Scotopetalum chinensis (Stoev & Geoffroy, 2004) Akkari & Macek & Stoev, 2023

Akkari, Nesrine, Macek, Oliver & Stoev, Pavel, 2023, A revision of the millipede family Paracortinidae (Diplopoda, Callipodida), ZooKeys 1187, pp. 341-399 : 341

Scotopetalum chinensis (Stoev & Geoffroy, 2004) comb. nov.

Figs 23 , 24 , 25 , 27G , 28

Paracortina chinensis Stoev & Geoffroy, 2004: 94, figs 1-8.

Studied material.

Paratypes: 1 male, 2 subadult females, China, Yunnan Region, Zheng Xiong County, Liao Jun Don Cave ( Touristic cave ), millipedes collected close to rat corpse, 17.08.1999, J. & B Lips leg. (BG- NMNHS-INV-000000006262) , Stoev det. April 2004.

Diagnosis.

Different from Scotopetalum warreni in the presence of a reduced mesal coxal process (vs absent in S. warreni ), as well as the distal part of the telopodite. Also, in the number of ommatidia 30 ommatidia in five or six rows (vs 15 ommatidia in 6 rows), and by having 2+2 dorsal crests between poriferous crests (vs 6+6).

Descriptive notes.

Corresponds to the description of the species as provided by Stoev and Geoffroy (2004); see also Figs 23 , 24A, B .

Male sexual characters.

Leg-pairs 1 and 2 reduced and more setose than the rest (Fig. 23B ), leg-pair 2 with a small anterior process and posterior opening of the gonopores. Leg-pair 7 with a short mesal triangular process and a large, rounded projection on coxa, trochanter with a smaller, rounded projection covered with setae (Fig. 27G ).

Gonopods. Parallel (Figs 24C, D , 25 ). One reduced, slender, and distally uniformly setose prefemoroidal process (less than half telopodite length) (pf1). Coxa with a very reduced anterior lobe (Ca) (Fig. 25A ), mesally with a triangular lobe (a) and a rudimentary posterior tooth (b) (Fig. 24D , 25B, C ). Telopodite (T) with a uniformly slender stem, gently curved, distally with a broad notch (n) separating a downturned bifurcated process (Fig. 24C, D , 25 ) bearing the solenomere (s) and parasolenomere (ps), overpassing a shorter anteriorly directed process (M), and a third flattened and acuminate process (k) emerging laterally.

Distribution.

Known from the caves Ke Ma Dong (Grotte du Brouillard Matinal), Liao Jun Dong (Tourist cave) and Da Hei Dong (Grande Grotte Noirre) in Zhen Xiong County, Yunnan, China.

Figures

Figure 23. Scotopetalum chinensis (Stoev & Geoffroy, 2004), comb. nov., male paratype (BG- NMNHS-INV- 000000006262 NMNHS) A, B head and anterior pleurotergites A lateral view B frontal view C close-up of ommatidia and organ of Toemoesvary.

Figure 24. Scotopetalum chinensis (Stoev & Geoffroy, 2004), comb. nov., male paratype (BG- NMNHS-INV- 000000006262 NMNHS) A, B midbody pleurotergites A dorsolateral view B dorsal view C, D gonopods C posterio-ventral view D posterio-lateral view. Abbreviations: a = mesal process of coxa; b = falcate mesal process of coxa; k = lateral process of the distal part of telopodite; M = mesal process of the distal part of telopodite; n = notch; pf = prefemoroidal process; s = solenomere; T = telopodite.

Figure 25. Scotopetalum chinensis (Stoev & Geoffroy, 2004), comb. nov., male paratype (BG- NMNHS-INV- 000000006262 NMNHS) gonopods A left gonopod, anterior view B both gonopods lateral view C left gonopod, lateral view D both gonopods posterior view. Abbreviations: a = mesal process of coxa; b = falcate mesal process of coxa; Ca = anterior lobe of coxa; k = lateral process of the distal part of telopodite; M = mesal process of the distal part of telopodite; n = notch; pf = prefemoroidal process; ps = parasolenomere; s = solenomere; T = telopodite.

Figure 27. Modifications on leg-pair 6 and leg-pair 7 in adult males of species of Paracortinidae A, B Paracortina viriosa (Wang & Zhang, 1993), male A leg pair 6 B leg pair 7 C, D Paracortina voluta Wang & Zhang, 1993, male C leg pair 6 D leg pair 7 E Paracortina asciformis Akkari & Stoev, sp. nov., male holotype, leg pair 7 F Paracortina kabaki Akkari & Stoev, sp. nov., male holotype, leg pair 7 G Scotopetalum chinensis (Stoev & Geoffroy, 2004) comb. nov., male paratype, leg pair 7. Abbreviations: c = coxa; pr = prefemur; tr = trochanter.

Figure 28. Distribution map of Paracortinidae in China and Vietnam.