Zoosphaerium piligerum (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 : 7

Zoosphaerium piligerum species-group

SPECIES INCLUDED. — Zoosphaerium piligerum (de Saussure & Zehntner, 1897) .

DISTRIBUTION. — Unclear, since most species are undescribed.

DIAGNOSIS. — This species group is still monotypic. Several undescribed species close to Z. piligerum were discovered, justifying the establishment of this species-group. The third joint of posterior telopods is slim and strongly elongated ( Fig. 34J ). Process of second joint is long, slender and curved towards the third joint ( Fig. 34K ). Similarities can also be found on the anterior telopods ( Fig. 34 G-I). A phylogenetic analysis will be necessary to confirm if the piligerum -group represents a monophyletic group to be kept separately from the other Malagasy sphaerotheriids.

Figures

FIG. 34. — Zoosphaerium piligerum (de Saussure & Zehntner, 1897): A, B, D-F, J, K, specimen BLF 2543; C, G-I, holotype; A, 9th left leg; B, coxa and prefemur of 1st right leg with 1st stigma-carrying plate; C, closing ledges of anal shield; D, coxa and prefemur of 2nd left leg with vulva; E, subanal plate; F, coxa of 2nd left leg with gonopore; G-I right anterior telopod; G, anterior view; H, inner view; I, lateral view; J, K, left posterior telopod; J, joints 2 and 3, anterior view; K, posterior view. Abbreviations: 12T, 12th tergite; AS, anal shield; Cx, coxa; LT, laterotergite; St, stigma-carrying plate. Scale bars: 1 mm.