Syndesmogenus fragilis Vohland, 2013

Vohland, Katrin & Hamer, Michelle, 2013, A review of the millipedes (Diplopoda) of Namibia, with identification keys and descriptions of two new genera and five new species, African Invertebrates 54 (1), pp. 251-251 : 299-300

Syndesmogenus fragilis Vohland , sp. n.

Figs 88–90

Etymology: From Latin fragilis (brittle, weak), in reference to the extremely small size of the species.

Diagnosis:Anal segment without spines, epiproct strongly curved downwards, sides with small folds ( Fig. 89). Gonopod solenomere ( Fig. 88, s) subdistally with short, darkened process ( Fig. 88, sp2), distally with larger spine-like process ( Fig. 88, ap).

Description:

Size: Very small millipede, width 0.8 mm; 74 segments.

Colour: Brown, dorsally lighter, ventrally light with dark stripes. Head brown, slightly reddish. Antenna brown, antennomeres distally with white border.

Head: Epicranial and interocular suture present, 6 supralabral pits, eyes subquadratic. Antenna stout, reaching 3 rd segment, antennomere 6>5>2>4=3>1>7, with antenomeres 5 and 6 thicker than the others ( Fig. 90).

Collum: 3 folds, leaving space for antenna ( Fig. 90).

Tergites and sternites: Prozonites with faint longitudinal striation, metazonites with some more marked striations ventrally. Sternites finely striated. Limbus faintly undulated. Paraprocts striated. Epiprocts bent downwards ( Fig. 89), paraprocts without spines. Gonopod aperture anteriorly with sternite and legs of 6 th segment clearly visible.

Legs: Pads become smaller on more posterior legs.

Gonopods: Telocoxite with darkened process ( Fig. 88, tc). Telopodite with prefemoral process ( Fig. 88, prfp), tarsus with smooth border, encircling long slender solenomere. Further distally, there is a small process ( Fig. 88, sp2), distal to which solenomere becomes broader, the apical region having a spinous lateral branch ( Fig. 88, ap).

Holotype: ♂ NAMIBIA: Helio , 19°03'S 16°29'E, 27.iii–4.v.1988, E. Griffin, preservative pitfall trap ( SMN 21898 ) ( NMNW).