Ostinobolus stellaris Wesener, 2009

Wesener, Thomas, Enghoff, Henrik & Sierwald, Petra, 2009, Review of the Spirobolida on Madagascar, with descriptions of twelve new genera, including three genera of ' fire millipedes' (Diplopoda), ZooKeys 19 (19), pp. 1-128 : 92

Ostinobolus stellaris Wesener , sp. n.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:CF18E6B2-0F2E-42C8-ACF7-B5D8654FA29D

Material examined: Holotype: 1 ♂ (37 mm long), FMMC 8198 , Madagascar, Province Toliara, RNI Andohahela , parcel I, camp 3, 1200 m, rainforest, 24°35.0’ S, 46°44.1’ E, leg. S. Goodman, 7–17.XI.1995, pitfall traps.

Differential diagnosis: O. montanus sp. n. is slightly larger than O. stellaris , the former differs from the latter in the presence of male coxal processes ( Fig. 51B ) and completely different shaped posterior gonopods ( Fig. 51G ). See above for a separation of O. stellaris and O. rufus .

Description. Measurements: male holotype with 40 rings, circa 37 mm long (broken), 3.7 mm wide.

Coloration faded in alcohol. Antennae and legs reddish, with white tips ( Fig. 50A ). Head, collum, median part of body rings and telson greyish ( Fig. 50C ). Metazona of body rings red. Eyes with circa 25 ocelli arranged in five rows ( Fig. 50A ).

Antennae protruding back to ring 5 ( Fig. 50A ).

Male coxal processes absent, but width of coxae 3 and 4 enlarged ( Fig. 50B ). Preanal process absent ( Fig. 50C ).

Anterior gonopod sternite lobe wide, broadly rounded ( Fig. 50D ). Sternite tip lower than coxite. Coxite and telopodite inconspicuous, processes absent ( Fig. 50D ).

Posterior gonopods: basal stem of telopodite elongated, 2.5 times longer than wide ( Fig. 50E ). Apical part of telopodite star-shaped ( Fig. 50F ). At mesal margin with three star arms (x, y, z in Fig. 50E ). Telopodite apically with a small membranous process (x in Fig. 50F ) and a well-developed membranous fringe (w). Between fringe (w) and membranous process (x) with a second process ( Figs 50E, F ).

Distribution and ecology: only known from the Anosy rainforest north of the Isaka-Ivondro corridor ( Fig. 49 ).

Etymology: stellaris , adjective, refers to the star-like shape of the posterior gonopod telopodite.

Figures

Figure 49. Distribution map of the genus Ostinobolus gen. n..

Figure 50. Ostinobolus stellaris sp. n., male holotype. A head, lateral view B legs 1–7, ventral view C telson D anterior gonopod, anterior view E right posterior gonopod, anterior view; F: right posterior gonopod, posterior view. av = anal valves; Co = collum; Cx = coxite; Gn = gnathochilarium; h = head; IL = incisura lateralis; L = ledge; Md = mandible; Pre = preanal ring; St = sternite; sub = subanal scale; T = telopodite. Scale bars = 1 mm.

Figure 51. Ostinobolus montanus sp. n., male holotype. A head, lateral view B legs 1–7, ventral view C telson D anterior gonopod, anterior view E right posterior gonopod, anterior view F anterior gonopod, posterior view G right posterior gonopod, posterior view. av = anal valves Co = collum; Cx = coxite; Gn = gnathochilarium; Md = mandible; Pre = preanal ring; St = sternite; T = telopodite. Scale bars = 1 mm.