Hylekobolus rufus 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 : 104-106

Hylekobolus rufus Wesener , sp. n.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:DA4510C8-7395-4FC6-B2E5-4FD125250FB4

Material examined: 14 ♂, 8 ♀, 1 imm. Holotype: 1 ♂ (60 mm long), FMMC 8188 , Province Fianarantsoa, PN Midongy, Mt. Papango , 3.5 km SW Befotaka, rainforest, 1250 m, 23°50.3’ S, 46°57.5’ E, leg. S. Goodman, 2–7.XI.1997 . Paratype: 1 ♀, FMMC 8188 , same data as holotype ; 1 ♂, 1 imm., FMMC 6172 , Province Fianarantsoa, PN Midongy, Mt. Papango , 2.5 km SW Befotaka, rainforest, 875 m, 23°50.1’S, 46°57.8’E, leg. S. Goodman, 26–31.X.2003, pitfall trap .

Other material examined: 2 ♂, 1 ♀, FMMC W092 , Province Toliara, Vohimena Eastern Slope, Enato , rainforest, 24°53’0.25” S, 46°59’2.77” E, leg. T. Wesener et al., 27.V.2007 ; 2 ♂, MNHN, Province Fianarantsoa, Tolongoina, route d’Ifanadiana , Fort Carnot , 21°33’ S, 47°31’ E, Rec. Blanc, 18.V.1964 ; 1 ♂, MNHN, Province Fianarantsoa, Befotaka (p. de Farafangana), 600 m, Région montagneuse boisée, 23°49’ S, 46°59’ E, leg. entrée 17–1927, R. Decary, 10.VIII.1926 ; 7 ♂, 6 ♀, CAS NoNumber, Province Fianarantsoa, PN Ranomafana , Talatakely , 21°14.9’ S, 47°25.6’ E, leg. C. Griswold et al., 19–30.IV.1998 .

Differential diagnosis: H. rufus differs from all other Hylekobolus species in a unique combination of characters: collum red ( Fig. 56A ), posterior gonopod at lateral margin (w) lacking projection, apical process (x) wide ( Fig. 56E ).

Description. Measurements: males with 50–52 rings, 55–65 mm long, 4.1–4.8 mm wide. Females with 50 or 51 rings, circa 63 mm long, 5.7 mm wide.

Coloration in numerous samples affected by alcohol. Head, collum, antennae, legs, metazonites of body rings and posterior part of telson including anal valves and subanal scale red ( Figs 56A, C ). Anterior part of body rings and telson dark grey ( Figs 56A, C ). Eyes with 32–34 ocelli ( Fig. 56A ).

Anterior gonopod sternite basally wide, completely rectangular, apically even slightly wider than basally ( Fig. 56D ). Mesal process of coxite wide and only slightly protruding ( Fig. 56D ). Apical process of telopodite large and well-rounded. Retrorse margin wide, projecting above telopodite margin ( Fig. 56F ) but not protruding basally of apical process ( Fig. 56F ).

Posterior gonopods telopodite bent 90° ( Fig. 56G ). Lateral margin without a projection (w, Fig. 56E ). Apical process (x) wide ( Fig. 56E ). Membranous lobe (y) large and

rectangular ( Fig. 56E ). In posterior view, an additional small, sclerotized lobe present apically of membranous lobe ( Fig. 56G ). Projection of sperm canal (z) straight, as long as apical process ( Fig. 56G ).

Distribution and ecology: H. rufus is the Hylekobolus species with the largest area of distribution. It occurs in Southeastern Madagascar from the eastern slopes of the Vohimena range, Midousy Mountains up to Tolongoina ( Fig. 54 ).

Etymology: rufus , adjective, refers to the reddish colour pattern ( Fig. 56A ).

Figures

Figure 54. Distribution map of the genus Hylekobolus gen. n.

Figure 56. Hylekobolus rufus sp. n., male holotype. A head, lateral view B legs 1–7, ventral view C telson D anterior gonopod, anterior view E left posterior gonopod, anterior view F anterior gonopod, posterior view G left posterior gonopod, posterior view.Apo = apodeme; av = anal valves; Co = collum; Cx = coxite; Gn = gnathochilarium; L = ledges; Md = mandible; Pre = preanal ring; St = sternite; T = telopodite. Scale bars = 1 mm.