Ommatoiulus moreleti (Lucas, 1860)

Nesrine Akkari & Henrik Enghoff, 2017, Revision of the genus Ommatoiulus Latzel, 1884 (Julida, Diplopoda) in Portugal, with description of six new species, European Journal of Taxonomy 295, pp. 1-42 : 22-24

Ommatoiulus moreleti (Lucas, 1860)

Fig. 16

Schizophyllum cervinum Verhoeff, 1910: 200 –202, figs XI, XII, XXIV new. syn.

For a complete list of synonyms see Akkari & Enghoff 2012: 31.

Material examined

PORTUGAL: Schizophyllum (Hemipodoiulus) cervinum , syntypes (ZMB4837, ZMB13652), Verhoeff’s micro-preparation (ZMB3896), Serra da Estrela, Bolivar leg.; 1 ♀ Schizophyllum (Hemipodoiulus) cervinum , syntype, Serra da Estrela, don. Verhoeff 1908 (NHMW3155); Julus karschi Verhoeff, 1892 syntypes, 1 ♂, 3 ♀♀, Portugal, Coimbra environs, A.F. Moller leg. (NHMW 8050); Julus karschi Verhoeff, 1892 syntypes; 1 ♂, 4 ♀♀, 1 juvenile, 1 intercalary male, Portugal, Coimbra, Moller leg. (NHMW 8051); 1 ♂, Leiria, Gruta de Santo António de Alvados, 39.532131 N, 8.7334558 W, 9 Mar. 2012, M.G. París leg. (E. Recuero Coll. 1730); 2 ♂♂, Faro District, Algarve, Albufeira, 23 Sep. 1996, O. Martin leg. (ZMUC); 1 ♂, 1 ♀, 1 juvenile, Faro District, Algarve, Monchique, 23 Sep. 1996, O.

Martin leg. (ZMUC); 1 ♂, Faro District, Algarve, Alferce, 37.342833 N, 8.483972 W, 3 Jan. 2013, M.G. París and E. Recuero leg. (NHMW8730); 2 ♂♂, Alentejo, Nave Redonda, 37.392917 N, 8.48544 W, 4 Jan. 2013, M.G. París and E. Recuero leg. (NHMW 8731; NHWM 8732); 1 ♂, Alentejo, Luzianes, 37.616639 N, 8.4655 W, 4 Jan. 2013, M.G. París and E. Recuero leg. (NHMW 8733); 1 ♂, Algarve, Monchique, Alcaria do Peso, 37.3393306 N, 8.559222 W, 4 Jan. 2013, M.G. París and E. Recuero leg. (NHMW 8734); 1 ♂, Pataias, 39.679167 N, 9.002222 W, 2 Jan. 2012, I. Martinez-Solao and P. Pavón leg. (NHMW 8735).

Distribution

O. moreleti is widespread in Portugal and western Spain (see maps in Baker 1984). It has been introduced to the Macaronesian Islands, Bermuda, South Africa and notably Australia, where it is known as a pest under the name of the “Portuguese millipede”.

Comments

This species, which has become widespread through commerce, and which exhibits considerable gonopodal variation (e.g., Baker 1984), has been the source of much taxonomic confusion. Verhoeff (1910) described Schizophyllum cervinum from Serra da Estrela in Portugal and provided illustrations of isolated gonopod processes: promerite, paracoxite and mesomerite (see Abb. XI, XII, XXIV). In his description for the species, Verhoeff (1910) underlined the important similarities between this species and Ommatoiulus moreleti . The examination of Verhoeff’s slide preparations of a cervinum ZMB3692, which we herewith designate as a lectotype for Schizophyllum cervinum (see Fig. 16 ) leaves no doubt that Schizophyllum cervinum is actually a junior synonym of Ommatoiulus moreleti (Lucas, 1860) with which it agrees in the shape of all gonopod processes.

Figures

Fig. 16. ‘ Schizophyllum cervinum ’ Verhoeff, 1910, syntype, gonopod, slide preparation (ZMB 3896). A. Promerite, posterior view. B. Mesomerite, posterior view. C. Solenomerite, anterior view. D. Paracoxite, anterior view.