Pseudocentrobolus aureus Wesener, 2009

Wesener, Thomas, Enghoff, Henrik & Sierwald, Petra, 2009, Review of the Spirobolida on Madagascar, with descriptions of twelve new genera, including three genera of ' fire millipedes' (Diplopoda), ZooKeys 19 (19), pp. 1-128 : 63

Pseudocentrobolus aureus Wesener , sp. n.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:7054A53D-190A-4AC4-813D-FEE9FCBF8269

Material examined: 34 ♂, 12 ♀, 1 imm. Holotype: 1 ♂ (42 mm long, dissected), CAS BLF 6071 , Madagascar, Province Toliara, Forêt Beroboka , 5.9 km 131°SE Ankidranoka, tropical dry forest, 80 m, 22°13’59” S, 043°21’59” E, leg. Fisher, Griswold et al., 12–16.III.2002 . Paratypes: 2 ♂, 1 ♀, CAS BLF 6071 , same data as holotype ; 11 ♂, 3 ♀, FMMC 5495 , Forêt des Mikea , 7.5 km NE Tsifota, spiny bush forest, 60 m, 22°48.0’ S, 43°26.0’ E, leg. S. Goodman, pitfall trap, 25–26.II.2003 ; 4 ♂, 3 ♀, FMMC 5497 , Forêt des Mikea , 9.5 km W. Ankiloaka, partially disturbed dry forest on red sands, 80 m, 22°46.7’ S, 43°31.4’ E, leg. V. Soarimalala, pitfall trap, 16–17.II.2003 ; 3 ♂, 9 ♀, FMMC 5501 , same data as previous, but leg. S. Goodman, 14–15.II.2003 ; 8 ♂, FMMC 5506 , same data as previous, but leg. S. Goodman, 16–17.II.2003 ; 2 ♂, FMMC 5681 , Forêt des Mikea , 19 km SW Tanandava, 70 m 21°52.0’ S, 43°39.6’ E, leg. V. Soarimalala, pitfall trap, 22–24.III.2003 .

Other material examined: 4 ♂, CASENT 9032809, Lake Ranobe , spiny forest, 30 m, 23°2.941’ S, 43°36.635’ E, leg. Frontier Wilderness Project, 21–28.I.2003 .

Differential diagnosis: see key for a separation between P. aureus and P. vohibasiensis sp. n. The colour pattern of Pseudocentrobolus aureus is unique for Malagasy millipedes and allows for an easy identification.

Description. Measurements: males with 40 body rings, 40–48 mm long, 4.4–4.6 mm wide. Females with 39 or 40 body rings, 40–47 mm long, 4.9–5.0 mm wide.

Coloration affected by alcohol. Head, legs, antennae, telson and mesozonites of body rings golden. Metazonites of body rings black ( Figs 31 A–D). Antennae very short, protruding back to body ring 2 ( Fig. 31D ). Male coxal processes short and conical, only present on coxae 3 and 4. Coxae 5–7 slightly swollen in appearance ( Fig. 31B ). Preanal process well-rounded, prominently extending beyond anal valves ( Fig. 31C ).

Anterior gonopod sternite elongated into a wide, mesally slightly notched lobe ( Fig. 34A ). Coxite shorter than sternite ( Fig. 34A ). Telopodite on anterior side visible, on posterior side apically with a well-rounded process ( Fig. 34B ). Telopodite process short and well-rounded, laterally curved, only slightly longer than coxite ( Fig. 34B ).

Posterior gonopods: telopodite disc covered with numerous teeth ( Fig. 35B ). Membranous process well-developed, basally wide, apically slightly tapering ( Fig. 35A ).

Intraspecific variation: although specimens from the type series were collected from three different localities, no intraspecific variation of gonopods, colour or size was observed. Females are always 0.5 mm wider than males.

Distribution and ecology: this species was recorded from spiny forests close to the West Coast ( Fig. 30 ).

Etymology: aureus , adjective, refers to the characteristic golden colour pattern of the species ( Fig. 31A ).

Figures

Figure 30. Distribution of the genera Pseudocentrobolus gen. n., Granitobolus gen. n. and Caprobolus gen.n.

Figure 31. Pseudocentrobolus aureus sp. n., A–D, G, H male paratype; E, F female paratype. A head, lateral view B legs 1–7, ventral view C telson D head, antenna and collum, lateral view E second leg with vulva F female midbody ring with legs G posterior gonopods, anterior view H posterior gonopods, posterior view. av = anal valves; Co = collum; Cx = coxite; Gn = gnathochilarium; Md = mandible; mem-p = membranous process; Pre = preanal ring; St = sternite; St-Cx = coxosternite; T = telopodite; Vu = vulva. Scale bars = 1 mm.

Figure 34. Pseudocentrobolus aureus sp. n., male holotype, anterior gonopod A anterior view B posterior view. Cx = coxite; St = sternite; T = telopodite. Scale bar = 1 mm.

Figure 35. Pseudocentrobolus aureus sp. n., male paratype, A–C left, D–E right posterior gonopod. A overview, anterior view B detail of disc, anterior view C membranous process, anterior view D overview, posterior view E detail of disc, posterior view F detail of membranous process, posterior view. Cx = coxite; mem-p = membranous process; St = sternite; T = telopodite.