Sphaeropauropus angulatus, Scheller, Ulf, 2011

Scheller, Ulf, 2011, New records of Pauropoda (Myriapoda) from north-western Thailand, International Journal of Myriapodology 4, pp. 51-77 : 71-73

Sphaeropauropus angulatus sp. n. Figs 84-94

Material.

Holotype ad. 9(♂), Thailand, Chiang Mai province, Doi Inthanon, near Mae Chaem crossing, litter, alt. 1700 m, 1991.vii.12, loc. CM-162. - Paratype ad. 9(♂), below the top, primary rain forest, litter, alt. 2400 m, 1991.vii. 4, loc. CM-206. - Non type material, Mae Chaem road, secondary dry forest, litter, alt. 1150 m, 1juv. 3, 1991.vi.30, loc. CM-064, ibidem, litter, 1 subad. 8(♀), 1991.vii.4, loc. CM-096, ibidem, below the top, primary rain forest, litter, alt. 2400 m, 1 juv. stad.?, 1991.vii.4, loc.CM-194, ibidem, below the top, primary rain forest, soil, 1 subad. 8(♀), 1991.vii.4, loc. CM-195, ibidem, litter, 1 ad. (♀), 1991.vii.4, loc. 202, ibidem, soil, 1 stad.?, 1991.vii.4, loc. CM-207, ibidem, litter,1 juv. 5, 1 juv. 3, 1991.vii.4, loc. CM-212, ibidem, litter, 1 ad. 9(♀), 1991.vii.4, loc. CM-219, ibidem, litter, 2 juv. stad?,1991.vii.4, loc. CM-222. - 13 specimens.

Etymology.

From the Latin angulatus, with angles (referring to the shape of the lateral margins of the anal plate).

Diagnosis.

Sphaeropauropus angulatus is well defined from its congeners by the shape of the anal plate with distinct lateral corners and by the cuticular pattern of the tergites. At present its relationships can not be traced.

Description.

Antennae (Fig. 84). Chaetotaxy of segments 1-4: 2/2/2/3. Setae of first three segments and seta p’’ of 4th segment thin cylindrical, faintly striate, p and p’ of 4th segment distinctly tapering, pointed glabrous, relative length of setae there: p=10, p’=p’’ =10, r=5. g´ of 3rd segment not proved. Tergal seta p 0.8 of the length of tergal branch t. The latter cylindrical, 4.0 times as long as the greatest diameter and 1.1 times as long as sternal branch s. That branch subcylindrical, 2.8 times as long as the greatest diameter. Anteriodistal truncation small, seta q short thin pointed, 0.2 of the length of s. Relative lengths of flagella (base segments included) and base segments: F1=100, bs1=13, F2=51, bs2=7, F3=89, bs3=15. F1 2.8 times as long as t, F2 and F3 1.5 and 2.7 times as long as s respectively. Globulus g straight, stalk thin, g 2.2 times as long as its greatest diameter; ≈10 bracts, capsule almost spherical. Calyces small conical, flagella axis not widened below calyx. Cuticle of antennae glabrous.

Trunk (Figs 85-89). Submedian setae of collum segment (Fig. 85) not proved, sublateral setae thin simple striate; sternite process broad low; appendages short cylindrical with thin caps. Process and appendages glabrous.

Tergites with tuft-like setae with clavate stalk (Figs 86-88). Cuticle between setae (Fig. 89) with very small sessile organs in the centre of round glabrous spots surrounded by dense short pubescence arranged in a checkered pattern. Pubescence longest on lateral parts of tergites.

Bothriotricha. All but T3 with very thin glabrous, very shortly pubescent axes. T3 (Fig. 90) with thicker axes and distal swelling, length of the latter 1/3 of the length of bothriotrix. Relative lengths of bothriotricha: T1=100, T2=144, T3=62, T4=139, T5=146.

Genital papillae (Fig. 91). Longish, 3.4(-3.6) times as long greatest diameter, proximal half subcylindrical, distal half tapering, seta 0.3 of the length of papilla. Cuticle glabrous. Coxal seta of leg 2 as on leg 1.

Legs (Figs 92, 93). All legs 5-segmented. Setae on coxa and trochanter of legs 9 (Fig. 92) furcate, main branch very thin, striate; secondary branch rudimentary pointed glabrous. These setae on legs 1-8 similar. Tarsus of leg 9 slender bow-shaped, (4.9-)5.0 times as long as greatest diameter, two tergal setae, both tapering pointed glabrous. Proximal seta 0.2 of the length of tarsus and (4.0-)4.2 times as long as distal seta. No proximal seta on tarsus of leg 1. Appendage of anterior side of femur of leg 1 not studied. Legs glabrous. All legs with almost straight main claw and small setose anterior secondary claw, length of main claw 0.3 of the length of tarsus.

Pygidium (Fig. 94). Tergum. Posterior margin straight. Setae subsimilar to each other, cylindrical straight glabrous, directed posteriorly. Relative lengths of setae: a1=10, a2=6(-7), a3=14(-16), st=(11-)12. Distance a1-a1 2.5 times as long as a1, distance a1-a2 almost as long as distance a2-a3; distance st-st 1.6 times as long as st and 0.5 of distance a1-a1. Cuticle glabrous.

Sternum. Posterior margin straight. Setae tapering pointed, b3 converging. Relative lengths of setae (pygidial a1=10): b1 lost, b2=13, b3=16. b2 as long as distance b1-b2, b3 0.3 of interdistance.

Anal plate pentagonal with distinct lateral corners and two somewhat diverging cylindrical branches protruding backwards from posterior part of sternal side; each branch with two distal appendages: one inner short pointed, the other long clavate; the latter 0.5 of the length of plate; clavate appendages faintly pubescent, other parts of plate glabrous.