Scolopendropsis Brandt, 1841

Schileyko, Arkady A., Vahtera, Varpu & Edgecombe, Gregory D., 2020, An overview of the extant genera and subgenera of the order Scolopendromorpha (Chilopoda): a new identification key and updated diagnoses, Zootaxa 4825 (1), pp. 1-64 : 38-40

(!) Scolopendropsis Brandt, 1841

Figs 42–47

Synonyms. Rhoda Meinert, 1886: 188 syn. nov.

Type species. Scolopendra bahiensis Brandt, 1841 (by original designation).

Diagnosis. Cephalic plate considerably narrower than tergite 1 ( Fig. 45 ), with incomplete (but well-developed) posterior median suture extending for 1/2–3/4 of its length ( Fig. 46 , fig. 2 in Schileyko 2006), its posterior margin clearly overlapped by tergite 1. Forcipular tooth-plates well-developed ( Fig. 42 ), from visibly shorter to longer than trochantero-prefemoral process. Anterior part of pleuron includes a set of longitudinal pleurites coaxial with body axis (fig. 4 in Schileyko 2006); longitudinal pleurites are numerous and so closely stacked to each other that the intersclerite membrane (= membranous part of pleura) is inconspicuous between them (fig. 12 in Chagas-Jr et al. 2008). Spiracles open laterally, edges of peritrema not curved. Number of LBS either fixed as 21 or variable within a species, when variable either 21–23 (in Scolopendropsis bahiensis ) or 39–43 (in S. duplicata Chagas-Jr, Edgecombe & Minelli, 2008). Leg with tarsus 2 approximately twice as long as tarsus 1 ( Fig. 42 ), both tarsal spur and pretarsal accessory spines well-developed; tarsal spurs absent in Rhoda thayeri (= Scolopendropsis thayeri (Meinert, 1886) syn. nov.; see below). Pretarsi with abrupt transition from a pale-coloured proximal third to a strongly pigmented distal two-thirds, the latter has a concave ventral surface bounded laterally by sharp marginal ridges. Ultimate segment ( Figs 47 ) considerably (sometimes nearly twice) longer than penultimate ( Fig. 45 ). Coxopleuron lacking processes, with a spine in its place ( Fig. 43 ); ultimate sternite with well-developed median longitudinal sulcus/depression. Ultimate legs truly “pincer-shaped” ( Figs 45, 47 ), prefemur with spines; pretarsus elongated (but no longer than ultimate tarsus 2) and falcate, lacking accessory spines.

Number of species. 5.

Sexual dimorphism. Unknown.

Remarks. Treated as a genus (“ Scolopendropsis incl. Rhoda ”) in Edgecombe & Bonato (2011: 399). The most recent morphological accounts on this genus are those by Schileyko (2006) and Chagas-Jr et al. (2008).

Schileyko (2006: 15) noted that such an unusual structure/composition of the pleuron (see above) is “unique among Scolopendromorpha ”; in fact the similar morphology is also observed (at least) in Cormocephalus mediosulcatus Attems, 1928 (see Chagas-Jr et al. 2008: 37) and in Scolopendra afer (Meinert, 1886) . Schileyko (2009: 519) stated that the elongation of the ultimate LBS always correlates with the ‘pincer’-shaped ultimate legs ( Fig. 45 ) and “Such an enlargement may be due to the presence of enlarged muscles, which are necessary to manipulate these appendages”. It should be noted also that such a structure (with their ventral surface concave) of pretarsi of locomotory legs is very unusual among scolopendromorphs, which normally have these pretarsi round/oval in cross-section.

Schileyko (2006) analyzed in details the closest similarity of Scolopendropsis and Rhoda based on several unique synapomorphies, but kept the latter as an independent genus for “formal reasons alone” ( Schileyko 2006: 16). Subsequent studies of this monophyletic group have confirmed the closest relations between Scolopendropsis and Rhoda (Chagas-Jr et al. 2008), and no diagnostic characters serve to separate them. Taking in consideration these facts we consider Rhoda Meinert, 1886 to be a junior synonym of Scolopendropsis Brandt, 1841 syn. nov.

Figures

FIGURES 40–47. Tonkinodentus lestes Schileyko, 1992; Holotype adt Rc 6358 40 forcipular segment ventrally; Sad. Rc 6555 41 ultimate LBS, legs 20 + ultimate legs dorso-laterally; Scolopendropsis duplicata Chagas-Jr, Edgecombe & Minelli, 2008; Paratype IBSP 2392 or MNRJ 15306 (photo by Dr. Amazonas Chagas-Jr) 42 head, forcipular segment + LBS 1–3 ventrally; Holotype MNRJ 15258 43 ultimate LBS ventrally; Paratype IBSP 2392 or MNRJ 15306 (photo by Dr. Amazonas Chagas-Jr) 44 posterior half of ultimate LBS + ultimate legs ventrally; Scolopendropsis bahiensis Brandt, 1841; Live specimen (photo by Dr. Adriano Kury) 45 general view dorsally; Scolopendropsis duplicata Chagas-Jr, Edgecombe & Minelli, 2008 (photos by Dr. Amazonas Chagas-Jr); Paratype IBSP 2392 or MNRJ 15306 46 head + LBS 1 dorsally 47 ultimate LBS + ultimate legs dorsally; (20)—leg 20, (cx)—coxopleuron, (cst)—forcipular coxosternite, (dv)—distoventrolateral process of femur, (lsc)—sternal median longitudinal sulcus, (sl)—cephalic median longitudinal suture, (pf)—ultimate prefemur, (pr)—trochantero-prefemoral process, (sc)—spine at place of coxopleural process, (su)—spines of ultimate prefemur, (T1)—tergite 1, (t1)—tarsus 1, (t2)— tarsus 2, (ti)—tibia, (tp)—forcipular tooth-plate, (ust)—ultimate sternite, (ut)—ultimate tergite.