Colossobolus semicyclus Wesener, 2009

Wesener, Thomas, Enghoff, Henrik & Sierwald, Petra, 2009, Review of the Spirobolida on Madagascar, with descriptions of twelve new genera, including three genera of ' fire millipedes' (Diplopoda), ZooKeys 19 (19), pp. 1-128 : 25-26

publication ID

https://doi.org/ 10.3897/zookeys.19.221

publication LSID

lsid:zoobank.org:pub:C473F9F6-1AE7-4B3F-B17F-CA1C2709010C

DOI

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.3791395

persistent identifier

https://treatment.plazi.org/id/8205B095-B802-46B7-8BA7-BEF078E551A8

taxon LSID

lsid:zoobank.org:act:8205B095-B802-46B7-8BA7-BEF078E551A8

treatment provided by

Plazi

scientific name

Colossobolus semicyclus Wesener
status

sp. nov.

Colossobolus semicyclus Wesener View in CoL , sp. n.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:8205B095-B802-46B7-8BA7-BEF078E551A8

Material examined: 2 ♂, 2 ♀, 1 imm. Holotype: 1 ♂ (120 mm long), CAS BLF 10114a. Madagascar, Province Antsiranana, Forêt d’Antsahabe , 11.4 km 275°W Daraina, tropical dry forest, 550 m, 13°12’42” S, 049°33’24” E, leg. B. L. Fisher et al., 12.XII.2003 GoogleMaps . Paratypes: 1 ♀, 1 imm., CAS BLF 10114a, same data as holotype GoogleMaps ; 1 ♂, 1 ♀, FMMC 5488 , Province Antsiranana, near Analamozava River , 7.5 km SW Daraina, undisturbed humid lowland forest, 325–600 m, 13°15.3’ S, 49°37.0’ E, leg. S. Goodman, 3–10.XI.2001, pitfall trap GoogleMaps .

Other material examined: 2 ♂, 1 ♀, CAS BLF 10877a, Forêt de Binara, 9.1 km SW Daraina, rainforest, 650–800 m, 13°15’48” S, 049°36’12” E, leg. B. L. Fisher, 19.XI.2004.

Differential diagnosis: Colossobolus semicyclus sp. n. cannot be separated from other sympatric Colossobolus species by external features alone ( Fig. 10 View Figure 10 ). Differs from all other species in the unique shape of the posterior gonopod telopodite ( Figs 9 View Figure 9 F–I) and in the presence of a well-rounded coxite process on the anterior gonopod. Shares with C. oblongopedus sp. n. and C. giganteus sp. n. a finger-shaped coxite process on the posterior gonopods.

Description. Measurements: males with 49–52 body rings, circa 120 mm long, 9.7–11.4 mm wide. Females with 49–52 body rings, 100–125 mm long, 10.5–11.0 mm wide.

Coloration affected by alcohol. Head, legs, antennae and telson red. Meso- and metazonites of body rings reddish-brown, posterior margin with a thin, dark brown line ( Figs 9 View Figure 9 A–C). Antennae protruding back to ring 3 ( Fig. 9A View Figure 9 ). Male coxal processes present on coxae 3 and 4, well-developed. Coxae 5–7 with visible, but short processes ( Fig. 9B View Figure 9 ).

Preanal process well-rounded, not projecting ( Fig. 9C View Figure 9 ).

Anterior gonopod sternite elongated into a wide, broadly rounded lobe ( Fig. 9D View Figure 9 ). Mesal process of coxite weakly developed, protruding into a short wide lobe which slightly extends beyond sternite ( Fig. 9D View Figure 9 ). Telopodite on posterior side basally with a circular groove ( Fig. 9E View Figure 9 ). Telopodite process long and relatively slender. Mesal margin laterally sharp-edged, but not projecting ( Fig. 9E View Figure 9 ).

Posterior gonopods unique ( Figs 9 View Figure 9 F–I). Telopodites positioned face-to face with one another. Coxite branch relatively short, wide and stout ( Figs 9 View Figure 9 F–I). Lateral branch of telopodite curved, forming a ‘C’ together with coxite branch. Central membranous area protruding ( Figs 9F, H View Figure 9 ). Mesal main branch well-developed, apical part overlapping lateral branch ( Figs 9G, I View Figure 9 ). Mesal margin of main branch with two overlapping membranous folds. Membranous folds large, well-rounded, forming a half-circle ( Figs 9G, I View Figure 9 ).

Intraspecific variation: animals from the type series (Forêt Antsahabe) differ greatly in size from those collected only some kilometers away in an area close to the Analamozava River. Specimens from the type series have 52 body rings while those from the Analamozava River have only 49. Specimens from Antsahabe are approximately 10 mm longer but 1 mm slimmer than those from the Analamozava River. Males from both localities show identical gonopods. Those differences can probably be accounted for by the fact that the habitat on the Antsahabe site is much drier than the Analamozava River site. However, more specimens from both sites are necessary to further refine this intraspecific variation.

Distribution and ecology: this species has hitherto been recorded only in dry and subhumid forests at mid-altitudes (325–800 m) around Daraina ( Fig. 10 View Figure 10 ). C. semicyclus sp. n. occurs at Antsahabe sympatrically with C. oblongopedus sp. n., at the Analamozava river site sympatrically with C. aculeatus sp. n.

Etymology: semicyclus , adjective, refers to the uniquely shaped posterior gonopod telopodite.

CAS

California Academy of Sciences

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