Harpagophora Attems, 1909

Redman, Guy T., Hamer, Michelle L. & Barraclough, David A., 2003, Revision of the Harpagophoridae (Diplopoda, Spirostreptida) of southern Africa, including descriptions of five new species, African Invertebrates 44 (2), pp. 203-277 : 211-212

Harpagophora Attems, 1909

Harpagophora Attems, 1909: 41 ; 1914 1928; Lawrence 1965; Schubart 1966; Hamer 1998. Harpagophorella Demange, 1983: 579 . Syn. n.

Type species: Harpagophora diplocrada Attems, 1909 .

Diagnosis: Always two femoral spines on telopodite, these unequal in length and width; both spines originating at flexure of telopodite; one femoral spine straight, stronger, more robust and distally directed, terminating in two processes apically, other femoral spine smaller, originating at base of larger spine and directed outwards ( Fig. 42 ). Posterior limb of telopodite comprising two branches, the spine branch and the pectinophore. Spine branch a laminate plate bearing dentate margin with teeth of various sizes and formation ( Fig. 42 ). Telocoxites not reflexed ( Fig. 43 ). Syncoxosternum medially suturate. Coxal shelf tumid in centre where it makes contact with shelf from opposite coxal element. Apex of prefemoral process subtriangular ( Fig. 41 ).

Distribution:The only known species of the genus outside South Africa are H. diplocrada and a species described here, both being endemic to Namibia.The Harpagophora species occurring in South Africa ( alokopyga , attenuata , dittoktenus , monodus ) are confined to the south-west and west coast of the Western and Northern Cape.

Remarks: The subgenus Harpagophorella Demange (1983) was established for H. alokopyga , H. dittoktenus , H. polyodus and H. spirobolina , and was based solely on the structure of the margin of the spine branch. The form of the femoral spines and telocoxites, and the overall structure of the spine branch were not considered. In most species of Harpagophora the spine branch is a broad, concave, laminate plate ( monodus , attenuata and alokopyga ), and in others the spine branch is cylindrical ( diplocrada and arida ). The margin of the spine branch varies interspecifically, but is not consistent with other characters.

Figures

Figs 40–44. Harpagophora diplocrada Attems, 1909. 40. Lateral view of anterior region of millipede. 41. Oral view of first pair of male legs. 42. Aboral view of telopodite. 43. Aboral view of gonopods (NMSA 18920). 44.Aboral view of gonopods (NMSA 9670). f1 = large femoral spine; f2 = small femoral spine; mp = median process; p = pectinophore; s = spine branch.