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 : 22

KEY TO THE ZOOSPHAERIUM LIBIDINOSUM SPECIES- GROUP

1. Inner margin of anal shield without locking carinae (in small, immature individuals traces of carinae can be visible). Operculum of female vulva well-rounded, not notched ( Fig. 10C ). Tarsi slim, antenna with more than 10 sensory cones. Adults> 2 mm ... Z. libidinosum

— Inner margin of anal shield with 2 well-visible locking carinae ( Fig. 14C ). Apical margin of vulva operculum medially notched ( Fig. 14D ) ....................................................... 2

2. Hindmost point of anal shield extended, slightly protruding posteriorly .................... 3

— Hindmost end of anal shield well-rounded ................................................................. 4

3. Posterior locking carina of anal shield more than 3 times longer than anterior carina .................................................................................................................. Z. arborealis

— Posterior locking carina less than 3 times longer than anterior one .......... Z. lambertoni

4. Brown-blackish coloration pattern. More than 10 sensorial cones on antenna ( Fig. 1 C ). Legs short, covered with long hairs ( Fig. 14B ). Third joint of posterior telopods without small hairs, second joint basally with one large, membranous lobe ( Fig. 14K ) ... Z. priapus

— Shiny green coloration pattern (Fig. A). Four sensorial cones on antenna. Legs elongated. Second and third joints of posterior telopods covered with numerous minute hairs. Process of second joint basally without membranous lobe ( Fig. 17I, J ) ................ Z. anomalum

Figures

FIG. 10. — Zoosphaerium libidinosum (de Saussure & Zehntner, 1897), SEM (BLF 5239): A-C right antenna; A, overview, lateral view; B, joint 6 with disc, apical view; C, sensory (?) cones on first joint; D-F gnathochilarium; D, posterior side; E, sensory cone lateral of left palpus; F, sensory cones on central located pads. Abbreviations: cP, central pads; P, palpus. Scale bars: A, 1 mm; B, 300 μm; C, 30 μm; D, 400 μm; E, F, 20 μm.

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. 1. — Zoosphaerium neptunus (Butler, 1872): A-C ♂ (MNHN CB020); A, habitus; B, coxa of 1st left leg with 1st stigma-carrying plate; C, posterior body end with anal shield, ventral view, last three leg pairs and telopods removed; D, closing ledges of anal shield (holotype of Z. digitale n. syn.); E, closing ledges of anal shield (lectotype of Z. pygidiale n. syn.); F, G, holotype; F, 9th left leg; G, operculum of vulva; H, coxa of 2nd left leg with vulva (paralectotype of Z. pygidiale n. syn.); I, coxa of 2nd left leg with gonopore (MNHN CB020). Abbreviations:12T, 12th tergite; AS, anal shield; Cx, coxa; LT, laterotergite; O, operculum; St, stigma-carrying plate. Scale bars: A, 10 mm; B-I, 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.