Megaphyllum glossulifer (Schubart, 1934)

Lazányi, Eszter & Vagalinski, Boyan, 2013, Redefinition of the millipede subgenus Megaphyllum sensu stricto Verhoeff, 1894 and neotype designation for Megaphyllum austriacum (Latzel, 1884) (Myriapoda: Diplopoda: Julida: Julidae), Zootaxa 3741 (1), pp. 55-100 : 73-74

Megaphyllum glossulifer (Schubart, 1934)

Figs 10a–g

Chromatoiulus glossulifer Schubart, 1934 : Schubart 1934b: 45–46, Fig. 11 . Chromatoiulus (Phauloiulus) glossulifer: Attems 1940: 307 .

Chromatoiulus glossulifer: Strasser 1966b: 330 , 381.

Megaphyllum glossulifer: Enghoff & Kime 2009 ; Lazányi et al. 2012: 13, 41.

Distribution. Bulgaria (Vagalinski & Stoev 2007, Lazányi et al. 2012).

Diagnosis. Differs from other members of the species group by the wider, stouter posterior opisthomere process (pp) ( Figs 10a–b, 10d ) compared to its generally slender, elongated condition in the remaining species.

Opisthomere’s ( Figs 10a–b, 10d ) posterior process (pp) broad, gradually narrowing, with a pointed tip, subequal to solenomere’s posterior process (psp). Anterior solenomere process (asp) very short.

Body length and height: males: 19–24mm, 1.4–1.85mm; females: 25–27mm, 2.2–2.4mm.

Remarks. This seems to be the smallest species of the subgenus, challenged only by M. sjaelandicum , for which similar though somewhat smaller values were measured. It is endemic to Bulgaria known only from the highest regions of Rila, Stara Planina and the Rhodope Mountains (Lazányi et al. 2012). Individuals collected from these three mountains showed no significant differences in their external morphometry and gonopodal details. The species is most similar to M. dentatum , considering the shape of the opisthomere. In M. glossulifer , however, the posterior opisthomere process is stouter, and the posterior solenomere process is shorter; the promere in contrast to M. dentatum is plain—rounded—, distally gradually narrowing, and without apical protrusions (see Fig. 10c in comparison with Fig. 9c ).

Figures

FIGURES 10 a – g. Megaphyllum glossulifer males and a female from Rhodopi Mts, Bulgaria: (10 a) gonopods, posterior view; (10 b) left gonopods, mesal view; (10 c) left promere, meso-posterior view; (10 d) left opisthomere, lateral view; penis, (10 e) posterior and (10 f) left lateral views; (10 g) left vulva, meso-posterior view (setae omitted). Abbreviations: asp: anterior process of the solenomere, ca: central ampulla, ct: connecting tube; pa: posterior ampulla, pp: posterior process, psp: posterior process of the solenomere, P: promere. Scale bars: 0.2 mm.

FIGURES 11 a – g. Megaphyllum monticola. Males from Korakas Mts, Greece, ZMB 1300: (11 a) gonopods, posterior view and (11 b) right gonopods, mesal view and (11 c) left promere, meso-posterior view. Males from Ostrovo, Greece, Inv. No. 8019: (11 d) Right opisthomere, lateral view, penis, (11 e) posterior and (11 f) right lateral views, (11 f *) another, bent penis, left lateral view. (11 g) Left vulva, posterior view, female from Korakas Mts, Greece (setae omitted). Abbreviations: asp: anterior process of the solenomere, ca: central ampulla, ct: connecting tube; op: operculum, pa: posterior ampulla, ph: posterior hump, pp: posterior process, psp: posterior process of the solenomere, P: promere. Scale bars: 0.2 mm.

FIGURES 9 a – g. Megaphyllum dentatum males and a female from Ljuboten, Serbia, Inv. No. 8018: (9 a) gonopods, posterior view; (9 b) right gonopods, mesal view; (9 c) right promere, meso-posterior view; (9 d) right opisthomere, lateral view; penis, (9 e) posterior and (9 f) left lateral views; (9 g) right vulva, anterior view (setae omitted). Abbreviations: asp: anterior process of the solenomere, ca: central ampulla, ct: connecting tube; pa: posterior ampulla, ph: posterior hump, pp: posterior process, pr: protrusion, psp: posterior process of the solenomere, sl: serrated lobe, P: promere. Scale bars: 0.2 mm.