Caprobolus 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 : 72-73

Caprobolus Wesener , gen. n.

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Type species: Caprobolus andringitra sp. n., monotypic

Diagnosis: mandible with a very short molar plate ( Fig. 40F ), so far a unique character (but the shape of the mandible is only known for a few genera of Spirobolida ). Anterior and posterior gonopods of Caprobolus are unique for Spirobolida . Anterior gonopods with a conspicuously enlarged, slender sternite ( Fig. 41A ), but sternite still much wider than in Spiromimus (Wesener and Enghof, 2009) . Telopodite of anterior gonopods prominently enlarged into unique, long, slender, sabre-like processes ( Fig. 41B ). Basis of telopodite process projecting into a slender, well-rounded retrorse process ( Fig. 41B ), which is present in numerous genera of Spirobolida . Telopodite of posterior gonopod longer than, but as wide as, coxite ( Fig. 41C ). Telopodite basally deeply divided into two branches of almost similar width and length ( Figs 41 C–E). Sperm canal is free, starting at basis of telopodite, only slightly attached to shorter, lateral main branch ( Fig. 41E ). Sperm canal projecting as a flagellum above telopodite branches ( Fig. 41D ). Shares a reddish colour pattern and a yellowish dorsal stripe with Spiromimus de Saussure & Zehntner, 1901 , Alluviobolus gen. n. and Ostinobolus gen. n. Gnathochilarium with a subdivided mentum and a single sclerotized ledge on each stipites ( Fig. 39E ), like in Flagellobolus , Riotintobolus , Pseudocentrobolus , Granitobolus , Alluviobolus gen. n., Ostinobolus gen. n.

Distribution and ecology: only known from the rainforests of Andringitra, close by Ivohibe and Vevembe, located at the edge of the high plateau towards the east coast in the southern half of Madagascar ( Fig. 30 ). The only known species of Caprobolus was collected in Andringitra together with a Spiromimus species.

Etymology: Caprobolus , masculine, composed of Capro -, formed after capricornus, which refers to the tropic of Capricorn where this genus was first collected, and -bolus.

Figures

Figure 30. Distribution of the genera Pseudocentrobolus gen. n., Granitobolus gen. n. and Caprobolus gen.n.

Figure 39. Caprobolus andringitra sp. n., A–C male holotype, D–G male paratype A head, lateral view B legs 1–7, ventral view C telson D head, detail of eye and mandible E gnathochilarium, ventral view F right midbody leg, overview G tarsus of midbody leg, SEM. av = anal valves; Co = collum; Gn = gnathochilarium; L = ledge; LL = lamella lingualis; Md = mandible; Me = mentum; Pre = preanal ring; re = rectangular extension; ST = stipites. Scale bars = 1 mm.

Figure 40. Caprobolus andringitra sp. n. male paratype, SEM. A antenna, overview B antenna, apical view on disc C antennomere 5 with sensilla basiconica D gnathochilarium, ventral view E endochilarium detail F left mandible, mesal view G mandible, detail of pectinate lamella. 3iT = 3-combed internal tooth; cp = central pads of endochilarium; Endo = endochilarium; eT = external tooth; L = ledge; LT = lateral tooth; Me = mentum; mp = molar plate; pL = pectinate lamella; sb = sensilla basiconica; ST = stipites.

Figure 41. Caprobolus andringitra sp. n., male holotype. A anterior gonopod, anterior view B anterior gonopod, posterior view C right posterior gonopod, posterior view D right posterior gonopod, telopodite, posterior view E right posterior gonopod, telopodite, anterior view. cp = internal coxite process; Cx = coxite; rp = retrorse process; SC = free sperm canal; St = sternite; T = telopodite; T-ibr = inner branch of telopodite; T-mbr =main branch of telopodite; Tp = telopodite process. Scale bars = 1 mm.