Sphaeropauropus rotatilis, Scheller, Ulf, 2014

Scheller, Ulf, 2014, New records of Pauropoda (Myriapoda) with descriptions of new taxa, Zootaxa 3866 (3), pp. 301-332 : 329-331

Sphaeropauropus rotatilis n. sp.

Figs 80 –93

Type specimen. Holotype ad. 9(♀), China, Hupeh Prov., Shennongjia Reserve, 2000–2200 m a.s.l., ≈110ºE, 22ºN.in litter, June 4, 1995, S. Kurbatov leg. Type specimen deposited in the Zoological Museum, University of Lund, Sweden.

Diagnosis. The new species might be close to S. curvus Scheller, 2009 from Indonesia because of similarities in characters of the antennae (globulus g), tarsi, tergites (pubescence, setae), pygidial setae (a 1- a 3) and anal plate (distal appendages). It is easily distinguished from S. curvus by the shape of the bothriotricha T 3 (distinctly clavate in S. curvus, indistinctly in S. rotatilis ), the shape of the insertion areas of the setae b 1 of the pygidial sternum (distinct semi-circular lobe, no distinct lobe) and the shape of the anal plate (longish, not almost circular).

Derivation of name. From the Latin rotatilis = curved, referring to the rounded shape of the posterior plate of the median part of the pygidial tergum.

Description. Length. 0.94 mm

Antennae ( Fig. 80 ). Chaetotaxy of segments 1–4: 2/2/2+ g ´/3. Setae cylindrical, tapering, pointed, densely striate-annulated, their relative lengths on segment 4; p=100, p ´=51, p ´´=?30. Tergal branch t somewhat fusiform, 3.5 times as long as the greatest diameter, 1.3 times as long as sternal branch s. That branch 2.1 times as long as its greatest diameter, anterodistal corner distinctly truncated, Seta q and relative lengths of flagella not studied. Calyces small, helmet-shaped. Globulus g with thick subcylindrical stalk, length of g 2.4 times as long as its greatest diameter, width 0.8 of greatest diameter of t. Bracts thin, numerous, capsule with somewhat flattened bottom.

Trunk ( Fig. 81, 85 ). Collum segment hidden. Tergites brown. Tergite II broadest ( Fig. 81 ). Setae tuft-like with inner part clavate to subsphaerical ( Figs 83–85 ). Cuticle between setae with very small sessile candelaber-like organs surrounded by a clear area ( Figs 81, 85 ). The laterosternal furrows of the anterior tergites ( Fig. 85 ) with tuftlike setae on outer margin; inner margin with thin, tapering, pointed setae with oblique pubescence.

Bothriotricha (Fig. 86, 87). Relative lengths: T1 =100 (Fig. 86), T 2=111, T 3=51, T 4=78, T 5=68. T 1- T 4 very thin, T 3 (Fig. 87) thickens gradually from base and outwards, pubescence oblique, very short.

Legs (Figs 88–92). All legs 5-segmented. Seta on coxa (Fig. 88) and trochanter (Fig. 89) of leg 9 furcate with thin annulated branches, these branches of the same length on coxal seta, of different lengths on seta of trochanter; more anteriorly these setae with rudimentary secondary branches, primary branch longest in setae of 3rd and 4th pair of legs. Tarsi slender, tapering, those of leg 1 (Fig. 90) almost, shortly pubescent, 5.0 times longer than the greatest diameter, no proximal seta, distal seta straight, pointed, glabrous, length 0.2 of the length of tarsus, blunt, distinctly pubescent appendage on anterior side of femur (Fig. 91). Tarsi of leg 9 (Fig. 92) distinctly curved, 4.3 times as long as greatest diameter, setae thin, pointed, almost glabrous, proximal seta 0. 5 of the length of tarsus and 3.3 times as long as distal seta. All legs with large main claw, those of leg 9 reaching 0.2 of the length of tarsus.

FIGURES 86–93. Sphaeropauropus rotatilis n. sp., holotype, ad. 9 (♀). 86. T 1. 87. T 3. 88. Seta on coxa of leg 9. 89. Seta on trochanter of leg 9. 90. Tarsus of leg 1. 91. Appendage of femur of leg 1. 92. Tarsus of leg 9. 93. Pygidium, sternal view. Scale a: 86–92; b: 93.

Pygidium (Fig. 93). Tergum: Posterior margin with semicircular lobe between st covering basal part of anal plate. Setae almost straight, shortly pubescent, a 1 -a3 tapering, st thicker than a- setae, cylindrical, blunt. Relative lengths of setae: a 1=10, a 2=9, a 3=8, st =12. Tergum with very faint pubescence, most distinct on mediotergal plate.

Sternum: Setae proportionately thin, their relative lengths (pygidial a 1 = 10): b 1 = 46, b 2 = 14, b 3 = 23; b 1 tapering, distal half striate, b 2 similar but pointed, b 3 very thin, b 1 2.4 times as long as interdistance, b 2 1.4 times as long as of interdistance.

Anal plate discoid with two posteriorly directed appendages, the latter cylindrical but widening outwards, each with a distinct inner tooth and a stalked bladder-shaped and pubescent appendage, the latter as long as the basal circular part of the plate, posterior branches separated by deep narrow incision as long as circular part of plate.

Figures

FIGURES 80 – 85. Sphaeropauropus rotatilis n. sp., holotype, ad. 9 (♀). 80. Right antenna, tergal view. 81. Body, sternal view. 82. Tergite I, central part. 83. Tergite I, posteromedian part. 84. Tergite VI, posteromedian margin. 85. Tergite II, laterosternal furrow, sternal view. Scale a: 81; b: 80, 82, 84, 85; c: 83.