Megaphyllum spathulatum (Lohmander, 1936)

Lazányi, Eszter & Vagalinski, Boyan, 2013, Redefinition of the millipede subgenus Megaphyllum sensu stricto Verhoeff, 1894 and neotype designation for Megaphyllum austriacum (Latzel, 1884) (Myriapoda: Diplopoda: Julida: Julidae), Zootaxa 3741 (1), pp. 55-100 : 87

Megaphyllum spathulatum (Lohmander, 1936)

Figs 18b–d

Chromatoiulus (Chromatoiulus) spathulatus Lohmander, 1936: 104 –109, Figs 80–84. Chromatoiulus (Chromatoiulus) spathulatus: Attems 1940: 306 .

Megaphyllum spathulatum: Golovatch 1990: 364 ; 1992: 381.

Distribution. Western Caucasus (unspecified type locality) (Lohmander 1936).

Diagnosis. The species is easily recognized from other consubgeners by a combination of a strongly tapering promere ( Figs 17b–c ) and a tagged posterior opisthomere process (pp) connecting to the opisthomere at higher angles (around 50°–60°, see Figs 18b, 18d ) (Lohmander 1936).

Male gonopods: Promere (P) ( Figs 18b–c ) strongly tapering, medially with an apical hump with spines (sh). Posterior solenomere process (psp) well-developed, longer than anterior one (asp).

According to Lohmander (1936): body colour probably faded due to the conservation; but both sexes seemed to be brownish, yellow-grey, sometimes with a dark dorsal band medially; the ozopore line is also dark. Thus, it resembles M. sjaelandicum more than other species in the group. Body length and height (Lohmander 1936): males: 35mm, 2.7mm; females: 38–42mm, 3.4–3.8mm.

Remarks. M. spathulatum is regarded as the only neoendemic Megaphyllum s.str. species in the Caucasus (Golovatch 1992). However, there are doubtful records of M. hercules from the region (Lignau 1903; Issajew 1911). Lohmander (1936) stated that mistaking the two species would not have been possible, so the two species may co-occur.

Figures

FIGURES 18 b – d. Megaphyllum spathulatum after Lohmander (1936): (18 b) right gonopods, mesal view; (18 c) left promere, meso-posterior view; (18 d) probably left opisthomere, lateral view. Abbreviations: ah: anterior hump; ap: anterior process, asp: anterior process of the solenomere, ph: posterior hump, pp: posterior process, psp: posterior process of the solenomere, sh: serrated hump, P: promere.

FIGURES 17 a – g. Megaphyllum sjaelandicum male and female from Dorpat, Estonia, ZMB 8734: (17 a) gonopods, posterior view; (17 b) left gonopods, mesal view; (17 c) right promere, meso-posterior view; (17 d) right opisthomere, mesal view; penis, (17 e) posterior and right lateral views; (17 g) right vulva, antero-mesal view (setae omitted). Abbreviations: ah: anterior hump; ap: anterior process, asp: anterior process of the solenomere, ca: central ampulla, ct: connecting tube; h: hump, l: lobe, op: operculum, pa: posterior ampulla, pp: posterior process, psp: posterior process of the solenomere, P: promere. Scale bars: 0.2 mm.