Osientomon Nakamura, 2010

Nakamura, Osami, 2010, Taxonomic revision of the family Eosentomidae (Hexapoda: Protura) from Japan 2701, Zootaxa 2701, pp. 1-109 : 5-6

Genus Osientomon Nakamura gen. nov.

Type species: Osientomon japonicum sp. nov.

Additional species: Osientomon linoculum ( Zhang & Yin, 1981) comb. nov.

Diagnosis. Eosentomids with spiracles on thoracic tergites II– III and three pairs of two-segmented abdominal appendages. On head, labral setae present. Foretarsal sensillum e absent; g short and setiform; b'1 absent. On female squama genitalis, processus sternalis S-shaped and caput processus of duck’s head type .

Discussion. Among Eosentomidae , the present genus is characterized by having setiform g on the foretarsus as in Isoentomon Tuxen from Europe ( Corsica), Africa ( Kenya), Mexico, Brazil and Australia (Tuxen, 1975) and Madagascarentomon Nosek from Madagascar ( Nosek, 1978). However, the new genus differs from the latter two by the presence of labral setae on the head and the shape of caput processus on the female squama genitalis; it further differs from Isoentomon by the absence of foretarsal sensillum b'1, and from Madagascarentomon by the absence of foretarsal sensillum e and the length of g. This new genus also resembles Zhongguohentomon Yin from China ( Yin, 1979), but it clearly differs from the latter in the absence of foretarsal sensillum e, the shape of g, the position of P2a on abdominal tergite VIII, and the structure of female squama genitalis.

Zhang & Yin (1981) described Isoentomon linoculum , which Yin (1999) moved to Paranisentomon Zhang & Yin. However, I consider it appropriate to include the species in the new genus proposed here, as it bears a short and setiform g on foretarsus, which places it in Isoentominae, rather than Anisentominae . This species also has labral setae on the head, lacks foretarsal sensillum b'1, and possesses an S-shaped processus sternalis and duck’s head-type caput processus on the female squama genitalis, characters of Osientomon and not Isoentomon .

Etymology. The generic name is made by anagram of the genus Isoentomon , which is closely to the new genus; gender neuter.

Distribution. Japan and China.