Hylekobolus andasibensis 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 : 116-117

Hylekobolus andasibensis Wesener , sp. n.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:F84CC1D3-0775-441A-94FC-959E3799881F

Material examined: 2 ♂, 1 ♀, 2 imm. Holotype: 1 ♂ (42 mm long), MNHN, Madagascar, Périnet (Andasibe), rainforest, 18°55’ S, 48°25’ E, leg. Brygoo, III.1967, BY628 . Paratypes: 1 ♂, 1 ♀, 2 imm., MNHN, same data as holotype .

Differential diagnosis: the posterior gonopods of H. andasibensis sp. n. are only curved 60°, which is unique within the genus Hylekobolus . The projection of the sperm canal is basally wide, apically tapering ( Fig. 64D )

Description. Measurements: males with 47 rings, circa 42 mm long, 3.7 mm wide. Female with 47 rings, circa 63 mm long, 4.9 mm wide.

Coloration: faded to grey in alcohol. Eyes with circa 34 ocelli.

Anterior gonopod sternite basally wide, apically elevated into a well-rounded tip ( Fig. 64A ). Mesal process of coxite wide and only slightly protruding ( Fig. 64A ). Apical process of telopodite slender and well-rounded. Retrorse margin wide, not projecting ( Fig. 64C ).

Posterior gonopods telopodite bent 60° ( Fig. 64D ). Projection absent from lateral margin (w, Fig. 64B ). Apical process (x) wide, tapering ( Fig. 64B ). Membranous lobe (y) small ( Fig. 64B ). Projection of sperm canal (z) basally wide, apically tapering, curved towards coxite ( Fig. 64D ).

Distribution and ecology: this species is only known from old collections undertaken in Andasibe, located in the central eastern half of Madagascar. H. andasibensis is the only known Hylekobolus species recorded from central Madagascar ( Fig. 54 ).

Etymology: andasibensis , adjective, refers to the type locality, Andasibe.

Figures

Figure 54. Distribution map of the genus Hylekobolus gen. n.

Figure 64. Hylekobolus andasibensis sp. n., male holotype. A anterior gonopod, anterior view B right posterior gonopod, anterior view C anterior gonopod, posterior view D right posterior gonopod, posterior view. Apo = apodeme; Cx = coxite; St = sternite; T = telopodite. Not to same scale.