Melogona transsylvanica (Verhoeff, 1897)

Vagalinski, Boyan, 2025, Melogona sintica sp. nov. - a surprising seventh member of Melogona Cook, 1895, with a key to species of the genus (Diplopoda: Chordeumatida: Chordeumatidae), Zootaxa 5728 (3), pp. 549-560 : 557-558

Melogona transsylvanica (Verhoeff, 1897)

Fig. 6C, F

Material. 1 ♂, 1 ♀ ( IBER), Bulgaria, Pernik District, v. Bosnek, opposite to the entrance of Duhlata Cave, by the left bank of Struma River , 03.III.2017, P. Mitov leg.

Descriptive notes. Syncolpocoxite ( Fig. 6C, F ) of anterior gonopods relatively broad, without distinct lateral corners and with broadly rounded or flattened apical margin. Apical part of angiocoxites ( Fig. 6I ) very similar to the condition in M. broelemanni , but the scoop/visor-like projection somewhat more pronounced. Apex of pseudoflagellum of posterior gonopods similar to that seen in M. sintica sp. nov., rather than to that in M. broelemanni .

Remarks. The species is new to the fauna of Bulgaria, the present record marking the southernmost point of its currently known distribution. Both gonopod pairs of the examined male specimen are particularly similar to those in the subspecies M. t. hungarica ( Sziráki, 1967) .

Figures

FIGURE 6. Melogona sintica sp. nov., ♂ holotype (NMNHS) (A, D) and ♂ paratype (G) (IBER), M. broelemanni, ♂ from Western Rhodope Mts, near village Belitsa (IBER) (B, E, H), and M. transsylvanica, ♂ from Pernik District, village Bosnek (IBER) (C, F, I). A–C. Syncolpocoxites of anterior gonopods in lateral view. D–F. Same in anterior view. G–I. Left angiocoxites in meso-anterior view. Scale bar: 0.2 mm.