Eupolybothrus nudicornis (Gervais, 1837)

Stoev, Pavel, Akkari, Nesrine, Zapparoli, Marzio, Porco, David, Enghoff, Henrik, Edgecombe, Gregory D., Georgiev, Teodor & Penev, Lyubomir, 2010, The centipede genus Eupolybothrus Verhoeff, 1907 (Chilopoda: Lithobiomorpha: Lithobiidae) in North Africa, a cybertaxonomic revision, with a key to all species in the genus and the first use of DNA barcoding for the group, ZooKeys 50, pp. 29-77 : 35-44

Eupolybothrus nudicornis (Gervais, 1837) Figs 1-2

Lithobius nudicornis Gervais 1837: 49. Type locality: Sicily, Italy. OD.

Lithobius impressus CL Koch 1841: 224, Tab. IX. Type localities: Alger and Oran, Algeria. OD.

Lithobius impressus : Lucas 1849: 340, Pl. 2, fig. 4.RD, FR.

Lithobius monilicornis Newport in Lucas 1849: 384. Type locality: Boudjaréa, near Algiers, Algeria. OD.

Lithobius elongatus Newport in Lucas 1849: 385. Type localities: Lac Tonga, Lac Houbeira, La Calle, all in Algeria. OD.

Lithobius impressus : L Koch 1862: 36, Tab. I, Fig. 7 a, b. RD.

Lithobius impressus : CL Koch 1863: 115, Tab. LII, Fig. 105. RD.

Lithobius impressus : Meinert 1872: 308. FR, BD.

Lithobius koenigi : Verhoeff 1891: 65. Type locality: Tunis. OD.

Lithobius impressus : Pocock 1892: 25. FR.

Lithobius Hemilithobius elongatus : Silvestri 1896: 148. RD, FR, BD.

Lithobius elongatus : Verhoeff 1901: 438. Type localities: Algeria: Oran: Rio Salado, Chaba el Ham, Djebel el Tessala, Saida, Hamman bou Hadjar. OD.

Polybothrus Koenigi Verh.: Attems 1908: 104. FR.

Bothropolys impressus ,? Bothropolys monilicornis ,? Lithobius elongatus ,? Lithobius nudicornis : Brolemann 1921: 105. CHL.

Bothropolys elongatus : Brolemann 1931a: 131. FR.

Bothropolys elongatus , Bothropolys elongatus : Brolemann 1932: 54. K.

Bothropolys elongatus Koenigi: Manfredi 1939: 110. FR.

Eupolybothrus Allopolybothrus cloudsley-thompsoni Turk 1955: 281, figs 7-12. Type locality: Roman aqueduct, 15 miles south of Tunis, Tunisia. OD. New Synonym!

Eupolybothrus cloudsley-thompsoni : Cloudsley-Thompson 1956: 327, Appendix VIII. CHL.

Schizopolybothrus lebruni Dobroruka 1968: 213, fig. 17. Type locality: Reg. Pont du Fahs, Djebel Mansour. OD.

Eupolybothrus impressus : Eason 1972a: 108. RD.

Eupolybothrus impressus , Eupolybothrus impressus : Eason 1972b: 305-306. RD.

Eupolybothrus impressus : Zapparoli 1985: 1, figs 1-2. FR, RD.

Bothropolys elongatus : Daas et al. 1995: 21, 23, 24, 25, 26. FR, BD.

Eupolybothrus elongatus : Daas et al. 1996: 365-370. FR, BD.

Eupolybothrus nudicornis : Daas et al. 2003: 240. BD.

Lithobius koenigi : Stagl and Zapparoli 2006: 19. CHL.

Material examined.

Type material of Eupolybothrus cloudsley-thompsoni : 7 ♂♂, 2 ♀♀, 1 juv. of Eupolybothrus cloudsley-thompsoni + 1 juv. Lithobius castaneus Newport, 1844, Tunisia, Roman aqueduct 15 miles south of Tunis, 4.IV.1954, Cloudsley-Thompson leg. Turk Collection, Syntypes. Last pair of legs mounted on a slide, Turk collection 1984.10.1.77 (NHM).

Nontype material: SPAIN: 3 ♂♂, 3 ♀♀, 5 subad. ♂♂, 3 subad. ♀♀, 2 juv., labelled " Lithobius impressus Granada Meinert" and " Eupolybothrus impressus (Newport) det. E.H. Eason 1980", Meinert Collection (ZMUC); ALGERIA: 3 specimens, Djebel Maadid, Kalas Beni Hammaad, 1000 m, 23.X.1989, G. Osella (CMZ); TUNISIA (governorates listed according to their location, from North to South): Bizerte Governorate: 8 ♂♂, 7 ♀♀, 2 juv., Ghar el Melh, garden, Ceratonia siliqua , 37°19'N, 09°51'E, alt. 35 m, in litter, 11.I.2003, N. Akkari leg. (FMNH); 1 ♂, 2 subad. ♀♀, La Grotte beach, 37°19'N, 09°50'E, alt. 5 m, slope facing the sea, halophilous vegetation, under stones, 12.II.2004, N. Akkari leg. (FMNH); 4 ♂♂, 2 ♀♀, Ghar el Melh, 37°19'N, 09°51'E, alt. 35 m, slope with sparse shrubs, under stones, 1.III.2004, N. Akkari leg. (FMNH); 1 ♂, 1 ♀, Ichkeul National Park, inside the park, 37°07.861'N, 09°41.338'E, alt. 5 m, rocks, shrubs, grass, close to the road, under stones, 23.III.2008, P. Stoev, N. Akkari leg. (NMNHS); 1 ♂, 1 ♀, Ichkeul National Park, 37°08.25'N, 09°41.31'E, alt. 0-50 m, Olea europaea - Pistacia lentiscus maquis, 12.III.2009, N. Akkari, H. Enghoff leg. (ZMUC); Béja Governorate: 3 ♂♂, 8 ♀♀, 3 subad. ♂♂, Rahayette (2 km from Sidi Salem Lac), 36°42'N, 09°18'E, alt. 180 m, meadow, shrubs, under stones, 26.XII.2003, N. Akkari leg. (FMNH); 1 ♂, 3 juv., entrance of the city, 36°42.7311'N, 09°19.611'E, alt. 362 m, open area with scattered Eucalyptus , under stones, 24.IV.2005, N. Akkari leg. (FMNH); 5 ♂♂, 7 ♀♀, 7 km from Zahret Médine, 36°46.857'N, 09°01.688'E, alt. 500 m, limestone hill, shrubs, under stones, 20.III.2008, P. Stoev, N. Akkari leg. (NMNHS); 1 ♀, entrance of Béja City, 36°42.311'N, 09°19.611'E, alt. 362 m, open area with scattered Eucalyptus , under stones, 15.IV.2007, N. Akkari leg. (FMNH); Tunis Governorate: 4 ♂♂, 2 juv.,Jebel Bou Kornine, close to the asphalt road (highway: Tunis-Hammamète) 17.II.2004, N. Akkari leg. (FMNH); 1 juv., Tunis, 12.II.1903, Lajos Biró leg (HNHM); 1 ♂, 1 subad. ♂, Tunis, 23.II.1903, Lajos Biró leg. (HNHM); 4 ♂♂, 2 ♀♀, Jebel Bou Kornine, 8.IV.2004, N. Akkari leg. (FMNH); 4 ♂♂, 4 ♀♀, Jebel Bou Kornine, 8.IV.2007, N. Akkari leg. (FMNH); 1 ♀, Bou Kornine National Park, 36°42.530'N, 10°20.680'E, alt. 105-150 m, Thuja , Eucalyptus , dry river bed, under stones and logs, 4.III.2008, P. Stoev, N. Akkari leg (NMNHS); Ariana Governorate: 1 ♂, 2 ♀♀, Nahli Park, 36°53'N, 10°09'E, alt. 68 m, suburban habitat with Eucalyptus , Pinus halepensis , under stones, 31.III.2006, N. Akkari leg. (FMNH); 1 ♂, 1 ♀, Sidi Thabet, Jebel Ammar, 10.II.2007, N. Akkari leg. (FMNH); Jendouba Governorate: 1 ♂, Béni Mtir, surroundings of the dam, 36°44'N, 08°44'E, alt. 445 m, shrubs, under stones, 18.II.2007, N. Akkari leg. (FMNH); 3 ♂♂, 3 ♀♀, Béni Mtir, 36°44'N, 08°44'E, alt. 408 m, slope close to the asphalt road, Quercus suber , under stones, 19.II.2007, N. Akkari leg. (FMNH); 3 ♀♀, same locality, under logs, 36°44.583'N, 08°44.832'E, alt. 493 m, 19.II.2007, N. Akkari leg. (FMNH); 5 ♀♀, same locality, 36°44.006'N, 08°44.001'E, alt. 500 m, 19.II.2007, N. Akkari leg. (FMNH); 4 ♂♂, 4 ♀♀, same locality, alt. 503 m, Quercus suber , Erica arborea and Myrtus communis , under stones, 19.II.2007, N. Akkari leg. (FMNH); 3 subad. ♂♂, Béni Mtir and surroundings, 36°43.888'N, 08°44.105'E, alt. 404 m, Quercus suber , close to the road, under stones, 21.III.2008, P. Stoev, N. Akkari leg. (BIO); 4 ♂♂, 3 ♀♀, 2 subad. ♂♂, ruins of the ancient Roman town Bulla Regia, 36°33.506'N, 08°45.356'E, alt. 185 m, under stones, 21.III.2008, P. Stoev, N. Akkari leg. (NMNHS); 2 subad. ♂♂, 1 subad. ♀, Tabarka, the Genoese fort and surroundings, 36°57.838'N, 08°44.680'E, alt. 20-30 m, slope facing the sea, grass, rocks scattered trees, under stones and logs, 22.III.2008, P. Stoev, N. Akkari leg. (NMNHS); 2 ♂♂, 2 ♀♀, Hammam Bourguiba (west of Aïn Draham), 36°45.926'N, 08°35.084'E, alt. 158 m, meadow with scattered trees, under stones, 22.III.2008, P. Stoev, N. Akkari leg. (NMNHS); 1 ♀, 3 km from Hammam Bourguiba (west of Aïn Draham), 36°46.476'N, 08°36.575'E, alt. 322 m, meadow with scattered trees, under stones, 22.III.2008, N. Akkari, P. Stoev leg. (NMNHS); 1 ♂, 2 subad. ♂♂, 3 subad. ♀♀, 9 km from Hammam Bourguiba (west of Aïn Draham), 36°48.046'N, 08°39.544'E, alt. 379 m, pine forest, humid, close to river, under stones, logs and leaf litter, 22.III.2008, P. Stoev, N. Akkari leg. (NMNHS); 2 ♀♀, surroundings of Aïn Draham, collected from under bark of decaying trunk and stones, 31.III.1977, L. Gozmány, S. Mahunka leg. (HNHM); 3 ♂♂, 3 ♀♀, Tabarka, 36°58.105'N, 08°45.356'E, alt. <40 m, coastal slope below Genoese fort, under stones, 9.III.2009, N. Akkari, H. Enghoff leg. (ZMUC); Nabeul Governorate: 1 ♂, 1 ♀, 1 juv., Cap Bon Peninsula, Hammamète, Olea europaea orchard, under stones, 17.II.2004, N. Akkari leg. (FMNH); 2 ♂♂, 2 ♀♀, Cap Bon Peninsula, Dar Chichou, coniferous forest, under stones with Pinus halepensis , 14.III.2004, N. Akkari leg. (FMNH); 1 ♂, 4 ♀♀, 1 juv., Cap Bon Peninsula, El Haouaria, N37°3, E10°59, alt. 50 m, 28.IV.2004, N. Akkari leg. (FMNH); 1 ♂, 3 ♀♀, 3 juv., Cap Bon Peninsula, Oued el Abid, close to the sea shore, under stones, 9.III.2005, N. Akkari leg. (FMNH); 3 ♂♂, 3 juv., Cap Bon Peninsula, Oued el Abid village, 36°51.804'N, 10°44.701'E, alt. 79 m, 9.III.2005, N. Akkari leg. (FMNH); 1 ♂, Cap Bon Peninsula, Sidi Erraiès, close to a polluted beach, 9.III.2005, N. Akkari leg. (FMNH); 1 ♂, 2 ♀♀, Cap Bon Peninsula, Kélibia, Mansoura beach, 36°50.994'N, 11°07.361'E, alt. 1 m, under stones, 23.III.2005, N. Akkari leg. (FMNH); 3 ♂♂, 1 ♀, 1 subad. ♂, 2 subad. ♀♀, Cap Bon Peninsula, near Oued El Abid Dam, 36°49.901'N, 10°42.378'E, alt. 42 m, grass, stones, under stones, 24.III.2008, N. Akkari, P. Stoev leg. (NMNHS); 12 ♂♂, 10 ♀♀, 1 subad. ♂, 2 juv., Cap Bon Peninsula, near Oued El Abid village, 36°51.804'N, 10°44.711'E, alt. 79 m, Eucalyptus and Pinus forest, under stones, 24.III.2008, P. Stoev, N. Akkari leg. (NMNHS); 1 ♂, Cap Bon Peninsula, 20 km from El Haouaria, 36°56.660'N, 10°53.321'E, alt. 30 m, broad leaf forest, sandy soil, under stones, 24.III.2008, N. Akkari, P. Stoev leg. (BIO); 8 ♂♂, 11 ♀♀, 1 subad. ♀, El Haouaria, the ancient Roman quarry and surroundings, 37°03.448'N, 10°59.869'E, alt. 51 m, slope facing the sea, under stones, 24.III.2008, P. Stoev, N. Akkari leg. (NMNHS); 1 ♂, 1 ♀, Cap Bon Peninsula, El Haouaria, coast, 37°03.448'N, 10°59.869'E, alt. 2 m, rocks, sand, 10-50 m from the water line, under stones, 25.III.2008, N. Akkari, P. Stoev leg. (NMNHS); 2 ♀♀, Cap Bon Peninsula, Kélibia, plage El Mansoura, 36°51.046'N, 11°07.343'E, alt. 5-10 m, approx. 100 m from the water line, Oleander , Mimosa , under stones and in leaf litter, 25.III.2008, P. Stoev, N. Akkari leg. (BIO); 1 ♀, Cap Bon Peninsula, Kélibia, the fort and surroundings, 36°50.337'N, 11°06.841'E, alt. 10-40 m, slope, Eucalyptus , Mimosa , shrubs, under stones, 25.III.2008, N. Akkari, P. Stoev leg. (NMNHS); 2 ♂♂, 2 ♀♀, Cap Bon Peninsula, 7 km from Menzel Bou Zelfa, 36°40.268'N, 10°40.677'E, alt. 236 m, Pinus , Quercus , shrubs, under stones, 25.III.2008, P. Stoev, N. Akkari leg. (BIO, NMNHS); 8 ♂♂, 2 ♀♀, Cap Bon Peninsula, El Haouaria, Roman cave, 1.IV.2007, K. Tajovský leg. (FMNH); 1 juv., Cap Bon Peninsula, Jebel Abderrahman, Olea europaea orchard, under stones, 12.XI.2006, N. Akkari leg. (FMNH); Zaghouan Governorate: 3 ♂♂, 2 ♀♀, Jebel el Fahs, 36°22.39'N, 09°53.41'E, alt. 172 m, under stones, 20.III.2006, N. Akkari leg. (FMNH); 1 ♀, Jebel el Fahs, 36°24.298'N, 10°09.057'E, alt. 166 m, suburbs, Olea europaea orchard, under stones, 25.II.2007, N. Akkari leg. (FMNH); 1 ♀, Jebel Zaghouan, under stones, 17.III.2007, N. Akkari leg. (FMNH); 1 ♂, 1 ♀, 2 subad. ♂, 1 subad. ♀, Jebel Zaghouan, surroundings of the marabout Sidi Bou Gabrine, 36°22.423'N, 10°06.328'E, alt. 642 m, meadows, scattered trees, under stones and in leaf litter, 17.III.2008, N. Akkari leg. (1♂, 1♀ - BIO; 2 subad. ♂♂, 1 subad. ♀ - NMNHS); 1 ♀, Jebel Zaghouan, surroundings of the marabout Sidi Bou Gabrine, 36°22.423'N, 10°06.328'E, alt. 642 m, meadows, scattered trees, under stones, 29.III.2008, P. Stoev, N. Akkari leg. (NMNHS); 1 ♀, Jebel Zaghouan, surroundings of the Gouffre du courant d’air (small limestone cave), 36°21.980'N, 10°05.513'E, alt. 561 m, Quercus ilex , Pistacia lentiscus , Jasminum fructicans , under stones and in leaf litter, 17.III.2008, N. Akkari, P. Stoev leg. (NMNHS); 5 ♂♂, 4 ♀♀, Jebel Zaghouan, collecting along the track between Gouffre Anti Prehistorique (36°21.595'N, 10°05.208'E) and Sidi Bou Gabrine (36°22.423'N, 10°06.328'E), 500-700 m, mixed forest, under stones and in leaf litter, 18.III.2008, N. Akkari, P. Stoev leg. (NMNHS); 2 ♂♂, Jebel Zaghouan, collecting along the track Sidi Bou Gabrine (36°22.423'N, 10°06.328'E) - Sidi Abdel kader Cave (36°22.419'N, 10°06.371'E) - Saida Mannoubia (36°22.650'N, 10°06.332'E) - the asphalt road to Zaghouan (36°22.924'N, 10°06.789'E), alt. 650-780 m, mixed forest, under stones and in leaf litter, 19.III.2008, P. Stoev, N. Akkari leg. (NMNHS); Le Kef Governorate: 4 ♂♂, 2 ♀♀, 1 juv., Tajerouine, Bou Yagoum dam, 35°53'N, 08°53'E, alt. 650-700 m, open dry habitat, under stones, 16.III.2005, N. Akkari leg. (FMNH); 1 ♂, 2 ♀♀, Ferme Shitta, Jebel Eddyr, about 6 km NNE from Le Kef, alt. about 1100 m, collected from sward, mosses, from below stones imbedded in grassy soil, in shaded sites between cliff walls, 28.III.1977, L. Gozmány, S. Mahunka leg. (HNHM); 3 ♂♂, 1 subad. ♂, 1 subad. ♀, 2 juv., Ferme Shitta, Jebel Eddyr, about 7 km NNE from Le Kef, alt. about 1100 m, collected from under rocks at feet of cliff walls, 26.III.1977, L. Gozmány, S. Mahunka leg. (HNHM); 3 ♂♂, 1 ♀, 1 subad. ♂, 1 subad. ♀, Nebeur, about 30 km N from Le Kef, collected on ground and under stones on steep banks and in riverbed, 30.III.1977, L. Gozmány, S. Mahunka leg. (HNHM); 2 subad. ♂♂, 2 juv., 1 larva, Dugga Archeological site, under stones, 30.X.2009, N. Akkari leg. (ZMUC); 1 ♂, South of Le Kef, a flat, immense, fungiform limestone hill, collected from crags, 27.III.1977, L. Gozmány, S. Mahunka leg. (HNHM); Siliana Governorate: 17 ♂♂, 7 ♀♀, 4 subad. ♀♀, Jebel Bargou, 5 km from Bargou (road Bargou - Ouslatia), 36°05.775'N, 09°37.347'E, alt. 571 m, Quercus , Olea , shrubs, under stones, 28.III.2008, N. Akkari, P. Stoev leg. (2 ♂♂, 2 ♀♀ - BIO; remaining in NMNHS); 4 ♂♂, 9 ♀♀, 1 subad. ♀, Jebel Bargou,50 km from Ouslatia (road Bargou - Ouslatia), 36°06.941'N, 09°39.392'E, alt. 512 m, sparse olive trees, rocks, under stones, 28.III.2008, P. Stoev, N. Akkari leg. (NMNHS); 1 ♂, Kesra, 36°51'N, 09°12'E, alt. 850-900 m, 12.V.2005, coniferous forest, under stones, N. Akkari leg. (FMNH); Kairouan Governorate: 1 subad. ♂, Sbikha village, under stones, 10.XII.2006, N. Akkari leg. (FMNH); 1 ♂, 3 ♀♀, same locality, under stones, 2.II.2007, N. Akkari leg. (FMNH); 1 ♂, 2 subad. ♀♀, 1 juv., 2 larvae, 6 km from Ouslatia, 35°51.785'N, 09°30.972'E, alt. 581 m, sparse olive trees, Roman ruins, bush, open area, stone debris, under stones, 6.III.2008, N. Akkari, P. Stoev leg. (NMNHS); 3 ♂♂, 1 ♀, Thuburbo Majus, open area with shrubs, 30.III.2007, K. Tajovský leg. (FMNH); Sousse Governorate: 3 ♂♂, Sidi Khalifa (67 km from Tunis), open area with scattered shrubs, 17.II.2004, N. Akkari leg. (NMNHS); 2 ♂♂, 2 ♀♀, 2 subad. ♀♀, Hergla, 35°59.735'N, 10°26.300'E, close to the asphalt road, under stones, 22.III.2005, N. Akkari leg. (FMNH); 2 ♂♂, Bou Ficha, Ken, 36°15.511'N, 10°26.617'E, alt. 15 m, close to a saline depression, under stones, 22.III.2005, N. Akkari leg. (FMNH); Monastir Governorate: 3 subad. ♂♂, 3 subad. ♀♀, Békalta, 35°37'N, 11 °00'E, alt. 16 m, sandy soil close to the asphalt road, under stones, 30.XI.2003, N. Akkari leg. (FMNH); Kasserine Governorate: 1 juv., Sbeitla, 30 km NW from Kasserine, inside the ruins of the ancient Roman town of Sifetoula, under stones, 7.III.2008, P. Stoev, N. Akkari leg. (NMNHS); 2 ♂♂, 1 ♀, Chambi National Park, surroundings of the park’s guest house, 35°10.139'N, 08°40.486'E, alt. 950 m, sparse trees, bush, Pinus halepensis , under stones, 7.III.2008, N. Akkari, P. Stoev leg. (NMNHS); 1 ♀, 1 subad. ♂, Chambi National Park, surroundings of the park’s guest house, 35°10.139'N, 08°40.486'E, alt. 950-1000 m, Pinus halepensis , Stipa tenacissima , Thuja , under stones, logs and leaf litter of Pinus halepensis , 8.III.2008, P. Stoev, N. Akkari leg. (NMNHS); 1 ♂, Chambi National Park, inside the park, 35°11.901'N, 08°39.505'E, alt. 1291 m, Pinus halepensis , Quercus ilex , Stipa tenacissima , slope, under stones and in leaf litter, 9.III.2008, P. Stoev, N. Akkari leg. (NMNHS); 1 ♂, 1 ♀, juv., Chambi National Park, Chambi peak and its surroundings, 35°12.285'N, 08°40.653'E, alt. 1500-1540 m, rocks, sparse Pinus trees, under stones, 8.III.2008, N. Akkari, P. Stoev leg. (NMNHS); 2 ♀♀, 5 subad. ♂♂, 1 subad. ♀, 1 juv.,Chambi National Park, inside the park, 35°11.935'N, 08°40.418'E, alt. 1468 m, Pinus halepensis , Quercus ilex , Stipa tenacissima , slope, under stones and in leaf litter, 9.III.2008, N. Akkari, P. Stoev leg. (NMNHS); 3 ♂♂, 1 ♀, subad. ♂, ♀, 6 juv., Chambi National Park, Chambi peak and its surroundings, 35°12.285'N, 08°40.653'E, alt. 1500-1540 m, Pinus halepensis , Quercus ilex , Stipa tenacissima , under stones and in leaf litter, 9.III.2008, P. Stoev, N. Akkari leg. (2 ♂♂, 2 juv. - BIO; 1 ♂, 1 ♀, subad. ♂, ♀, 4 juv. - NMNHS); Mahdia Governorate: 8 ♂♂, 9 ♀♀, 1 subad. ♀, 1 larva, Mahdia, touristic area, 35°32.796'N, 11°01.662'E, alt. 0 m, scattered palm trees and shrubs close to the road, polluted area not far from agricultural land, under stones, 16.III.2008, N. Akkari, P. Stoev leg. (NMNHS); 2 ♂♂, 2 ♀♀, 1 juv., surroundings of Ksour Essef (17 km from Mahdia), 35°24.824'N, 10°58.026'E, alt. 59 m, olive trees ( Olea europaea ), grass, stones and shrubs, under stones, 16.III.2008, N. Akkari, P. Stoev leg. (NMNHS); Sfax Governorate: 2 ♂♂, 1 ♀, Sfax, house’s garden, 23.III.2004, N. Akkari leg. (FMNH); Gafsa Governorate: 1 juv., 1 larva, Jebel Bou Ramli, 34°30.877'N, 08°39.731'E, alt. 512 m, deserted rocky plain at the foot of the mountain, scattered trees, Opuntia and palm trees, under stones, 10.III.2008, P. Stoev, N. Akkari leg. (NMNHS); Tozeur Governorate: 1 juv., Midès, 34°24.419'N, 07°54.896'E, alt. 376 m, dry rocky slope, under stones, 10.III.2008, N. Akkari, P. Stoev leg. (NMNHS); Gabès Governorate: 2 juv., Matmata, 33°32.450'N, 09°59.055'E, alt. 384 m, arid biotope, shrubs and stones, under stones, 13.III.2008, P. Stoev, N. Akkari leg. (NMNHS); Tataouine Governorate: 2 juv., surroundings of Tataouine City, 32°55.506'N, 10°26.913'E, alt. 293 m, arid biotope, slope, stones, scattered trees of Pinus (planted), under stones, 13.III.2008, P. Stoev, N. Akkari leg. (NMNHS); 1 larva? (damaged), Ksar Ouled Soltane, 32°47.281'N, 10°30.784'E, alt. 453 m, arid biotope, rocks, stones, close to the village, under stones, 14.III.2008, N. Akkari, P. Stoev leg. (NMNHS).

Description.

Length (from anterior margin of cephalic plate to posterior margin of telson) approx. 48 mm in largest specimens; cephalic plate slightly broader than long (Fig. 1a); head up to 2.7 mm long and up to 2.9 mm wide; leg 15 approx. 11.0 mm long, or approx. 27% length of body. Colour (after one and a half years in alcohol) uniformly light chestnut brown; legs and sternites yellow; only forcipular coxosternal teeth and posterior half of forcipular tarsungulum brown.

Cephalic plate finely punctate, with scattered minute setae, emerging from larger pits that form the punctae; slightly narrower than T1 (Fig. 1a); a median notch contributing to biconvex anterior margin; marginal ridge with a distinct median thickening occupying approx. 10-15% breadth of plate; posterior margin straight; transverse suture situated at about 1/3 of anterior edge; posterior limbs of transverse suture visible, connecting basal antennal article with anterior part of ocellararea. Ocelli: 1+3,4,4,1-1+3,4,4,2 pale, oval to elliptical, in 4 rows. Posterior (major) ocellus elliptical, much larger than seriate ocelli and situated well apart from them. Tömösváry’s organ very small (approx. 1/3 the size of adjacent seriate ocellus), circular, situated on faint sclerotisation lying close to anteriormost ocellus of third ocellar row (Fig. 1b).

Antennae moderately long, approx. 15 mm, reaching midline of T6 when folded backwards; approx. 37% length of body, composed of 43-44 articles; first three articles enlarged, with second being the largest (Fig. 1a); antenna gradually tapering towards the end; articles 5-20 broader than long, ultimate article of antenna about same length as penultimate or slightly longer (Fig. 1c). Basal two articles less setose than the others, which are densely covered with trichoid setae.

Clypeus (Fig. 1d) with a cluster of six medium-sized setae situated asymmetrically at the left half of its apex; central clypeal area smooth, without setae, basal part of clypeus with a single row of setae, lateral clypeal margins with very few dispersed setae.

Forcipule (Fig. 1f): coxosternite subhexagonal, lateral margins feebly convex; anterior margin set off as a rim by furrow that is impressed behind all teeth; coxosternal teeth 5+5, almost equal-sized; median diastema shallow, U-shaped; intradental distance varying, generally increasing towards lateral teeth; porodont arising from a small node at lateral coxosternal margin, situated below the dental rim, and well laterad from lateralmost tooth; base of porodont as thick as adjacent tooth; coxosternite smooth, with one or two rows of setae in close proximity to dental rim; dorsal side of coxosternite with sparse minute setae, the apices of which are not visible from the ventral side. Distal part of tarsungulum about 3-3.5 times longer than proximal part, devoid of setae. Forcipular trochanteroprefemur, femur and tibia fringed with few minute setae (Fig. 1f).

Tergites wrinkled (Fig. 1g); TT 11, 13 with well-developed posterior triangular projections, T9 without triangular projections, posterior angles right-angled; posterior margination poorly developed on all tergites, almost indistinguishable on some; T1 subtrapeziform, slightly wider than cephalic plate, almost as wide as T3. Posterior margin of T1 gently concave, those of TT 3, 5, 8, 10, 12, 14 moderately concave; on intermediate tergite deeply concave; posterior angles of TT 1-6, 8, 10 rounded; those of TT 7, 12, 14 right-angled; tergal setae tiny, almost indistinguishable, in general concentrated on the edges of tergites.

Sternites 1-14 elongated, subtrapeziform, finely punctate, with very few sparse setae, posterior margin convex (Fig. 1h); sternite 15 subrectangular, smooth and more densely setose, especially at posterior margin.

Legs: all legs moderately long (Fig. 1e); leg-pairs 13-15 longer than 1-12; leg 15 longest of all; maximal length of podomeres: coxa 1.2 mm, prefemur 2 mm, femur 1.8 mm, tibia 2.2 mm, tarsus 1 2.2 mm, tarsus 2 1.2 mm, pretarsus 0.3 mm. Tarsus 1 and tarsus 2 of legs 1-13 with two rows of ventral and two rows of lateral (on each side) serial setae (Fig. 1e); serial setae concentrated only on tarsus 2 of leg 14, absent on leg 15 (Fig. 1i). Pretarsus of legs 1-14 with a large principal claw and two smaller and thinner accessory ones emerging dorsally and basally from the principal claw; both accessory claws approx. 1/4-1/5 the length of principal claw, basal one generally smaller and thinner. Pretarsus of leg 15 with a large principal claw only (Fig. 1i). Leg 15 in males with secondary sexual modifications: prefemur moderately enlarged with two paramedian sulci not extending to distal end; distal part of prefemur swollen dorso-medially; inner side of prefemur more densely setose than the outer one (Fig. 2a). Male leg 14 with similar modifications but less pronounced. Spinulation: as in Table 1.

Coxal pores: small, circular, more concentrated on the outer part of pore-field, forming 3-4 irregular rows; only 2-3 pores from the internal row on each coxa larger; around 25-30 on legs 12-14 and about 17 pores on leg 15; pores of inner rows often separated by more than twice their own diameter, those of outermost row usually separated by less than their own diameter (Fig. 2b).

Male first genital sternite with emarginated posterior margin (Fig. 2b), posterior angles broadly rounded, sternal surface densely covered with numerous long brownish setae; gonopod hidden behind the edge of first genital sternite; small, basal part larger covered with six setae, apical part with 2 setae.

Female gonopods with 2+2 moderately long, apically pointed spurs and a simple, falcate claw (Fig. 2c). First article with approx. 14 setae concentrated on small protuberance at its posterior part; posterior half of second article with approx. 20 dorsal and dorso-lateral setae of various sizes; gonopodial claw with 5 moderately long lateral setae.

Post-embryonic development.

Meinert (1872) described immature stadia of Eupolybothrus nudicornis (sub Lithobius impressus ), based on his study of specimens from Algeria, Granada (Spain) and Ischia (Italy). He recognized four classes:

- “Pullus” with 10 pairs of legs + 2 incompletely developed pairs (= LIII)

- “Pullus” with 12 pairs of legs + 3 incompletely developed pairs (= LIV)

- “Juvenis” (smaller PL)

- “Junior” (larger PL)

His information is summarized in Table 2. No information on the number of specimens in each group is available. Meinert’s data agree well with our own observations, except for the higher number of forcipular coxosternal teeth in the larval stadia.

Daas et al. (1996) studied post-embryonic development of Eupolybothrus nudicornis (sub Eupolybothrus elongatus Newport) in Algeria. The data from their table 2 are given here as Table 3. The first larval stadia were reared from eggs, whereas the older stadia were obtained from field-collected animals. By comparison to developmental series of other lithobiids, the numbers of legs given for LIII and LIV are anomalous (cf. Murakami 1958, Andersson 1981).

Further data on the post-embryonic development based on Tunisian specimens of Eupolybothrus nudicornis are provided by Silvestri ( 1896: 149, sub Lithobius elongatus ) but they mostly refer to grown individuals and say nothing about the larval and earlier post-larval stadia (see Table 4).

In Table 4 we provide the character states for the different larval and postlarval stadia obtained from part of the studied material. The definition of postlarval stadia follows Daas et al. (1996) and is based on the length of respective specimen.

Distribution in Tunisia (Map 1).

Eupolybothrus nudicornis is widespread in the Humid, Subhumid, Semiarid and Arid bioclimatic zones, according to the bioclimatic division of Tunisia of Emberger (1966). The species occurs in the northwestern mountains of Kroumirie and Mogods ( Aïn Draham, Béni Mtir, Hamman Bourguiba, Béja) where it interconnects with the populations in northern Algeria (La Calle, Constantine, Annaba, Skikda, Alger and Djurdjura Mts.). In the North it is known also from the coast (Bizerte, Ghar El Melh), from the plain of Mateur (Ichkeul National Park) and along the Gulf of Tunis (Nahli Park, Sidi Thabet, Tunis, Carthage). In the Cap Bon Peninsula the species is quite common along the coast (Nabeul, Oued el Abid, Sidi Erraiès, Kélibia, Dar Chichou, El Haouaria) but is also found inland, in Jebel Abderrahman. In Central Tunisia it occurs from the High Tell in the West (Le Kef, Tajerouine, Dugga, Nebeur), virtually from the whole Dorsale Ridge which stretches from Chambi and Kesra in the West to Jebel Bargou, Jebel el Fahs and Jebel Zaghouan in the East and further South from the plain of Kairouan (Sbikha, Thuburbo Majus) to the eastern coast in the so called Sahel (Sousse, Hergla, Békalta, Mahdia). In the South, the species was recorded from the mountains of Gafsa (Jebel Bou Ramli), the western Saharian platform ( Midès) and from the Dahar Mts further east. It has been found as far south as Matmata and Tataouine.

Altitudinal range in Tunisia.

Known from sea level up to approx. 1500 m. In Italy Eupolybothrus nudicornis has been recorded up to 2500 m altitude ( Zapparoli 2006).

Chorotype.

W-Mediterranean, according to the chorotype classification of the W-Palearctic fauna proposed by Vigna Taglianti et al. ( 1993, 1999).