38), manubrial field with 4 + 4 setae on main part, 1 + 1 basal and 3 + 3 basolateral setae (8 + 8 setae totally); dorsal side of dens with two setae and rather fine granulation. Mucro about as long as or slightly longer than dens, strongly hooked, lateral lamella present. Anal opening located terminally; anal spines completely absent. Chaetotaxy of Legs I – III as following: 1, 2, 2 setae on upper subcoxae, 0, 2, 2 setae on lower subcoxae, 3, 4, 4 setae on coxae, 5, 5, 4 – 5 on trochanters, 7, 7, 7 setae on femora, and seven subequal setae also present on each tibiotarsi. Unguis toothless, unguiculus invisible (Fig. 39).	en	Babenko, Anatoly, Shveenkova, Yulia, Arbea, Javier I. (2025): Two new and two little-known species of the genus Axenyllodes Stach, 1949 from Russia and Kazakhstan. Zootaxa 5583 (1): 154-170, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5583.1.9, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5583.1.9
03FA87DFFFF5FF89FF3B2CBFFBBFF874.taxon	etymology	Etymology. The new species is to honour our friend and colleague, Mikhail B. Potapov, whose contribution to springtail taxonomy is outstanding. Affinities. Currently, only four completely blind species of the genus which lack anal spines are known: A. clevai Thibaud, 1995 (France), A. nematodes Fjellberg, 1995 (Canary Islands), A. japonicus (Japan) and A. comoriensis (Comoro Islands). In addition, A. americanus Vázquez & Palacios-Vargas, 1989, the only South American species of the genus, sometimes also has no anal spines, but it also lacks a mucro (a unique feature for the genus) and is hardly comparable to A. potapovi sp. nov. Three of the four species listed above are fairly easily distinguished from A. potapovi sp. nov. because all of them have lateral microsensilla on Th. II – III (for other differences, see Table 1). The only exception is A. nematodes, which, however, unlike A. potapovi sp. nov., is characterized by the presence 6 and 6 setae on each femur and tibiotarsus, respectively (vs 7 and 7 setae in A. potapovi sp. nov.) and 7 + 7 setae on the manubrial field, i. e. basal pair of setae absent (Fig. 14) (vs 8 + 8 setae including a basal pair in A. potapovi sp. nov., Fig. 38). In other words, the holotype of the new species is clearly characterized by a larger number of setae on the legs and in the manubrial region than A. nematodes, not fewer, as could be expected based on its juvenile state. In our opinion, this supports its status as a new species. There is one more character that could probably be used to distinguish the two species (3 + 3 postlabial setae ventrally on the head in A. nematodes, vs 2 + 2 such setae in A. potapovi sp. nov.), but unfortunately this may be related to the immature status of the only known specimen of the latter species.	en	Babenko, Anatoly, Shveenkova, Yulia, Arbea, Javier I. (2025): Two new and two little-known species of the genus Axenyllodes Stach, 1949 from Russia and Kazakhstan. Zootaxa 5583 (1): 154-170, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5583.1.9, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5583.1.9
03FA87DFFFF0FF8FFF3B2AC8FA3BFD64.taxon	description	Fig. 15	en	Babenko, Anatoly, Shveenkova, Yulia, Arbea, Javier I. (2025): Two new and two little-known species of the genus Axenyllodes Stach, 1949 from Russia and Kazakhstan. Zootaxa 5583 (1): 154-170, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5583.1.9, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5583.1.9
03FA87DFFFF0FF8FFF3B2AC8FA3BFD64.taxon	materials_examined	Studied material. 3 females, Russia (European part), Middle Volga River Basin, Penza Region, “ Privolzhskaya Lesostep ” State Nature Reserve, vicinity of Shatkino, 52.5560 o N 46.1812 o E, bank of Kadada river, floodplain xerophytic sagebrush meadow, sandy soil, 15 September 2017. Yu. Shveenkova leg.	en	Babenko, Anatoly, Shveenkova, Yulia, Arbea, Javier I. (2025): Two new and two little-known species of the genus Axenyllodes Stach, 1949 from Russia and Kazakhstan. Zootaxa 5583 (1): 154-170, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5583.1.9, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5583.1.9
03FA87DFFFF0FF8FFF3B2AC8FA3BFD64.taxon	discussion	Remarks. Probably not a very common European species, which was originally described from Norway (northern Finnmark), where it inhabits sandy coastal meadows and dunes. It was also recorded in southern Norway, where it occupies quite a different type of habitat: eroded fine-grained sediments of glacio-lacustrine origin with sparse vegetation (Fjellberg 1998, p. 96). In our materials, A. echinatus was found only in floodplain communities of one of the sites of the “ Privolzhskaya Lesostep ” Nature Reserve, this significantly increasing not only its distribution, but also its ecological preferences. As the species has been described in detail (Fjellberg 1988, 1998), only a few minor additions can be made. Thus, our specimens from the Volga region always have only two prelabral setae (medial pair absent), lacking the basal pair of setae on the manubrial field and having only 3 + 3 setae on its main part (Fig. 15). The latter character, i. e. the chaetotaxy of the manubrial field was confirmed by A. Fjellberg for Scandinavian populations (pers. comm.).	en	Babenko, Anatoly, Shveenkova, Yulia, Arbea, Javier I. (2025): Two new and two little-known species of the genus Axenyllodes Stach, 1949 from Russia and Kazakhstan. Zootaxa 5583 (1): 154-170, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5583.1.9, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5583.1.9
