Oxypyge lapidicina ( Chamberlin, 1922 ) Chamberlin, 1922

Bond, Jason E. & Marek, Paul E., 2003, Rhinocricidae Systematics I: The taxonomic placement of the species of Zipyge Chamberlin, 1925 and Oxypygides Chamberlin, 1922 (Diplopoda: Spirobolida: Rhinocricidae: Oxypyginae), Zootaxa 292, pp. 1-8 : 7-8

Oxypyge lapidicina ( Chamberlin, 1922) comb. nov. ( Figs. 12–17 )

Oxypygides lapidicina Chamberlin 1922 . Proceedings of the U.S. National Museum. 60(8):26, pl. 11, figs. 3–7. MALE HT (deposited in United States National Museum, Smithsonian, not examined). Guatemala: Dept. Alta Verapaz, Candelaria Rocks, Scamay Estuary. Hoffman 1999. Checklist of the Millipeds of North and Middle America. p. 96.

Remarks: Oxypygides represents, as noted by Hoffman (1999), “another highly artificial taxon”. Chamberlin (1922) considered this genus to be separate from Oxypyge based on modifications to the first ring segment (“having a deep characteristic pit”, Fig. 13 ) and having an anal tergite that is rounded rather than acute. The two species placed in Oxypigydes appear to be united as sister taxa based on the presence of these deep pits; the unique modification of the anal tergite is, however, not apparent. Although likely a good synapomorphy, both species share gonopod and anal valve features that place them solidly in Oxypyge , thus, Oxypygides is considered here to be paraphyletic with respect to Oxypyge and is therefore synonymized.

Figures

FIGURES 12 – 17. Oxypyge mesites (Chamberlin, 1922), male holotype. 12, lateral view of male anterior segments. 13, ventral view of anterior segments, arrow points to pits on first ring segment. 14, posterior segments, male. 15, anterior gonopod, posterior view. 16, anterior gonopod, anterior view. 17, left posterior gonopod. [Scale bar = 1.0 mm (Figs. 15 – 17)]