Comparative zoogeographical analysis of Neuropterida of the Apennine and Balkan peninsulas

The Apennine Peninsula (AP) proper with Sicily and the Balkan Peninsula (BP) proper harbour 255 taxa of Neuropterida (155 taxa in AP and Sicily; 223 taxa in BP). The fauna of BP is richer than that of AP by one family, 6 genera and 68 species and subspecies. The Balkan taxa not occurring in AP are 3 times more in genera and 3.1 times more in species than the Apennine taxa not occurring in BP. The share of the southern species is higher in AP than in BP in all groups except Chrysopidae. The number of expansive northern species entered in BP is 1.5 times higher than their number in AP. The Holomediterranean species are better represented in AP (33 %) than in BP (23 %). Pontomediterranean taxa in BP are 3.5 times more than the Adriatomediterranean taxa in AP. The species of all secondary Mediterranean centres of dispersion are more in the Balkan fauna (38 %) than those in the Apennine fauna (30 %). Routes of dispersal (13 types) in main categories of origin are outlined. Areas of higher rate of endemism are listed. BP is characterized by richer fauna of Neuropterida than AP because of its larger territory, its long land border with Central Europe, the absence of high mountain transverse barriers on its border with Central Europe, its long-term history in Neogene as land, the presence of many centres of fourth and fifth level of speciation for Raphidioptera.