Newportia longitarsis stechowi Verhoeff, 1938

Schileyko, Arkady A., 2014, A contribution to the centipede fauna of Venezuela (Chilopoda: Scolopendromorpha), Zootaxa 3821 (1), pp. 151-192 : 162-168

Newportia longitarsis stechowi Verhoeff, 1938

Figs 12 , 19–31

Newportia longitarsis stechowi: Schileyko & Minelli, 1998: 279 ; Newportia longitarsis stechowi: Schileyko, 2013: 49 .

Locus typicus: Venezuela, Capital District, environs Caracas, Maracay.

Material. Aragua State, Parco Henri Pittier, leg MGP: 1 [large] ad, [loc.3], N 13, Portachuelo, BR, 1250, selva nublada, 0 2.1987, N 7250; 1 sad, [loc.3], N 15, Portachuelo, 1250, selva nublada, TF, soil, 0 2.1987, N 7255; 1 ad + 1 sad, [loc.3], N 15, Portachuelo, BR, 1250’, selva nublada, 0 2.1987, N 7251; 1 ad, [loc.3], N 14[?], Portachuelo, 54[?], rotted wood on top soil, 1250’, soil, 17, 29.12.1985, N 7249; 1 juv, [loc.3], 54.1, Portachuelo, wood branches recently dropped, 1250, soil (h 14), 17, 29.12.1985, N 7254; 1 ad, [loc.4], N 43, La Cumbre, 1500, selva nublada, BR, 0 2.1987, N 7252; 1 ad + 1 juv, [loc.4], N 45, La Cumbre, 1500, selva nublada, BR, 0 2.1987, N 7253; Aragua State, [loc.2], Parco Henri Pittier, Pico Rancho Grande, leg MGP: 1 juv, Bds, lett.[?] 16.08.1980, N 7266; 1 juv, Bds, N 46, [?]i alh[?]i, 27.12.1988, N 7303; 1 [largest] ad + 1 sad + 5 juv [tarsus 2 of 10 articles], Bds, 29.08.1980, N 7258; 1 juv, Bds, [Pico?], humus, 18.08.1980, N 7264; 1 juv, N 0 1, 1200, selva nublada, BR, 0 2.1987, N 7262; 1 ad, N 4, 1200, selva nublada, BR, 0 2.1987, N 7260; 1 juv, N 0 6, 1200, selva nublada, 0 2.1987, N 7268; 1 ad, N 9, 1200, selva nublada, BR, 0 2.1987, N 7257; 1 sad, N 0 9, 1200, selva nublada, TF, soil, 0 2.1987, N 7261; 1 ad, 1200, selva nublada, BR, 0 2.1987, N 7267; 1 ad, muro - sott(o) muschio[?], 29.08.1980, N 7256; 1 juv, N 44.1, 1450, hand dissecting Bromeliacae, 27.12.1985, N 7263; 1 ad, N 5, selva nublada, 1200 m, 0 2.1987, N 7080; 1 juv, [Pico?], ayrantiira[?], lettiera, 18.08.1980, N 7265; 1 sad, 43 terra, Bds, 27.12.1985, N 7259. Miranda State, [loc.9], N 27, Guatopo, La Macanilla, 700, bosque humedo tropical, BR, soil, 1 sad + 1 juv, 0 2.1987, leg MGP, N 7302. Trujillo State, Boconó, Ande, leg MGP: 3 ad + 1 juv, [loc.18], N 54, Guaramacal, 3000, Paramo, ESP, 0 2.1987, N 7296; 3 ad + 1 juv, [loc.18], N 56, Guaramacal, 3000, Paramo, ESP Morc. [ Espeletia moritziana ?], 0 2.1987, N 7299; 2 ad, [loc.18], N 57, Guaramacal, 3000, Paramo, 0 2.1987, N 7295; 2 ad, [loc.18], N 66, Guaramacal, 2890, Subparamo, BR, 0 2.1987, N 7294; 1 sad, [loc.18], N 77, Guaramacal, 2500, bosque humedo montano, BR in(?), 0 2.1987, N 7290; 2 sad + 3 juv, [loc.18], N 78, Guaramacal, 2500, bosque humedo montano, BR, 0 2.1987, N 7291; 1 juv, [loc.19], N 79, La Cristalina, 2500, Subparamo, BR in, 0 2.1987, N 7292; 1 sad, [loc.19], N 84, La Cristalina, 2500, Subparamo, litter and under stones, 0 2.1987, N 7301; 2 ad + 2 sad + 2 juv, [loc.19], N 85, La Cristalina, 2500, Subparamo, rotten wood, 0 2.1987, N 7293; 1 sad, [loc.18], N 81, Guaramacal, 2500, Subparamo, BR, 0 2.1987, N 7298; 2 ad, [loc.17], N 87, Guaramacal, La Laguna, 2000, bosque humedo montano, stones + logs, 0 2.1987, N 7297; 1 juv, [loc.17], N 93, Guaramacal, La Laguna, 2000, bosque humedo montano, litter on soil, 0 2.1987, N 7289; 1 ad, [loc.17], N 96, Guaramacal, La Laguna, 2000, bosque humedo montano, BR, 0 2.1987, N 7288; 3 ad + 1 sad, [loc.17], N 97, Guaramacal, La Laguna, 2000, bosque humedo montano, BR in, 0 2.1987, N 7300. Federal State [=Capital District, El Ávila National Park], Monte Avila, leg MGP: 2 ad, [loc.16], 39, Caracas, top soil litter by hands, m 950, litter, Bds, 24.12.85, N 7305; 1 ad, [loc.15], Bds, M. Avila cima [=top], 24.08.1980, N 7304. 71 specimens in all.

Additional material. Dominican Republic, Prov. La Vega, 1 sad, N 6759.

Description of adult N 7300. Length of body ca 35 mm (maximal length for this subspecies to 60 mm). Color in ethanol: entire animal uniformly light-yellow with cephalic plate and forcipular segment somewhat darker.

Antennae: very short, reaching the middle of tergite 2 when reflexed. 4(5) basal articles with very few long setae, subsequent articles densely pilose. Basal articles cylindrical.

Cephalic plate with posterior corners rounded ( Fig. 19 ), its posterior margin with very short paramedian sutures.

Forcipular segment: coxosternite without any visible sutures but short chitin-lines ( Fig. 20 ); its anterior margin is slightly convex and divided by median diastema into two sclerotized, low convex lobes ( Fig. 20 ). Each lobe is with a very small lateral tubercle and one long seta. Trochanteroprefemur without process. Tarsungula normal, their interior surface with three parallel longitudinal ridges, which are less developed than in specimens of Venezuelan Scolopocryptops studied.

Tergites: anterior margin of tergite 1 covered by the cephalic plate. This tergite with curved anterior transverse suture and incomplete paramedian sutures stretching from the transverse suture to the posterior margin of this tergite ( Fig. 19 ); these sutures somewhat diverging anteriorly. Tergite 2 very short, i.e. as long as 1/3 of tergite 3. Tergite 3 with thin oblique sutures. Tergites 2–22 with complete paramedian sutures and lateral longitudinal sutures; tergite 23 lacks sutures. Tergites 3–21 with well-developed median keel; tergites 1–22 with very weak margination, only tergite 23 distinctly marginate. Tergite 23 ( Fig. 21 ) slightly wider than long, somewhat narrowed towards the posterior margin which varies from very slightly concave to practically straight; its sides curved. Pretergites hidden.

Sternites trapeziform the shape is better seen in anterior segments. Sternites 2(3)–21 with incomplete lateral sutures ( Fig. 22 ), which are much better developed in midbody segments. Sternites 2(3)–21 with shallow median sulcus; in some sternites very weak incomplete transverse sulcus may be present between the coxae. Ultimate sternite ( Fig. 23 ) practically as long as wide and narrowed towards concave posterior margin. Endosternites welldeveloped at sternites 2–20.

Legs: with a few short setae. Legs 1–22 with lateral tibial spur, tarsal spurs absent. Legs 1–22 with undivided tarsus ( Fig. 22 ) and two small accessory spines. Pretarsi short and pointed.

Coxopleuron ( Fig. 23 ) (excluding coxopleural process) much longer than sternite 23, conical coxopleural process long and thin. Coxopleuron with coxal pores of various size, more scattered in posterior half; coxopleural process and an elongated area bordering coxopleuron medially poreless. Coxopleural surface without setae. Posterior margin of ultimate pleuron forming an obtuse angle, its tip slightly elongated producing a small process ( Fig. 23 ).

Ultimate legs ( Fig. 24 ): relatively short, 9–10 mm long, width of prefemur ca 0.5 mm and covered with minute setae—less dense on tibia and more dense on tarsus. Prefemur triangular in cross-section, with a row of 4 ventral, apically curved spinous processes ( Fig. 23 ); the most proximal process much smaller than the 3 others. Femur cylindrical, with 2 small spinous processes medially—one close to its base and another at mid length ( Fig. 21 ). Cylindrical tibia practically as long as prefemur or femur. Tarsus 1 somewhat thicker and half as long as tarsus 2 ( Fig. 24 ), which consists of 8 distinct articles. Tarsus 1 cylindrical and as long as 1/2 of tibia or 3 basal articles of tarsus 2.

Complementary description of two adults (N 7305) differing from N 7300 in the following details.

Length of body ca 33 and ca 31 mm.

Antennae: short, reaching the middle of tergite 3 when reflexed. 1–2 basal articles with a few long setae, remaining articles densely pilose—the density increasing between articles 3 and 6.

Cephalic plate without any traces of paramedian sutures.

Forcipules: sclerotized anterior margin of coxosternite forms practically straight line ( Fig. 25 ); minute lateral tubercle present at each side of coxosternite.

Tergites: tergite I with a curved anterior transverse suture and a small shallow depression just behind its middle. This depression meets the anterior ends of short (ca 1/3 length of this tergite) parallel paramedian sutures. Tergites 2–22 with complete paramedian sutures, tergites 3–20(21) with lateral longitudinal sutures (which are longer on posterior tergites). Tergites 6(7)–21 with median keel. Only tergite 23 has well-developed margination; its posterior margin slightly convex. Pretergites present on tergites 3–22.

Sternites 1–20 with incomplete but well-developed lateral sutures (not longer than ½ of sternal length). Endosternites well-developed at sternites 1–20.

Legs: prefemur, femur and tibia with a few short setae, tarsus more setose. Accessory spines of legs 1–22 rudimentary.

Coxopleuron (excluding coxopleural process) longer than sternite 23, conical coxopleural process ( Fig. 26 ) long (much wider at base than in N 7300). Coxopleuron with numerous coxal pores of various size—only posterior half of coxopleural process and wide elongated area bordering coxopleuron medially poreless. Posterior margin of ultimate pleuron forming a rectangle, its tip a small process.

Ultimate legs: both specimens have apical part of tarsus 2 missing (no more than 7 articles remain) except one leg of larger specimen which is not normally developed (see below). Prefemur with a row of four ventral spinous processes except for right prefemur of larger specimen, which abnormally has three ( Fig. 26 ). Tarsus consists of distinct (except left leg of larger specimen; see below) cylindrical articles.

Variation. Adult specimen of N 7251 has anterior transverse suture of tergite 1 not curved but obtusely angled.

Length of antenna varies from very short (reaching the middle of tergite 2 when reflexed in N 7300) to short (reaching the posterior margin of tergite 3 in N 7304).

Investigation of 30 specimens of N. longitarsis stechowi from 9 Venezuelan localities ( Schileyko & Minelli, 1998: 283) demonstrated very wide variability in the length of paramedian sutures on tergite 1. The length of these sutures in recently studied material varies from half-complete to extremely short (practically absent). For example, both large adults of N 7297 have very short sutures. Very rarely the posterior ends of one or both paramedian sutures of tergite 1 are bifurcate. In the largest (ca 58 mm) specimens (N 7258) the paramedian sutures of tergite 1 are half-complete, shortly branching just behind the anterior transverse suture. Posterior margin of cephalic plate in this specimen is covered by tergite 1 with very short posterior paramedian sutures. In these aspects this specimen is similar to N. adisi Schileyko & Minelli, 1998 (see fig. 17 in Schileyko, 2013), from which it is readily distinguishable by shape of the forcipular tooth-plates and absence of sutures on the forcipular coxosternite.

There is variability in the structure of the ultimate legs: in adult specimens they are much more slender than in juveniles. In a few representatives of this subspecies (for example N 7305, see above) the tibia and tarsus of ultimate legs are quite densely covered with short setae. Adult specimen N 7304 has the coxopleura ( Fig. 28 ), legs of posterior segments and ultimate legs ( Fig. 29 ) densely covered by long setae; a few posterior tergites in this specimen are setose as well.

Sometimes the ventral spinous processes of prefemur of ultimate legs are much larger than usual ( Fig. 30 ). The number of these processes is rarely less than 4—for example, both specimens of N 7294 have right prefemur with 3 (i.e. as in N. l. guadeloupensis ) and left prefemur with 4 unusually large ventral spinous processes. In one of these specimens two processes of right prefemur have a common base ( Fig. 31 ) and in another specimen tarsus 2 consists of 5 articles (result of regeneration?). Of four specimens of N 7296 one juvenile and one subadult have 4+4 prefemoral spinous processes, the second subadult has 3+4 and the third subadult has 3+3 ones.

Normally developed tarsus 2 of ultimate legs in N. l. stechowi consists of 7–10 articles, much more rarely of 6 articles (four specimens, N 7296). Interestingly, enlargement of prefemoral spinous processes correlates with a lower (6–7) number of articles of tarsus 2. One of two specimens of N 7297 has tarsus 2 consisting of 4 articles (seems to be a result of regeneration), of which the apical article is unusually long. The left ultimate leg of the larger specimen of 7305 has a rare peculiarity—its tarsus 2 is indistinctly divided ( Fig. 27 ) as in the Scolopendrides -group of species (see also Schileyko, 2013: 7). However, this leg evidently is a result of regeneration being considerably shorter and thinner than the normally developed right one.

Range. Grenada. Colombia: Bogota; Camelia; Cruz Verde; Tambo; Cafetal Camelia; Cali.

In Venezuela. Capital District, Municipio Libertador, “Maracay env. Caracas”; El Ávila National Park, Pico El Ávila. Aragua State, Rancho Grande. Mérida State: Municipio Libertador, Sierra de La Culata, Páramo El Escorial; Municipio Santos Marquina, Sierra Nevada National Park, La Mucuy Alta. Trujillo State, Municipio Boconó, Guaramacal National Park, Laguna de Los Cedros. Mérida State: Paramo de Piedra Blanca; laguna de Mucuboje; Pico del Aguile. [? State], Cueva Casas de Piedra.

Figures

FIGURES 10 – 13. Scolopocryptops guacharensis Manfredi, 1957 (adult N 7167) 10 leg of midbody segment, lateral view 11 leg 22, lateral view; Newportia longitarsis stechowi Verhoeff, 1938 12 adult N 7304: harpoon-like tip of spinous process of prefemur of ultimate leg, lateral view; Newportia ernsti ernsti Pocock, 1891 13 adult N 7079: cephalic plate and segment 1, dorsal view; (utl) — undivided tarsus of leg, (t) — tibia of leg, (vsp) — ventral spinous process of ultimate prefemur, (ht) — harpoon-like tip of spinous process, (ats) — anterior transverse suture.

FIGURES 19 – 22. Newportia longitarsis stechowi Verhoeff, 1938 (adult N 7300) 19 cephalic plate and segment 1, dorsal view 20 forcipular segment and segments 1 – 2, ventral view 21 segments 22 – 23, prefemora and femora of ultimate legs, dorsal view 22 segments of anterior body half, ventral view; (ats) — anterior transverse suture, (chl) — chitin-lines, (utg) — tergite of ultimate leg-bearing segment, (sls) — sternal lateral sutures, (smsl) — sternal median sulcus, (spf) — spinous processes of ultimate femur.

FIGURES 23 – 25. Newportia longitarsis stechowi Verhoeff, 1938 23 adult N 7300: segment 23 and prefemora of ultimate legs, ventro-lateral view 24 adult N 7300: ultimate legs, ventro-lateral view 25 larger adult N 7305: head and forcipular segment, ventral view; (cx) — coxopleuron, (pm) — posterior margin of pleuron of segment 23, (ust) — sternite of ultimate leg-bearing segment, (vsp) — ventral spinous processes of ultimate prefemur, (spf) — spinous processes of ultimate femur, (ut 1) — tarsus 1 of ultimate leg, (ut 2) — tarsus 2 of ultimate leg, (ptm 2) — telopodite of second maxilla, (am) — anterior margin of forcipular coxosternite.

FIGURES 26 – 29. Newportia longitarsis stechowi Verhoeff, 1938 26 larger adult N 7305: segment 23 and prefemora and femora of ultimate legs, ventral view 27 larger adult N 7305: tarsus of left ultimate leg 28 adult N 7304: segments 22 – 23, ventro-lateral view 29 adult N 7304: prefemur + tarsus of left ultimate leg, ventral view; (ust) — sternite of ultimate leg-bearing segment, (cx) — coxopleuron, (cxp) — coxopleural process, (vsp) — ventral spinous processes of ultimate prefemur, (spf) — spinous processes of ultimate femur, (ut 1) — tarsus 1 of ultimate leg, (ut 2) — tarsus 2 of ultimate leg, (up) — prefemur of ultimate legs.

FIGURES 30 – 34. Newportia longitarsis stechowi Verhoeff, 1938 30 the first adult of N 7294: segment 23, prefemora and femora of ultimate legs, lateral view 31 the second adult of N 7294: prefemur of right ultimate leg, lateral view; Newportia longitarsis guadeloupensis Demange, 1981 (juvenile N 7279) 32 cephalic plate and segments 1 – 3, dorsal view 33 forcipular segment, ventral view 34 left ultimate leg, lateral view; (vsp) — ventral spinous processes of ultimate prefemur, (ut 1) — tarsus 1 of ultimate leg, (ut 2) — tarsus 2 of ultimate leg, (am) — anterior margin of forcipular coxosternite, (cx) — coxopleuron, (tg 1) — tergite 1.