Cryptops covertus Chamberlin, 1951

Lewis, John G. E., 2011, A review of the species in the genus Cryptops Leach, 1815 from the Old World related to Cryptops (Cryptops) hortensis (Donovan, 1810) (Chilopoda, Scolopendromorpha, International Journal of Myriapodology 4, pp. 11-50 : 17-18

Cryptops covertus Chamberlin, 1951 Figs 17-23

Cryptops covertus Chamberlin, 1951 Publ. Cult. Cia Diamant. Angola 10: 107.

Material examined.

NMNH. Four “syntypes” Cryptops covertus Ch. ANG 817.2. [Dundo, Forest of Luachimo, Angola]. Specimen 1: 16 mm, is the best preserved specimen and corresponds most closely with Chamberlin’s description. It is here designated the lectotype, the identity of the other specimens being in doubt. They are: specimen 2: 14 mm (ultimate legs missing), specimen 3 (posterior half only), specimen 4: 9 mm. Specimens 2 and 3 are clearly other species. Specimen 4 was not examined in detail. Chamberlin examined 9 specimens in all.

Diagnosis.

Length: 16 mm. Without dark subcuticular pigment. Cephalic plate without sutures. Anterior margin of forcipular coxosternite bilobed with 5 or 6 stout marginal setae on each side. Poison gland calyx subspherical. Coxopleural pore field, with about 25 pores and several small setae, occupying no more than anterior 74% of coxopleuron. Ultimate legs with 10 tibial and 3 tarsal saw teeth. Legs 1-20 with short pretarsal accessory spurs.

Description of lectotype.

( Chamberlin’s (1951) data in parentheses where relevant).

Length 16 mm. Light orange, without subcuticular pigment but with dark stellate bodies beneath the cuticle, presumably fungal (colour light brown, the cephalic plate and last legs a brighter yellow).

Each antenna of 7 long articles probably as the result of elongation after articles lost as suggested by Lewis (2000). Cephalic plate without sutures except for slight traces on posterior margin. Tergite 1 without sutures and overlying cephalic plate. Anterior margin of forcipular coxosternite bilobed, with 6+5 stout larger and 2 +2 smaller marginal setae (Figs 17, 18) (marginal setae 5+5 or 6+6). Poison gland calyx subspherical.

Tergites with paramedian sulci from 3, lateral crescentic sulci from 4 but with traces on tergites 2 and 3. Sternite cruciform sulci not observed (sulci forming a cross in the middle).

Coxopleuron with about 25 pores of varying size (Fig. 19), the pore field, with several small spine like setae, occupying the anterior 74% of coxopleuron. With 6 setae on the posterior margin and a single seta just anterior to them. Prefemur of ultimate leg (Fig. 20) with fine setae dorsally and dorsolaterally, with spine-like setae (Fig. 21) ventrolaterally, ventrally and medially except for a longitudinal glabrous area medially. Femur with fine setae dorsally, spine-like setae (Fig. 21) and a few fine setae ventrally and spine like setae ventromedially. Tibia and tarsus 1 and 2 with fine setae. Right tibia with 10 saw teeth, comprising 8 and a second row of 2, tarsus with 3 saw teeth (Fig. 22) (Tibia with 4 stout teeth in series below [meaning?], the first tarsal joint with 2. Tibia with a low obtuse tooth on each side at distal end above). Legs 1-19 with undivided tarsi and fine setae. Pretarsi of legs 1-20 with short accessory spurs (Fig. 23).

Distribution.

Angola.

Remarks.

Chamberlin’s description of the arrangement of saw teeth on the ultimate legs differs markedly from that of the lectotype which otherwise compares well with his brief description. Further material is required to resolve this difference.