Bicoxidens Attems, 1928

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 : 3

Genus Bicoxidens Attems, 1928

Type Species: Bicoxidens nigerrimus Attems, 1928

Diagnosis: (after Attems, 1928, with modifications) Anal valves with two furrows on either side of opening, innermost pair deeper and flanking opening, outer pair shallow. Width and depth of furrows varies.

Apical part of the telocoxite enlarged with processes of various shapes and sizes. Apically (at point of telopodite exit from gonocoel) median leaf densely setose. Sternite conical; paracoxite basally rounded and tightly joined to lateral leaf ( Figs. 1 a, 2a, 3a, 4a, 5a, 6a, 7a, 8a). Telopodite slender and cylindrical without large lateral spines, apex with roundish lobe and an adjacent pointed side branch. Telopodite acutely bent at exit from gonocoel; post knee telopodite typically L-shaped with two distinct bends along its length ( Figs. 1 a, 2a, 3a, 4a, 5a, 6a, 7a, 8a). Telopodite abruptly narrowed at approximately mid-length and deflected medially at the level of paracoxites.

Femur without femoral process and torsion. Femur, just before the curve of the canal, with one or two lobes. Distal regions of opposite telopodites overlap medially.

Distribution: Africa south of the Zambezi River.

Remarks: Bicoxidens is characterised by the form of the telopodite. Unlike other spirostreptid genera the telopodite is L-shaped (post knee), lacks a femoral process and spines, and the distal regions of opposite telopodites overlap medially.

Figures

FIGURE 1. B. brincki (MZLU / L 951 / 3645). 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.