Metaphora spirobolina ( Karsch, 1881 ) Redman & Hamer & Barraclough, 2003

Redman, Guy T., Hamer, Michelle L. & Barraclough, David A., 2003, Revision of the Harpagophoridae (Diplopoda, Spirostreptida) of southern Africa, including descriptions of five new species, African Invertebrates 44 (2), pp. 203-277 : 228-230

publication ID	https://doi.org/ 10.5281/zenodo.7666308
persistent identifier	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/7E3D87A0-8807-8004-FE6E-BBD60038F484
treatment provided by	Felipe
scientific name	Metaphora spirobolina ( Karsch, 1881 )
status	comb. nov.

Treatment

Metaphora spirobolina ( Karsch, 1881) View in CoL , comb. n.

Figs 1 View Fig , 59–67 View Figures 59–67

Spirostreptus (Nodopyge) spirobolinus Karsch, 1881: 28 .

Harpagophora spirobolina View in CoL ; Attems 1909 1914 1928; Lawrence 1965; Schubart 1966.

Harpagophora (Harpagophorella) spirobolina View in CoL ; Demange 1983; Hamer 1998.

Type material (not examined): The whereabouts of the type material is not known. Type locality: Northern Cape, Hantam [3119BC] .

Material examined: SOUTH AFRICA: Northern Cape: 4ơ5^, Garies area, Studerspass (30.5691˚S:17.9933˚E), 17.ix.1994, M. Hamer ( NMSA 16156 About NMSA ); 1ơ, N7 40 km south of Garies , mixture of Montain Fynbos and Succulent Karoo (30.96779˚S:18.23127˚E), 10.ix.2001, M. Hamer & R. Slotow ( NMSA 19097 About NMSA ); 1ơ, Skilpad Nature Reserve , Swartjies River , Succulent Karoo (30.16596˚S:17.79866˚E), 10.ix.2001, M. Hamer & R. Slotow ( NMSA 19102 About NMSA ); 4ơ, Kamieskroon, Little Namaqualand (30.12˚S:17.56˚E), 30.xii.? (SAMC-ENW-B007674). Western Cape: 3ơ, Vanrhynsdorp (31.36˚S:18.44˚E), 31.vi.? (SAMC-ENW-X001650) .

Diagnosis: One femoral spine straight, distally directed, apically tapered, and partially concealed under posterior telocoxal fold, other femoral spine projecting outwards, laterally at an angle of approximately 45˚ from first spine and not concealed beneath posterior telocoxal fold ( Fig. 61 View Figures 59–67 ). Apical elements comprising elongate, ribbon-like pectinophore, concave spine branch with long spines on opposing ends, and a curved tapering branch with small spiniform processes on its surface ( Figs 64–66 View Figures 59–67 ). Lateral margin of telocoxite with prominent conical-shaped process ( Figs 61, 62 View Figures 59–67 ).

Description:

Dimensions: Males, n = 5. Body width 7.5–9.4 [8.3]; collum width 7.1–9.2 [8.1]; body length 80.0–97.0 [86.4]; leg length 4.2–5.0; antenna length 5.0–6.0 [4.0].

Number of segments: 49–51, 50.

Colour: Head dark reddish brown. Clypeus light brown to orange. Collum dark brown. Prozonites orange, mesozonites brown with greyish tinge, metazonites dark brown. Anal valve dark brown with orange margin. Caudal spine dark brown, orange towards tip, apex dark brown. Legs and antennae orange.

First ozopore: Segment 6.

Collum: Anterior corner rounded at an angle of about 90˚. One submarginal groove ( Fig. 59 View Figures 59–67 ).

Gonopods:Two femoral spines of subequal length,one straight, directed distally and partially concealed under posterior telocoxal fold, other femoral spine projecting outwards, laterally at an angle of approximately 45˚ from first spine ( Fig. 61 View Figures 59–67 ). Pectinophore an elongate ribbonlike plate, broadening apically with series of setiform processes along its margin and with several ridges on surface on basal part. An additional narrow, curved and pointed spine directed towards other apical elements present on telopodite ( Figs 65, 66 View Figures 59–67 ). Spine branch a concave, saucer-like laminate plate with dentate margin.Teeth along margin of spine branch black, and of subequal length, with a longer curved tooth at both ends ( Fig. 64 View Figures 59–67 ). Lateral margin of telocoxite with conical process directed laterally at right angles to telocoxite. Telocoxite comprising an anterior and posterior telocoxal fold, the fold being from distal end of telocoxite. Telocoxal spine absent ( Figs 61–63 View Figures 59–67 ).

Pre-anal ring: Caudal spine extending beyond margin of anal valve and upturned distally ( Fig. 67 View Figures 59–67 ).

Distribution: Northern and Western Cape Provinces ( Fig. 1 View Fig ) in the fynbos and succulent Karoo biomes. Schubart (1966) considered one record from the Eastern Cape, Kentani, as probably incorrect.

Remarks: There is some variation in the form and shape of the laterally directed conical structure of the lateral margin of the telocoxite ( Figs 61–63 View Figures 59–67 ). In addition, one of the specimens ( SAMC B7674) has telocoxal spines along the medial margin of the distal region of the telocoxite ( Fig. 63 View Figures 59–67 ).