Litovkia, Mikhaljova, 2021

Mikhaljova, Elena V., 2021, The millipede family Diplomaragnidae Attems, 1907 in the Asian part of Russia with the descriptions of two new genera and seven new species (Diplopoda, Chordeumatida), Zootaxa 5060 (1), pp. 1-44 : 18-19

Litovkia gen. nov.

Type species: Litovkia anisimovka sp. nov.

Species included: Litovkia anisimovka sp. nov., Litovkia lysaya ( Shear, 1990)

Diagnosis. The genus differs from other genera of the family mainly by the anterior angiocoxal processes of the posterior gonopods, which pass through lateral foramina in the colpocoxites, by the clavate femora of leg 4 with a depressed glabrous area, framed by an eyelashlike group of setae and by the distal bifurcation of the anterior angiocoxal processes. The structure of the male leg 4 is unique for the family Diplomaragnidae .

The new genus seems more closely related to the East Asian genus Diplomaragna and the South Korean genus Koreagna Mikhaljova and Lim, 2008 . The new genus resembles Diplomaragna in having both angiocoxal processes (anterior and posterior) of which the anterior one is long, passing through colpocoxites. However, the new genus differs from it by the anterior angiocoxal processes, which pass through lateral foramina in colpocoxites and by the bifurcation of the distal part of these processes (in contrast to the non-bifurcated anterior angiocoxal processes, passing between the colpocoxites along the midline in Diplomaragna ), as well as by the clavate femora of leg 4 with a depressed glabrous area, framed by an eyelashlike group of setae and by the presence of small mesal sheath processes (in contrast to the absence of a depressed glabrous area on the leg 4 femora and the absence of any sheath processes in Diplomaragna ).

The new genus resembles Koreagna mainly in the bifurcation of the distal part of the anterior angiocoxal process but differs by the presence of posterior angiocoxal processes and by the absence of lateral sheath processes of the colpocoxite, as well as by the absence of a depressed glabrous area on the leg 4 femora. It should also be noted that the anterior angiocoxite is completely divided into two branches (outer outgrowth and mesal long process piercing the colpocoxite or sheathed on its anterior face) in the species of the Japanese genus Pterygostegia Miyosi, 1958 ( Mikhaljova 2000) .

Description. Body with 32 rings. Eyes present, in a triangular fields. Medium-sized paraterga well-developed, horizontal. Leg pairs 3–7 more or less enlarged. Legs 4 with femora clavate, depressed glabrous area, framed by eyelashlike group of setae. Legs 10 and 11 with coxal glands.

Telopodites of anterior gonopods flagelliform, 1-segmented, each positioned on posterior face of posterior gonopod colpocoxites inside a narrow and deep sheath groove. Posterior gonopod colpocoxites fused medially basally or almost to midway. Each colpocoxite entire. Colpocoxite sheath groove with very small mesal processes. Posterior gonopod angiocoxite with a subglobule in posterior view. Anterior angiocoxal processes distally bifid, pass though lateral foramina in colpocoxites. Posterior angiocoxal processes present. Posterior gonopod telopodite 2-segmented, setose, distal segment of medium length.

Etymology. The generic name refers to the type locality, Mountain Litovka. Gender feminine.

Distribution. Russia: Far East (Primorsky Krai).