Zoosphaerium libidinosum (de Saussure & Zehntner, 1897)

Wesener, Thomas & Wägele, Johann-Wolfgang, 2008, The giant pill-millipedes of Madagascar: revision of the genus Zoosphaerium (Myriapoda, Diplopoda, Sphaerotheriida), Zoosystema 30 (1), pp. 5-85 : 21

Zoosphaerium libidinosum species-group

SPECIES INCLUDED. — Zoosphaerium libidinosum (de

Saussure & Zehntner, 1897); Z. arborealis Wesener & Sierwald , 200; Z. lambertoni ( Brolemann, 1922) ; Z. priapus (de Saussure & Zehntner, 1897) ; Z. anomalum (de Saussure & Zehntner, 1902) .

DIAGNOSIS. — These Malagasy giant pill-millipede species share a number of characters, identifying them as a species-group. Species of this group can be identified by a striking similarity in the shape of posterior telopods ( Figs 9K ; 14K ; 17I ). The third joint carries always more than 1 large, sclerotized, crenulated teeth on its backside closely to the tip. The hollowed-out margin juxtaposed to the second joint carries 2 large, membranous lobes and some shorter sclerotized spines ( Figs 9K ; 14L ; 17J ). To this species-group belong the only Zoosphaerium taxa, which (still?) possess a well-rounded operculum ( Fig. 9C, D ). Inside the group the species are clearly distinguishable by numerous characters, like the shape of anterior pair of telopods, the number of sensory cones on antenna, sensory cones on gnathochilarium, special shape of the female vulva operculum, body size, special bristle patterns on the collum and different structures on the surface of tergites.

REMARKS

A phylogenetic analysis will be necessary to confirm if the libidinosum -group represents a monophyletic group to be kept separately from the other Malagasy sphaerotheriids.

Figures

FIG. 9. — Zoosphaerium libidinosum (de Saussure & Zehntner, 1897): A, coxa of 1st left leg with 1st stigma-carrying plate (BLF 4812); B, 9th left leg (BLF 5763); C, coxa of 2nd left leg with vulva (BLF 2543); D, coxa of 2nd right leg with vulva (BLF MGF029); E-K ♂ (BLF 5763); E, coxa of 2nd right leg with gonopore;F, anterior telopods,anterior view;G-I, right anterior telopod;G, lateral view;H, posterior view;I, inner view,left posterior telopod;J, joint 3, anterior view;K, joints 2 and 3, posterior view. Abbreviations:Cx, coxa; EP, exterior plate; IP, inner plate; O, operculum; St, stigma-carrying plate. Scale bars: 1 mm.

FIG. 14. — Zoosphaerium priapus (de Saussure & Zehntner,1897):A, B, E, ♀ (FMNH 3911);A, coxa of 1st left leg with 1st stigma-carrying plate, posterior view; B, 9th left leg; E, subanal plate with washboard; C, D lectotype; C, closing ledges of anal shield; D, coxa of 2nd right leg with vulva;F-L, ♂ (FMNH 3911); F, coxa of 2nd left leg with gonopore;G-J left anterior telopod; G, anterior view; H, posterior view; I, inner view; J, lateral view; K, L right posterior telopod; K, anterior view; L, posterior view. Abbreviations: 12T, 12th tergite; AS, anal shield; Cx, coxa; LT, laterotergite; St, stigma-carrying plate. Scale bars: 1 mm.

FIG. 17. — Zoosphaerium anomalum (de Saussure & Zehntner,1902),holotype:A, habitus,body length 20.2 mm; B, coxa of 1st right leg with 1st stigma-carrying plate,posterior view;C, closing ledges of anal shield;D, coxa of 2nd right leg with gonopore;E-H, left anterior telopod; E, anterior view; F, posterior view; G, lateral view; H, inner view; I, J left posterior telopod; I, anterior view; J, posterior view. Abbreviations: 12T, 12th tergite; AS, anal shield; Cx, coxa; St, stigma-carrying plate; x, inner process of joint 3 of anterior telopods; y, lateral process of joint 3 of anterior telopods; z, process of joint 2 of anterior telopods. Scale bars: A, 5 mm; B-J, 1mm.