Brevitibius matopoensis, Mwabvu, Tarombera, Hamer, Michelle L. & Slotow, Robert H., 2007

Mwabvu, Tarombera, Hamer, Michelle L. & Slotow, Robert H., 2007, A taxonomic review of the southern African millipede genus, Bicoxidens Attems, 1928 (Diplopoda: Spirostreptida: Spirostreptidae), with the description of three new species and a tentative phylogeny, Zootaxa 1452, pp. 1-23 : 11-13

B. matopoensis sp. n. Mwabvu

Fig. 6

Type material (examined): Holotype: ZIMBABWE: 1 ɗ, Matopo National Park, Maleme Rest Camp [2028D1], 6.iii.1989, J. Minshull (NMZ/D562)

Additional material examined: ZIMBABWE: 1 ɗ, Doddieburn Ranch [2129A4], 10.xii.1985, J. Minshull (NMZ/D356).

Etymology: So named to highlight the type locality in Zimbabwe.

Diagnosis: Apical telocoxite with broadly rounded lateral process and two median processes that form a V-shape; the rounded lateral process folded downwards with the rim or edge just above the telopodite knee and extending into a distal median process ( Fig. 6 a). Proximal median process tilted away from the distal median process; the opposite median processes are in touch, leaving a median window between the opposite telocoxites ( Figs. 6 a, 6b).

A sub-apical constriction of median leaf produces a lateral lobe below the setose region ( Fig. 6 a).

Abbreviations: cf, collum fold; llb, lateral leaf lobe; ll, lateral leaf; lp, lateral process; ml, median leaf; mlb, median leaf lobe; mlc, median leaf constriction; mp, median process; pfl, prefemoral lobe; tp, telopodite; w, window.

Description:

Size: Body length 110– 104 mm; minimum and maximum body width 3–5 mm and 6–8 mm; antenna length 5–6 mm.

Number of body rings: 56–61.

Colour: Body black; head brown; leg and antennae brown to dark brown.

Collum: With three complete folds ( Fig. 6 d) and one to three incomplete folds.

Pre-femoral process of 1st pair of male legs: Trowel-shaped ( Fig. 6 c).

Sigilla on body ring: Three rows present, becoming one ventrally.

Gonopod: 4–5 mm long. Orally, apical telocoxite with a median process gently tilted away from main apical process, thus forming a V-shaped incision, and touching the opposite one as does the distal median process ( Figs. 6 a, 6b). Lateral process of distal telocoxite broadly rounded and folded over itself, ending in a thick rim just above the telopodite knee. Rim extending to the midpoint of distal telocoxite. Below the setose apex of median leaf a deep constriction forms a neck and a lateral lobe.

Aborally, apical telocoxite raised with a short median process and a wider proximal rounded median process. A broadly rounded lateral process overhangs the telopodite knee ( Fig. 6 a, 6b). Lateral leaf with a bulb-shaped, basally rounded lobe ( Fig. 6b ). Apical telopodite with incomplete looping.

Distribution: South west of Bulawayo, Zimbabwe ( Fig. 10).

Remarks: The folding of the apical telocoxite in matopoensis is similar to that in brincki and, to a lesser extent, gokwensis . However, the extent and relative position of folding differs. Unlike brincki , it has two median processes. Like friendi , nigerrimus , flavicollis , brincki and gokwensis , it also has a large bulb- or flask-shaped lobe on the lateral leaf. Both matopoensis and gokwensis have a constricted median leaf sub-apically, just below the setose area, but gokwensis lacks an obvious proximal lateral lobe.

Figures

FIGURE 6. B. matopoensis sp. nov. (NMZ / D 562). a, oral view of gonopods; b, aboral view of gonopods; c, oral view of prefemoral lobe of first pair of male legs; d, lateral view of collum.