Otostigmus noduliger Verhoeff, 1937

Lewis, John G. E., 2010, A revision of the rugulosus group of Otostigmus subgenus Otostigmus Porat, 1876 (Chilopoda: Scolopendromorpha: Scolopendridae), Zootaxa 2579, pp. 1-29 : 18-20

Otostigmus noduliger Verhoeff, 1937

Figs 40–49

Otostigmus (Otostigmus) noduliger Verhoeff, 1937: 214 , Plate 13, fig. 13.

Diagnosis. (Based on BMNH specimen and Verhoeff’s description). Antennomeres 18–20, the basal 2.2–2.33 glabrous dorsally. Coxosternal toothplates with three main teeth. Tergites with scattered tubercles at least on posterior tergites. Sternites without paramedian sutures. Coxopleuron with two apical spines, dorsal and lateral spine variable. Ultimate leg prefemora with 4 rows of spines. Leg 1 with two, legs 2–19 with a single tarsal spur, 20 and 21 with or without.

Preliminary remarks. Three syntypes, one each from, London, Munich and Berlin have been examined. They are here dealt with separately. The London specimen, although small, is the only one to show the tergite tubercles which characterise O. noduliger . The disarticulated and macerated Munich specimen contributed to Verhoeff’s description and his Fig. 13 . The identity of the Berlin specimen is uncertain. In order to avoid possible confusion, the London specimen is here designated the lectotype. Precise localities are not given on the museum labels of the specimens but Verhoeff gave Gunong Brinchang, Pahang, 1500–1800 m and Gunung Pulai, Johore.

Type material examined. BMNH. Labelled Otostigmus noduliger Malacca Verhoeff co-type purch d. K W Verhoeff and Otostigmus noduliger syntypes Malaysia: Malacca BMNH (E) #200071 Chilo 1937.9.9.63. Here designated as the lectotype.

Description of lectotype. (Verhoeff’s description in parentheses for comparison). Length estimated at 28 mm (37–70 mm). The specimen is curved ventrally. Antennomeres 19 [r] –18 (18–20), the basal 2.2 glabrous dorsally (2½). Forcipular coxosternal teeth 3+3 the outer on each side separated from the inner two, possibly somewhat worn.

Tergite paramedian sutures complete 6, marginate from 10 (9 (8)) without lateral corrugations but with small scattered pimple-like tubercles (fig. 40) from 14 (14–20 in specimens of 37–38 mm, from 8 in the specimens of 70 mm). Tergite 21 with posterior median depression.

Sternites without paramedian sutures but four very shallow depressions (fig. 41) (sternites as fossuliger i.e. deep middle groove on 6–19 and round middle end groove from 7 (6)). Sternite 21 with sides converging slightly, hind border slightly embayed (fig. 42).

Coxopleural process moderately long with two apical spines, one lateral spine on right none on left, one dorsal spine on left, none on right (Verhoeff’s description as two spines at end, 1–3 dorsal and one ventral is confusing). Ultimate leg prefemur with medium to large spines VL 4, VM 2, M 3, DM 1 or 2, CS1.

Leg 1 with two tarsal spurs, 2–20 with one, 21 without (1 or 1 and 2 with two, 3–21 with one).

ZSM. Two slides A20030591 and A20030592. The first with head, first four trunk segments, maxillae, mandibles and labrum, the second with segments 18–21, one detached leg 20 and two detached ultimate legs. Trunk segments 5–17 missing.

Description. Antennomeres 18–19, the basal 2.25 glabrous. Terminal claw of maxilla 2 with two accessory spurs (fig. 43) but no spine on telomere 2. Forcipular coxosternal with 3+3 main teeth (fig. 44).

Characters of tergites and sternites not observable.

Coxopleural process short with 2 terminal, two lateral and one dorsal spine. Ultimate leg prefemoral spines: VL 5 or 4, VM 2, M 3. DM 2, CS 1 (fig. 45). Leg 1 with one femoral and one tibial spur, legs 1 and 2 with two tarsal spurs, 3, 4, 18 and 19 with one, 20 and 21 without.

ZMHB. Labelled Otostigmus noduliger Malacca Verh. 2705. Syntypus. ZMB 13359.

Description. Length 66 mm. Antennomeres 20–21, the basal 2.25 glabrous dorsally, 2.2 ventrally. Each forcipular coxosternum tooth plate with three main teeth (fig. 46).

Tergites marginate from 8 with very fine paramedian sutures complete 9, only seen when specimen dry. With very weak median keel and very weak lateral corrugations. Tergites 8 to 20 with dense fine spinules.

Mid trunk sternites with median longitudinal depression followed by a posterior median depression but by altering the angle of illumination two small lateral depressions in mid sternite and two further lateral ones posteriorly may be seen on some (fig. 47). Sternite 21 with sides converging posteriorly and hind posterior border with angular embayment. Coxopleural process (fig. 48) with two apical spines two or three lateral spines and one dorsal spine. Ultimate pair of legs wanting.

The first pair of legs with a tibial spur and two tarsal spurs, legs 2 to 20 with one. Prefemur of right leg 20 with small dorsodistal spine overlooked by Verhoeff (fig. 49), left leg 20 missing.

Remarks. Otostigmus noduliger is here regarded as a valid species. However, the Berlin specimen is of uncertain status and further material is required. It resembles O. punctiventer differing from it in the fact that the sternite paramedian sutures are absent rather than very short and that legs 2–20 have a single tarsal spur. In O. punctiventer the first four to first 12 (rarely 17) pairs of legs have two. All other specimens here regarded as O. punctiventer are from Borneo.

Distribution. Peninsular Malaysia.

Figures

FIGURES 40 – 49. Otostigmus noduliger. Fig. 40. Tergite 16. Lectotype. Fig. 41. Sternite 11. Lectotype (foreshortened as specimen curved ventrally). Fig. 42. Sternite 21. Lectotype. Fig. 43. Tarsal claw of second maxillary telopodite. Paralectotype. Fig. 44. Forcipular coxosternal toothplates. Paralectotype. Fig. 45. Prefemur of ultimate leg. Paralectotype. Fig. 46. Forcipular coxosternal toothplates and left trochanteroprefemoral process. ZMHB specimen (status uncertain). Fig. 47. Sternite 15. ZMHB specimen (status uncertain). Fig. 48. Sternite 21 and right coxopleuron. ZMHB specimen (status uncertain). Fig. 49. Distal part of leg 20 to show dorsodistal spine on prefemur. ZMHB specimen (status uncertain). Scale line = 1 mm except fig. 43 (= 0.1 mm) and fig. 44 (= 0.5 mm).

FIGURES 8 – 13. Otostigmus spinosus. Fig. 8. Forcipular coxosternal toothplates. Holotype. Fig. 9. Sternite 21 and right coxopleuron. Holotype (coxopleural pores only depicted distally). Fig. 10. Atypical forcipular coxosternal toothplates and right trochanteroprefemoral process. 31 mm specimen Ambarava, Java. Fig. 11. Sternite 21 and right coxopleuron. Specimen 1 Tenasserim, Burma. Fig. 12. Sternite 21 and right coxopleuron. Specimen 2 Tenasserim, Burma. Fig. 13. Ultimate leg prefemur dorsal. “ O. hirtipes ” Lampong Sumatra. Scale line = 1 mm, except figs. 7 and 9 = 0.5 mm.