Zoosphaerium libidinosum (de Saussure & Zehntner, 1897)

Wesener, Thomas, 2009, Unexplored richness: discovery of 31 new species of Giant Pill-Millipedes endemic to Madagascar, with a special emphasis on microendemism (Diplopoda, Sphaerotheriida), Zootaxa 2097 (1), pp. 1-134 : 15-16

Key to species of the Z. libidinosum species-group

1. Anal shield without locking carinae (in small, immature individuals sometimes traces of carinae are visible). ....... 2

- Anal shield with two obvious locking carinae. ........................................................................................................... 6

2. Operculum of vulva at least weakly notched apically (Fig. 7C). Fifth antennomere with field of sensilla basiconica apically (Fig. 8C) ......................................................................................................................................................... 3

- Operculum of vulva well-rounded apically (Fig. 14A). No sensilla basiconica present on fifth antennomere (Fig. 15A). ............................................................................................................................................................................ 4

3. Tergites dark green, in alcohol almost blackish, posterior margin light brown to yellow (Fig. 6A). Tarsus of walking legs broad, only 3.0 times longer than wide (Fig. 7A). Third podomere of anterior telopods with four large, sclerotized teeth (Fig. 7F). Endotergum marginal bristles strongly extending beyond tergite (Fig. 23B). .................... ........................................................................................................................................................... Z. haackeri , n. sp.

- Tergites white, only dorso-laterally on each side with light, shiny-green field (Fig. 1C). Tarsus of walking legs of usual size, 3.8 times longer than wide. Third podomere of anterior telopods with single large, sclerotized tooth (Fig. 10D). Endotergum marginal bristles slightly extending beyond tergite (Fig. 23C). ............................. Z. album , n. sp.

4. Male harp with two, weakly-developed stridulation ribs (Fig. 14B). Anterior telopod second podomere process slightly extending beyond third podomere (Fig. 14B). Third podomere laterally with plateau and mesally with sharp, prominent process (Figs 14B–D). Tergites light green with distinct, light-brown posterior margin (Fig. 6B). ............. ............................................................................................................................................................. Z. discolor , n. sp.

- Male harp with two stridulation ribs. Anterior telopod second podomere process shorter than third podomere. Third podomere of anterior telopods only laterally with plateau. ........................................................................................ 5

5. Tergites with dark-green, light green pattern, posteriorly with distinct, thin light-brown margin. First antennomere with sensilla basiconica. Anal shield glabrous. Endotergum with>3 rows of marginal bristles, strongly extending beyond tergite. .................................................................................... Z. libidinosum ( de Saussure & Zehntner, 1897)

- Tergites dark, almost blackish-green, posteriorly with distinct and wide light brown margin (Fig. 17A). First antennomere without sensilla basiconica (Fig. 19A). Anal shield covered with numerous short hair. Endotergum with single row of marginal bristles, slightly extending beyond tergite (Fig. 23E). ............................ Z. mitoho , n. sp.

6. Second and third podomeres of posterior telopods covered with numerous minute hairs (Fig. 21E). ....................... 7

- Second and third podomere of posterior telopods glabrous or covered with long setae. ........................................... 8

7. Tergites glossy, completely jade-like green. Male harp with two basally fused stridulation ribs. Third podomere of anterior telopods mesally with sharp, prominent process. Endotergum with one row of rounded cuticular impressions. Posterior telopod fixed finger basally without membranous lobe. ............................................................ ................................................................................................................ Z. anomalum ( de Saussure & Zehntner, 1902)

- Tergites glossy, jade-like green, with shiny dark-green pattern (Fig. 17B). Male harp with two stridulation ribs (Fig. 21B). Third podomere of anterior telopods without process (Fig. 21C). Endotergum without cuticular impressions (Fig. 23F). Posterior telopod fixed finger with membranous lobe (Fig. 21E). .............................. Z. pulchellum , n. sp.

8. Posterior end of anal shield in both sexes excavated. .................................................................................................. 9

- Posterior end of anal shield well-rounded................................................................................................................. 12

9. Tergites glossy, green. Male harp with two weakly-developed stridulation ribs (Fig. 24A). Anterior telopod third podomere with single, large, sclerotized tooth (Fig. 24B). ........................................................... Z. endemicum , n. sp.

- Tergites matte, brownish. Male harp with two well-developed stridulation ribs (Fig. 26D). ................................... 10

10. Locking carinae on anal shield of similar length. Third podomere of posterior telopods with circa 28 large, sclerotized teeth (Fig. 26H). Antenna with more than 40 apical cones (Fig. 27C). ...................... Z. xerophilum , n. sp.

- Posterior locking carina at least two times as long as anterior carina. Third podomere of posterior telopods with less than 25 large, sclerotized teeth. Antenna with less than 30 apical cones. ................................................................ 11

11. Posterior locking carina of anal shield more than three times longer than anterior carina............................................. ..................................................................................................................... Z. arborealis Wesener & Sierwald, 2005 A

- Posterior locking carina circa twice as long as anterior one .................................... Z. lambertoni (Brolemann, 1922)

12. Anal shield glabrous, golden (Fig. 17C). Tergites with unique pitchblack/reddish-brown pattern (Fig. 17C). Anterior telopod third podomere without large, sclerotized teeth (Fig. 28E). First antennomere without sensilla basiconica (Fig. 30A). Sclerotized teeth present on antennomeres 1–4 (Fig. 30A). Endotergum marginal bristles not extending beyond tergite margin (Fig. 35C). ......................................................................................................... Z. aureum n. sp.

- Anal shield covered with few, minute hair, of dirty brownish color. Tergites with light brown, blackish coloration pattern. Anterior telopod third podomere laterally with at least single large, sclerotized tooth (Fig. 32B). First antennomere with sensilla basiconica (Fig. 33A). Sclerotized teeth present on antennomeres 1–5 (Fig. 33A). Endotergum marginal bristles slightly extending beyond tergite margin (Fig. 35D). .............................................. 13

13. Legs short, femur 1.45 times longer than wide, tarsus 3.2 times longer than wide. Third pair of legs without apical spine. Third podomere of posterior telopods with circa 18 large, sclerotized teeth. Endotergum with two rows of marginal bristles. Posterior locking carina four time longer than anterior carina. Antenna with 25 or less apical cones. .......................................................................................................... Z. priapus ( de Saussure & Zehntner, 1897)

- Legs of usual size, femur 1.9 times longer than wide, tarsus 4.2 times longer than wide. Third pair of legs with apical spine. Third podomere of posterior telopods with circa 22 large, sclerotized teeth (Fig. 32D). Endotergum with three rows of marginal bristles (Fig. 35D). Locking carinae of equal size. Antenna with 35–86 apical cones (Fig. 33B). ... .................................................................................................................................................. Z. pseudopriapus n. sp.