Hylekobolus montanus 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 : 111-112

Hylekobolus montanus Wesener , sp. n.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:7EE1F629-61E9-4BE1-94E8-3E10F2AE6E96

Material examined: 2 ♂, 2 ♀ Holotype: 1 ♂ (72 mm long), FMMC 8194 , Province de Toliara, RNI Andohahela , parcel 1, 10.0 km NW Eminiminy, 1500 m, montane rainforest, 24°34.2’ S, 46°43.9’ E, leg. S. Goodman, 17–27.XI.1995 . Paratypes: 1 ♀, FMMC 8194 , same data as holotype ; 1 ♂, 1 ♀, FMMC, Andohahela camp #5, 20 km SE Andranondambo, 1875 m, montane rainforest, 24°33.7’ S, 46°43.3’ E, leg. S. Goodman, 27.XI.–5.XII.1995 .

Differential diagnosis: see H. goodmani for a differentiation between both species. The posterior gonopods with the swollen, well-rounded projection (w, Fig. 60E ) resemble closely those of H. brachiosauroides ; see above for a separation between these two species.

Description. Measurements: males with 50 or 51 rings, circa 72 mm long, 5.0– 5.2 mm wide. Female with 50 rings, 74 mm long, 5.8 mm wide.

Coloration: median part of collum, anterior part of telson and body rings greyish ( Figs 60A, C ). Head dark green. Legs and antennae reddish ( Fig. 60B ). Posterior margin of collum, body rings and telson light brown ( Figs 60A, C ). Eyes with 46–48 ocelli ( Fig. 60A ).

Anterior gonopod sternite basally wide, apically elevated into a wide, well-rounded lobe ( Fig. 60D ). Mesal coxite process wide and only slightly protruding ( Fig. 60D ). Apical process of telopodite large and well-rounded. Retrorse margin slender, widely projecting above telopodite margin ( Fig. 60F ); margin basally of apical process not projecting ( Fig. 60F ).

Posterior gonopods telopodite bent 90° ( Fig. 60G ). Lateral margin with a thick, swollen, well-rounded projection (w, Fig. 60E ). Apical process (x) basally wide, apically tapering ( Fig. 60E ). Membranous lobe (y) large and circular ( Fig. 60E ). Projection of sperm canal (z) straight, long and slender ( Fig. 60G ).

Distribution and ecology: this species could until now only be collected in the Andohahela Mountains north of the Isaka-Ivondro corridor ( Fig. 54 ), at 1500–1850 m elevation. It is currently unknown if this species is restricted to such high elevations.

Etymology: montanus , adjective, refers to the high elevation where the species was collected.

Figures

Figure 54. Distribution map of the genus Hylekobolus gen. n.

Figure 60. Hylekobolus montanus sp. n., male holotype. A head, lateral view B legs 1–7, ventral view C telson D anterior gonopod, anterior view E left posterior gonopod, anterior view F anterior gonopod, posterior view G left posterior gonopod, posterior view. Apo = apodeme; av = anal valves; Co = collum; Cx = coxite; Gn = gnathochilarium; L = ledges; Md = mandible; Pre = preanal ring; St = sternite; T = telopodite. Scale bars = 1 mm.