Poratophilus gorteri Hoffman, 1994

Redman, Guy T., Hamer, Michelle L. & Barraclough, David A., 2003, Revision of the Harpagophoridae (Diplopoda, Spirostreptida) of southern Africa, including descriptions of five new species, African Invertebrates 44 (2), pp. 203-277 : 271-272

publication ID	https://doi.org/ 10.5281/zenodo.7666308
persistent identifier	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/7E3D87A0-885A-805A-FE4F-BE5B037BF4B6
treatment provided by	Felipe
scientific name	Poratophilus gorteri Hoffman, 1994
status

Treatment

Poratophilus gorteri Hoffman, 1994 View in CoL

Figs 1 View Fig , 193–200 View Figs 193–200

Poratophilus gorteri Hoffman, 1994: 7 View in CoL ; Hamer 1998. 194 af c

Type material (examined): Holotype: SOUTH AFRICA: Limpopo: 1ơ, Mabalingwe, Waterberg [2427BC] district, 25.xi.1990, J. G. M. A. Gorter ( VMNH).

Diagnosis (modified from Hoffman 1994): Thumb branching off pectinophore, wide and concave with dentate margin ( Fig. 197 View Figs 193–200 ). Second lamella basally slender, apically expanded, and somewhat distant from primary branch ( Figs 193, 195, 197 View Figs 193–200 ). Paracoxites extending laterally well beyond lateral edge of anterior telocoxal fold ( Fig. 194 View Figs 193–200 ).Anterior telocoxal fold attenuated apically and terminating in acute point, the telocoxal spine ( Fig. 194 View Figs 193–200 ).

Description (modified from Hoffman 1994):

Dimensions: Male, n = 1. Body width 9.1; collum width 9.0; body length estimated at 110.0 as body broken into four rigidly curved pieces; leg length 6.0; antenna length 6.0. Number of segments: 51.

Colour: Prozonites light brown, mesozonites brown, and metazonites dark brown.Anal valve brown, margin orange. Caudal spine dark brown and orange towards tip, apex dark brown. Anal ring and anal valve uniformly light brown. Legs and antennae light brown basally, grading into purplish brown.

First ozopore: Segment 6.

Collum:Anterior corner with moderate projection, with one fairly prominent submarginal groove ( Fig. 198 View Figs 193–200 ).

Gonopods: Telopodite with one large falcate femoral spine originating at flexure of telopodite, its apex directed laterally, concealed under posterior telocoxal fold ( Fig. 193 View Figs 193–200 ). Pectinophore a very thin hyaline plate, embellished with a single series of long setiform projections ( Figs 195, 197 View Figs 193–200 ). Thumb branching off pectinophore, wide and concave with dentate margin ( Fig. 197 View Figs 193–200 ). Second lamella basally slender, apically expanded, and somewhat distant from primary branch ( Figs 193, 195, 197 View Figs 193–200 ). Anterior telocoxal fold laterally broadly rounded, with prominent apical and acute telocoxal spine ( Fig. 194 View Figs 193–200 ). Posterior telocoxal fold expanded distally into a nearly circular plate that conceals flexure of telopodite and femoral spine ( Fig. 193 View Figs 193–200 ).

Pre-anal ring: Caudal spine elongate and distally upturned ( Fig. 199 View Figs 193–200 ).

Distribution: Known only from the type locality in Limpopo ( Fig. 1 View Fig ).

Remarks: The apical elements of the telopodite resemble the condition observed in Zinophora species, but differ in terms of orientation. In Zinophora species the second lamella always makes up the upper branch, and the pectinophore and thumb the lower branch (e.g. Figs 174 View Figs 170–174 , 188 View Figs 184–190 ). In P. gorteri this condition is reversed such that the second lamella makes up the lower branch, and the pectinophore and thumb the upper branch ( Fig. 195 View Figs 193–200 ). The first pair of male legs resembles those of the Z. munda group with respect to the form of the prefemur and the lack of a suture on the syncoxosternum ( Figs 169 View Figs 163–169 , 200 View Figs 193–200 ).