Hessebius multiforaminis, Pei, Sujian, Ma, Huiqin, Zapparoli, Marzio & Zhu, Mingsheng, 2010

Pei, Sujian, Ma, Huiqin, Zapparoli, Marzio & Zhu, Mingsheng, 2010, A review of the Chinese species of Hessebius Verhoeff, 1941 (Chilopoda: Lithobiomorpha: Lithobiidae), Zootaxa 2631, pp. 51-61 : 55-60

3. Hessebius multiforaminis sp. nov.

Material examined. Holotype: 3 ( Fig. 1 ), adult, 22.9 mm long, Pulan Town, Pulan County, Ali City, Tibet Autonomous Region, 30°18'N 80°48'E, altitude 4806 m, 17 August 2006, leg. Mingsheng Zhu, Long Liu, Xiaofeng Yang. Paratypes: 2 3, 2 ƤƤ, same date and locality as holotype.

Diagnosis. A Hessebius species with body length 18.9–22.9 mm, antennae composed of 20+20 articles; 13–15 ocelli on each side; Tömösváry’s organ small, rounded, smaller than the adjoining ocelli, posterosuperior ocellus and posterior ocellus comparatively larger than the others; 2+2 coxosternal teeth; porodont thickset, posterolateral to lateral tooth; all tergites without sharp posterior triangular projections; a row of comparatively thick setae on the ventral side of tibia of legs 1–11, glandular pores on the legs 9–15, S14 and S15 and genital section; coxal pores 4–7, ovate to round, arranged in one row; the first article of female gonopods with 2+2 moderately thick, bullet–shaped spurs; apical claw of the third article simple; male gonopods short and small, only a small hemispherical bulge, with 6–8 long setae on surface, tip slightly sclerotised. No accessory spurs on leg 15.

Description. Body 18.9–22.9 mm long, cephalic plate 1.93–2.69 mm long, 2.62–3.24 mm wide. Antennal articles pale yellow to brown, with gray hue; tergites pale yellow to brown; cephalic plate and T15 slightly darker; pleural region pale yellow to pale gray; sternites pale yellow–brown to yellow–brown; distal part of forcipules black red, forcipular coxosternite and S15 yellow–brown, with slightly darker hue; legs pale yellow to pale yellow–brown, tarsi yellow–brown.

Cephalic plate longer than wide, rough, convex, anterior part of the cephalic capsule with shallow median sulcus; a moderately large depression in front of the transverse suture, pigment concentrated as close netlike veins; tiny setae inserted in pores scattered very sparsely over the surface; moderately long setae scattered along the marginal ridge; lateral marginal ridge discontinuous, posterior margin straight ( Fig. 1 ).

Antennae of 20+20 articles ( Fig. 1 ); basal article moderately longer than wide, the second markedly longer than wide; succeeding articles gradually shorten, terminal article typically longer than wide, up to 2.3– 2.8 times as long as wide. Abundant setae on antennal surface, but fewer setae on outer side and ventral and dorsal side in basal articles, gradual increase in density of setae to about fourth article, then more or less constant.

Ocelli 13–15 on each side ( Fig. 2 ), oval to rounded, commonly rounded, gently bulging, moderately domed, translucent, usually darkly pigmented in eyeground, arranged in 3 horizontal irregular rows; posterosuperior ocellus and posterior ocellus comparatively bigger, the other ocelli moderately small, approximately equal in size, overhanging the lateral margin of the cephalic plate.

Tömösváry’s organ very small ( Fig. 2 ), rounded; close to the adjoining ocelli, placed ventrad of anterolateral margin of cephalic pleurite, moderately larger than the adjoining ocelli.

Forcipular coxosternite ( Fig. 3 ) approximately trapezoidal, anterior margin moderately broad with 2+2 comparatively sharp teeth, terminal part of each tooth approximately blunt, median diastema relatively deep, V–shaped ( Fig. 4 ); porodont moderately stout, just posterolateral and moderately far from the lateral tooth, without bulge near their base ( Fig. 4 ). Forcipular coxosternite also with moderately long setae sparsely scattered over the surface, comparatively long setae near the anterior margin; surface of forcipular coxosternite and forcipules of male rough as the cephalic plate, but quite smooth in female.

All tergites moderately rough, having some wrinkles, backside slightly hunched, tiny setae scattered very sparsely over the surface; T1 posterolaterally narrower than anterolaterally, generally trapeziform, distinctly broader than T3 and the cephalic plate, the latter slightly wider than T3; lateral marginations of all tergites continuous, posterior border of T1 and T3 slightly concave, margination continuous, posterior border of TT 5, 8, 10, 12 and 14 concave, margination discontinuous except for T5, posterior border of TT 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11 and 13 straight; all tergites without posterior triangular projections ( Fig. 1 ); setae scattered sparsely along the lateral borders, more numerous near the anterior angles of each tergite.

All sternites posterolaterally narrower than anterolaterally, generally trapeziform, moderately smooth, moderately setose on anterior part of each sternite, a pair of longer setae approximately symmetrical on the surface of the anterior and posterior part of each sternite; 2–4 longer setae on both anterior lateral borders, 1– 2 comparatively long setae scattered sparsely on posterior margin of sternites. Male with sparse glandular pores on the surface of S13, dense glandular pores and wrinkles on the surface of S14 and S15 and on genital section. Female S13–S15 moderately smooth than in male; S15 with a small rounded depression in male, the depressed area moderately larger in female.

Tarsus 1–tarsus 2 articulation not well–defined on legs 1–13, defined on legs 14 and 15; claw moderately long and curved ventrad in all legs; accessory spur on both anterior and posterior side of claw of legs 1–14, anterior accessory spur moderately long and slender, forming a moderate small angle with the claw; posterior accessory spur slightly strong, forming a comparatively large angle with the claw; no accessory spurs on leg 15; one row of thicker setae regularly arranged on the medial ventral side of tibiae of legs 1–10, up to 50%– 75% the length of the tibia; only 2–3 moderately thicker setae on the medial ventral side of the tibia of leg 11, short to moderately long setae scattered very sparsely over the surface of all articles of legs 1–13, thicker setae scattered on the surface of tarsi, almost evenly scattered on anterior, posterior and back sides, two rows of moderately thicker setae on medial ventral side of tibiae; glandular pores on the surface of prefemur, femur, tibia and tarsus of the leg 9, more numerous on the same articles of the leg 10, where glandular pores are also present on coxa and trochanter; highest number of glandular pores on legs 14 and 15; among them, more glandular pores on the anterior and posterior side than ventrad in male; glandular pores only on the surface of prefemur, femur, tibia and tarsus of legs 14 and 15 in the female, the legs more smooth than in the male; legs 14 and 15 slightly thicker and stronger than other legs in female; two comparatively obvious shallow dorsal furrow on the tibia of legs 14 and 15, the male more obvious than female; tarsus 1 5.1–5.5 times longer than wide, tarsus 2 60%–70% length of tarsus on legs 15 in female; legs 14 and 15 markedly thicker and stronger than the other legs in male, tarsus 1 4.2–5.4 times longer than wide, tarsus 2 50%–69% length of tarsus of male legs 15. Leg spinulation as in Tab. 3 .

legs ventral dorsal

pairs C t P F T C t P F T 1–2 – – mp amp am – – ap ap ap Coxal pores arranged in a row, round or slightly ovate, small to moderately large: 5676, 5564, 4554, 66(7)6(5) in the female; usually 6766, 7777, 5666, 5666 in the male; pore-field set in a moderately shallow groove, the fringe of coxal pore-field with eminence, short to moderately long setae scattered sparsely over the surface of the eminence.

Female S15 posterolaterally narrower than anterolaterally, generally trapeziform, straight posteromedially; short to long setae scattered very sparsely over its surface and lateral margins. The sternite of genital segment usually well sclerotised, longer than wide, posterior border moderately deeply concave between condyles of gonopods, except for a small, median approximately rhombic bulge, distally lightly sclerotised, moderately longer setae scattered over the surface, few setae near S15, regularly fringed with longer setae along the posterior margin. First article of the female gonopods moderately broad, bearing many moderately long setae, with 2+2 moderately long, bullet–shaped spurs, inner spur slightly smaller and more anterior than the outer ( Fig. 5 ); second article of the female gonopods with 13–15 moderately long setae, arranged in 3 irregular rows; 9 short to long setae along the dorsolateral ridge, the dorsal terminal part strongly extending backwards and forming a thick protuberance ( Fig. 6 ); third article of the female gonopods usually with 4 moderately long setae on the surface, three comparatively long setae along the dorsolateral ridge, apical claw simple and broad ( Figs 5, 7 ).

Male S15 posterolaterally narrower than anterolaterally, generally trapeziform, posteromedially straight, posterior angles rounded, moderately long setae sparsely scattered over its surface; tergite of genital segment wider than long, usually well sclerotised; comparatively long setae about evenly scattered on the ventral surface, slightly fewer near S15. Posterior margin of the sternite of the genital segment quite deeply concave between gonopods, no bulge medially; gonopods short and small, only a small hemispherical bulge, with 6–8 long setae on surface, terminal slightly sclerotised ( Fig. 8 ).

Etymology. The specific name refers to the large numbers of glandular pores on the legs 9–15, ventral of S14 and S15.

Distribution. The new species is to date known only from the type locality.

Ecological notes. The material examined has been collected from Subfrigid Zone and Arid Regions of Plateau; in moderately moist soil, under stones.

jangtseanus ( Verhoeff, 1942) , H. styliferus ( Loksa, 1978) , H. longispinipes Ma, Pei & Zhu, 2009 and H. multiforaminis

sp. nov.

jangtseanus styliferus longispinipes multiforaminis

continued next page

jangtseanus styliferus longispinipes multiforaminis Remarks. The new species resembles H. jangtseanus , from China, Sichuan Province, in the number of teeth (2+ 2 in either species) on the anterior margin of forcipular coxosternite, and the first article of the female gonopods bearing 2+2 spurs; but can be easily distinguished from the latter by having 13–15 ocelli on each side rather than 9–12; glandular pores on the legs 9–15, on the S14 and S15 and on the genital section, instead of being without glandular pores; legs spinulation also shows different patterns. The new species can be easily distinguished from H. longispinipes , from Barkor County, Hami City, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, by having 13–15 ocelli on each side rather than 6; antennae composed of 20+20 articles instead of 17+17– 19+19; the dorsal terminal part of the second article of the female gonopods strongly extending backwards and forming a thick terminal protuberance is shorter than that of the latter species and the apical claw of the female gonopods is simple and broad without any basal lateral denticle instead of having two basal lateral denticles as in the latter.

To assist in the identification of the Chinese and Mongolian species of Hessebius , the differential diagnostic features are offered in Tab. 4 .

Figures

FIGURES 1 – 8. Hessebius multiforaminis sp. nov. 1. Holotype, male, general habitus, dorsal view, scale 1 mm. 2. Holotype, male, ocelli and Tömösváry’s organ (circled), left lateral view, scale 250 µm. 3. Holotype, male, forcipular coxosternite, ventral view, scale 500 µm. 4, Holotype, male, anterior margin of the forcipular coxosternite and coxosternal teeth, ventral view, scale 500 µm. 5. Paratype, female, posterior segments and gonopods, ventral view, scale 500 µm. 6. Paratype, female, left gonopod, internal view, scale 250 µm. 7. Paratype, female, apical claw of right gonopod, scale 250 µm. 8. Holotype, male, posterior segments and gonopods, ventral view, scale 500 µm.

Tables

TABLE 3. Hessebius multiforaminis sp. nov.: leg spinulation; letters in brackets indicate variable spines.

3–6 –	–	mp	amp	am	–	–	a(m)p ap	ap
7–11 –	–	mp	amp	am	–	–	amp ap	ap
12–13 – 14 –	– m	mp amp	amp amp	am am	a a	– –	amp ap amp p	ap p
15 –	m	amp	am	am	a	–	amp p	–

TABLE 4. Range and main morphological characters of Sino – Mongolian species of Hessebius Verhoeff, 1941: H.

Sources	Verhoeff 1942; this paper	Loksa 1978	Ma, Pei & Zhu 2009	this paper
Distribution	China SE (Sichuan)	Mongolia SW	China NW (Xinjiang Uygur)	China SW (Tibet)
Body length (mm)	6.9 – 14.0	12.0 – 13.0	10.7 – 12.6	18.9 – 22.9
Number of antennal articles	19+19 – 22+22, commonly 20+20	20+20	17+17 – 19+19, commonly 18+18	20+20
Number, arrangement and shape of the ocelli	9–12, in 3 rows	1+2, 3, in 2 rows	1+3, 2, oval to rounded, commonly oval, in 2 irregular rows	13 (1+5,4,3)–15 oval to rounded, commonly rounded, in 3 irregular rows
Posterior ocellus	oval to round, comparatively large	round, of the same size of the seriate ocelli	oval, larger than the seriate ocelli	bigger than the seriate ocelli
Seriate ocelli	moderately small, approximately equal in size	moderately small, approximately equal in size; posterosuperior ocellus of the same size or slightly larger than other seriate ocelli	moderately small, approximately equal in size; posterosuperior ocellus of the same size or slightly larger than other seriate ocelli	moderately small, approximately equal in size except the posterosuperior ocellus comparatively larger than other seriate ocelli
Tömösváry's organ	moderately large, rounded, slightly bigger than the adjoining ocelli	round, of the same size of the adjoining ocelli	moderately small, nearly rounded, about same size as the adjoining ocelli	very small, rounded; comparatively close to the adjoining ocelli
Number and arrangement of coxosternal teeth	2+2, moderately sharp	2+2, sharp	2+2, comparatively triangular, terminal part of each tooth slightly blunt	2+2, comparatively sharp, terminal part of each tooth approximately blunt
Porodont	moderately thickset	long, strong, spiniform	moderately stout, just posterolateral to the lateral tooth, without bulge near the base	moderately stout, just posterolateral and moderately far from the lateral tooth, without bulge near their base
Tergites	smooth	smooth, slightly glossy	moderately smooth, without wrinkles	moderately rough, with some wrinkles
Number of coxal pores	4454 (Verhoeff, 1942); 4–6 (this paper)	not reported	2–5: usually 2343 (male); 3444, 2444 (female)	4–7: usually 6766, 7777, 5666, 5666 (male); 5676, 5564, 4554, 66(7)6(5) (female)
Shape of coxal pores	ovate to round	not reported	round or slightly ovate, small to moderately large	round or slightly ovate, small to moderately large