Zinophora lobata Redman, 2010

Redman, Guy T., Hamer, Michelle L., Slotow, Robert H. & Barraclough, David A., 2010, Description of two new species of Zinophora Chamberlin, 1927 (Diplopoda: Spirostreptida: Harpagophoridae), with discussion of species groups in the genus, African Invertebrates 51 (2), pp. 385-385 : 389-391

Zinophora lobata Redman , sp. n.

Figs 1A , 2–6

Etymology: From Latin lobata (lobed) adjective; refers to the elongated protuberance along the medial margin of the metaplica.

Diagnosis: Metaplica triangular, with medial margin formed into extended finger-like lobe or medial process directed posteriorly ( Fig. 2 ). Telocoxal spines curved with apexdirected basad ( Fig. 3 ). Telopodite with one long and narrow acutely produced femoral spine ( Fig. 4 ). Thumb narrow, curved in direction of palette and apically acute ( Fig. 5 ).

Description:

Dimensions (mm): Male, n = 5; Female, n = 1. Body width: male: 7, (6.5–8), [6.2]; female: 9.3; collum width: male: 7, (6–7), [6.8], female 8.4; body length: male: 75, (50–82), [68], female: 79; leg length: male: 4, (3–4.8), female: 4; antenna length: male: 5, (4–5), [4.8], female: 5.

First ozopore: 6 th segment.

Number of body rings: male: 43, (43–45), [44], female: 45.

Colour: Head brown; clypeus brown with reddish tinge. Collum dark brown. Prozonites light brown to orange, mesozonites brown, metazonites dark brown. Pre-anal ring brown. Legs and antennae brown.

Collum: Anterior corner rounded with one submarginal groove, surface with light markings and punctures, otherwise smooth.

Pre­anal ring: Caudal spine extending beyond margin of anal valve and upturned distally. Anal valve: Surface bulbous and smooth. Margin smooth and raised, delimited by well-defined granular depression.

First pair of male legs: Prefemora in contact medially. Syncoxosternum with a slit medially between paracoxites ( Fig. 6 ).

Gonopods: Lateral margin of metaplica distally rounded and sloping diagonally over proplica, concealing telocoxal and femoral spines ( Fig. 2 ). Short, downcurved medial telocoxal spine ( Figs 2, 3 ). Metaplica triangular, with medial margin formed into extended finger-like lobe ( Fig. 2 ). Telopodite with one long, narrow and acutely produced femoral spine concealed by metaplica ( Figs 3 , 4 ). Thumb narrow, curved in direction of palette and acutely produced. Spatulate lobe a thin hyaline plate broadening apically, with tip curled away from other apical elements ( Fig. 5 ).

Holotype: MOZAMBIQUE: Inhambane: 1♂ Pomene on road (23.01465°S: 35.55040°E), 06.i.2003, D. Herbert ( NMSA 22106 ).

Paratypes: 4♂ 1♀ same data as holotype ( NMSA 22107 ) .

Distribution: The only record for this species is from Pomene in the Inhambane province in southern Mozambique.

Remarks: The thumb on the apical elements of the telopodite is narrow, curved in the direction of the palette and acutely produced, making this species a member of the Zinophora munda group. The locality of the species is also consistent with the distribution of other species in the Z. munda group, which is generally in the northern half of South Africa, extending beyond the Limpopo River (Redman & Hamer 2003; Redman et al. 2003).

Figures

Fig. 1. Illustrations of gonopods labelled according to terminology employed: (A) Zinophora lobata, posterior view of gonopods; (B) Z. taromberai, gonopods with telocoxal spines, anterior view; (C) Z. taromberai, telopodite, posterior view. Abbreviations: f – femoral spine, mt – metaplica, p – palette, pl – proplica, sl – spatulate lobe, t – thumb, ts – telocoxal spine. Scale bars = 1 mm.

Figs 2, 3. Zinophora lobata sp. n., telocoxites: (2) oral view, (3) aboral view. Abbreviations: lo – lobe, mt – metaplica, ts – telocoxal spine. Scale bars = 1 mm.

Figs 4, 5. Zinophora lobata sp. n.: (4) telopodite with long and narrow acutely produced femoral spine, (5) telopodite showing apical elements.Abbreviations: f – femoral spine, p – palette, sl – spatulate lobe, t – thumb. Scale bars = 1 mm.

Fig.6. Zinophora lobata sp.n., first pair ofmale legs.Abbreviations:pp – prefemoral process, pr – prefemora, s – syncoxosternum. Scale bar = 1 mm.