Callistocilla dolorotrix Hoffman, 2005

Figs 1, 2F, 18–19, 20A–B

Callistocilla dolorotrix Hoffman, 2005: 52

Diagnosis

Differing from congeners by the presence of ozopores on body rings 5, 7, 9–10, 12–13 and 15–19, i.e., the by far commonest ‘pore formula’ in Polydesmida (vs ozopores absent in congeners), as well as by the spatulate shape of the gonopodal prefemoral process and the reflexed distal part of the parasolenomere (vs prefemoral process differently shaped and parasolenomere not reflexed in congeners).

Material examined (total 12 ♂♂, 9 ♀♀, 2 juv.)

TANZANIA – Morogoro Region, Kilombero District, Udzungwa Mountains National Park • 1 ♀; Njokamoni; 7°50′31.9″ S, 36°52′471″ E; 401 m a.s.l.; 21 Dec. 2021; A. Ngute, R. Malanda, W. Mhagawale and A. Marshall leg.; FoRCE Plot 11, closed canopy; COLL. NHMD - ACC.NO. 2022- EN-003; NHMD 1184735 • 1 ♂, 1 ♀; Sanje; 7°46′43.4″ S, 36°54′04.3″ E; 504 m a.s.l.; 26 Feb. 2022; A. Ngute, E. Kivambe, R. Malanda, H. Mnendendo, W. Mhagawale, M. Mpoto and A. Marshall leg.; FoRCE Plot 24, open canopy; COLL. NHMD - ACC.NO. 2022-EN-003; NHMD 1184736 • 3 ♂♂, 1 ♀; same data as for preceding; 7°46′47.6″ S, 36°54′07.6″ E; 495 m a.s.l.; 23 Feb. 2022; FoRCE Plot 25, open canopy; NHMD 1184737 • 2 ♀♀; same data as for preceding; 7°46′52.1″ S, 36°54′11.8″ E; 421 m a.s.l.; 20 Feb. 2022; A. Ngute, E. Kivambe, R. Malanda, W. Mhagawale, H. Mnendendo and A. Marshall leg.; FoRCE Plot 92, open canopy; NHMD 1184738 • 2 ♂♂, 1 ♀, 1 juv.; same data as for preceding; Sanje; 7°47′03.0″ S, 36°54′05.8″ E; 410 m a.s.l.; 17 Feb. 2022; A. Ngute, E. Kivambe, W. Mhagawale, H. Mnendendo, M. Mpoto and A. Marshall leg.; FoRCE plot 93, open canopy; NHMD 1184739 • 1 subad. ♀; Udzungwa Mountains National Park; 07°50′56.4″ S, 36°53′00.4″ E; 325 m a.s.l.; 2 Mar. 2020; A. Ngute and A.R. Marshall leg.; micro-FoRCE plot 26, open forest; COLL. NHMD. ACC.NO. 2020-EN-002; NHMD 1184740 . – Iringa Region, Kilolo District, Udzungwa Scarp Nature Reserve • 2 ♂♂; Uhafiwa; 8°31′58.4″ S, 35°51′28.4″ E; 1375 m a.s.l.; 25 Jan. 2022; A. Ngute, R. Malanda, W. Mhagawale, H. Mnendendo, A. Mpoto and A. Marshall leg.; FoRCE Plot 106, open canopy; COLL. NHMD - ACC.NO. 2022-EN-003; NHMD 1184741 • 3 ♂♂, 3 ♀♀; Chita Juu; 8°32′23.4″ S, 35°51′36.0″ E; 1387 m a.s.l.; 1 Feb. 2022; A. Ngute, R. Malanda, W. Mhagawale, H. Mnendendo, A. Mpoto and A. Marshall leg.; FoRCE Plot 109, open canopy, COLL. NHMD - ACC. NO. 2022-EN-003; NHMD 1184742 • 1 ♂; 11 km SE of Masisiwe, Kihanga Stream, 8°22′5.7″ S, 35°58′41.6″ E, 1800 m a.s.l.; 17–27 May 1997; E. Milungu leg.; understorey, NHMD 1184743 .

Distribution and habitat

Known from two sites in the Udzungwa Mountains National Park (Fig. 1) – collected at 325–504 m a.s.l., and three sites in the Udzungwa Scarp Nature Reserve – collected at 1373–1800 m a.s.l.

Remarks

The examined specimens agree with the description by Hoffman (2005). However, there are a few differences between specimens from Udzungwa Mountains National Park (topotypes and near topotypes) and specimens from Udzungwa Scarp Nature Reserve, see Table 3 and Figs 18–20). The specimens from the latter place were collected at much higher altitudes than those from the former.

The microsculpture of the paranota (Fig. 18E) is remarkable: the cuticular microscutes (“cytoscutes”) are rounded-hexagonal, ca 0.01 mm in diameter, and densely beset with tiny denticles, not only along one edge, as is very common in myriapods, but all over the surface; 74–83 denticles on each of the three central scutes on Fig. 18E. Similar microsculpture was also seen in C. beatrix Hoffman, 1977 (Fig. 20F) and in an undescribed congener from Kanga Montauns (Fig. 20E). See Discussion.

The spinnerets were not described by Hoffman (2005). The four simple, setiform sensilla are placed in a quadrat at the tip of the epiproct. On Fig. 18C there is what looks somewhat, but not quite like the socket of a fifth spinneret; this structure was seen only on one of two specimens studied with scanning electron microscopy and may be insignificant. Unlike the other Udzungwa chelodesmids, C. dolorotrix has no globular swelling lateral to the spinnerets.

The gonopods (Figs 19, 20B) fully agree with Hoffman’s description and drawings. In males from Udzungwa Mountains National Park, the proximal edge of the solenomere is flexed at right angles with main plane of the solenomere (Fig. 20B).