Bicoxidens friendi, Mwabvu, 2000

Mwabvu, Tarombera, Hamer, Michelle L. & Slotow, Robert H., 2007, A taxonomic review of the southern African millipede genus, Bicoxidens Attems, 1928 (Diplopoda: Spirostreptida: Spirostreptidae), with the description of three new species and a tentative phylogeny, Zootaxa 1452, pp. 1-23 : 7-8

B. friendi Mwabvu, 2000

Fig. 3

Bicoxidens friendi Mwabvu, 2000, 2005

Type material (examined): Holotype: ZIMBABWE: 1 ɗ, Murewa, Maramba [ 17°10'S, 31°55'E], on granite rock outcrop, 21.xii.1996, T. Mwabvu (( MRAC 20557)

Additional material examined: ZIMBABWE: 1 ɗ, Showe River (NMZ/D628); 1 ɗ, Limestone Ridge [1630A1], 11.xii.1984 (NMZ/D262); 1 ɗ, Murewa, Maramba [ 17°10'S, 31°55'E], 21.xii.1996, T. Mwabvu ( NMSA 20545); 1 ɗ, Limestone Ridge [1630A1], 11.xii.1984 (NMZ/D262); 2 ɗ, Makoni [ 18°30'S, 32°10'E], xi.1962, D. G. Broadley ( NMSA 8883).

Diagnosis: Apical region of telocoxite T-shaped, folded downwards with the rim just above knee bend, with one tapering lateral process and three median processes ( Figs. 3 a, 3b). The middle and longer median process overlaps the process from the opposite gonopod, the shorter process is peg-like.

Abbreviations: cf, collum fold; llb, lateral leaf lobe; lp, lateral process; mp, median process; pc, paracoxite; pfl, prefemoral lobe; st, sternite; tp, telopodite.

Description:

Size: Body length 90–113 mm; minimum and maximum body width 3–7 mm and 6–8 mm; antenna length 5–6 mm.

Number of body rings: 48–61.

Colour: Body brown to greenish-black; antennae and legs dark brown.

Collum: Rounded, with two complete and one to three incomplete folds ( Fig. 3 d).

Pre-femoral process of 1st pair of male legs: Relatively long, rounded and furthest apart distally ( Fig. 3 c).

Sigilla on body ring: One row present, flanked by two discontinuous rows.

Gonopod: 4–5 mm long. Apical telocoxite T-shaped, with three median processes and a distally tapering and curved lateral process. Apically, telocoxite folded over self with rim just above knee ( Fig. 3 a). The longest median process overlaps with the process from the opposite gonopod, the shorter peg-like. Aborally, a bulb-shaped basally rounded lobe present on lateral leaf. Distal part of telopodites tips forming an incomplete loop ( Fig. 3 a)

Distribution: Known only from north-eastern Zimbabwe

Remarks: This species has a large bulbous lobe that extends downwards from the apical telocoxite (aborally) this is similar to gokwensis , nigerrimus , matopoensis , and brincki . The overlapping median processes of the apical telocoxite are straight, rather than curved as found in flavicollis and grandis . The femoral lobe is reduced unlike in grandis and flavicollis .

Figures

FIGURE 3. B. friendi (MRAC 20557). a, oral view of gonopods; b, aboral view of gonopods; c, oral view of prefemoral lobe of first pair of male legs; d, lateral view of collum.