Zoosphaerium piligerum (de Saussure & Zehntner, 1897)

Wesener, Thomas, 2009, Unexplored richness: discovery of 31 new species of Giant Pill-Millipedes endemic to Madagascar, with a special emphasis on microendemism (Diplopoda, Sphaerotheriida), Zootaxa 2097 (1), pp. 1-134 : 115

Key to species of the Z. piligerum species-group

1. Antenna with four apical cones (Fig. 79A). Endotergum without cuticular impressions (Fig. 88A). Third podomere of anterior telopods lateral of cavity without sclerotized teeth (Fig. 78D). Body length <20 mm. Movable finger of posterior telopods>4.5 times longer than wide (Fig. 78E). .................................................. Z. micropiligerum , n. sp.

- Antenna with>10 apical cones (Fig. 81B). Endotergum with single row of circular cuticular impressions (Fig. 88B). Third podomere of anterior telopods with at least two large, sclerotized teeth (Fig. 80E). Body length of mature females> 50 mm. Tergites glossy, black. Movable finger of posterior telopods </= 3.5 times longer than wide (Fig. 80F) .............................................................................................................................................................................. 2

2. Anal shield bell-shaped. Posterior telopod fixed finger strongly curved, circa 25% shorter than movable finger. Operculum of vulva protruding above coxal margin. Endotergum with two rows of marginal bristles, slightly extending beyond tergite margin. ............................................................ Z. piligerum ( de Saussure & Zehntner, 1897)

- Anal shield well-rounded. Posterior telopod fixed finger slightly curved, only slightly shorter than movable finger (Fig. 80G). Operculum of vulva not reaching coxal margin (Fig. 80A). Endotergum with single row of marginal bristles, not reaching tergite margin (Fig. 88B). ................................................................... Z. pseudopiligerum , n. sp.