Polydesmus asturiensis Djursvoll, 2019

Gilgado, José D. & Ortuño, Vicente M., 2023, Polydesmid millipedes in the MSS of the northern Iberian Peninsula (Diplopoda, Polydesmida, Polydesmidae), Zoosystema 45 (15), pp. 451-461 : 456

Polydesmus asturiensis Djursvoll, 2019

( Figs 3C ; 5 A-C)

Polydesmus asturiensis Djursvoll, 2019: 57 .

MATERIAL EXAMINED. — Spain • 2 ♂; Cantabria, Barrio, monte Casanzo, Llobango , forested scree; 43°03’40”N, 04°39’42”W; 1300 m a.s.l.; 23. VI.2019; V. M. Ortuño, J. D. Gilgado & E. Ledesma leg.; MSS; UAH • 1♂; same data; MNHN • 2 ♂; same data; 27. VI.2017; UAH .

REMARKS

This species was recently described from nine specimens collected in a cave in Teverga, and in Vega de Enol, both in Asturias Province ( Djursvoll 2019). The present record in Cantabria province is 35 km southeast from the closest locality, so it only slightly extends the known range of the species. The presence of Polydesmus asturiensis in a cave and the MSS, indicate at least a partially subterranean lifestyle. The morphology of the gonopod of the captured specimens corresponds to the original description ( Djursvoll 2019), but the exomere seems to be slightly longer and more twisted. However, observation with different angles of tilt may cause different impressions ( Fig. 5 A-C).

Figures

FIG. 3. — Dorsal view of male adult specimens of all six polydesmid species collected: A, Archipolydesmus osellai Ceuca,1968 from the Sierra de Mencilla (MEF); B, Polydesmus angustus Latzel, 1884 from the Sierra Mediana (PES); C, Polydesmus asturiensis Djursvoll, 2019 from Llobango (LLO); D, Polydesmus coriaceus Porat, 1870 from the Sierra de Santo Domingo (SDF); E, Polydesmus racovitzai BrÖlemann, 1910 from the Sierra del Mencilla (MEF); F, Propolydesmus dismilus (Berlese, 1891) from the Sierra de Luesia (SL1). Scale bars: 2 mm.

FIG. 5. — Gonopods of two of the six species collected: A-C, right (A, C) and left (B) gonopods of Polydesmus asturiensis Djursvoll, 2019 from Llobango (LLO) in mesal (A), lateral (B) and ventro-anteromesal (C) view; D-F, left (D) and right (E-F) gonopods of Polydesmus racovitzai BrÖlemann, 1910 from Sierra del Mencilla (MEF) in lateral (D) and mesal (E-F) view. Scale bars: A-C, 0.1 mm; D, 0.2 mm; E, 0.1 mm; F, 0.2 mm.