Xystodesmus nikkoensis (Chamberlin & Wang, 1953)

Fig. 17 E, F

Nikkonus nikkoensis Chamberlin & Wang, 1953: 9, fig. 3

Xystodesmus nikkoensis: Tanabe and Shinohara 1996: 1484, figs 3–7, 11 J – K, 13 A, 16 A, 17 L, M

Material examined.

• 4 males, Japan, Northern Ryukyus, Kagoshima Pref., Osumi Group, Yaku-shima Isl., Anbo forest road, Cryptomeria japonica forest, 30°18'42.0"N, 130°37'54.0"E, 190 m a. s. l., 5 July 2010, leg. Z. Korsós (HNHM diplo-04551) .

Descriptive notes.

Tanabe and Shinohara (1996) gave a short redescription and showed relatively small variability in the male gonopod structure. Our specimens, collected exactly on the original type locality (“ Anbo Rindo ”, Yaku-shima Island) are in complete agreement. Tanabe and Shinohara (1996, p. 1484) also said X. nikkoensis is “ the smallest species of xystodesmid in Japan ”. This statement, however, in light of the present discovery of the new species X. parvus sp. nov. and X. sesokoensis sp. nov., is not true anymore.

Colour of living specimens

(Fig. 17 E, F). According to Tanabe and Shinohara (1996: 1484) Yaku-shima specimens have on “ collum and metatergites with yellowish white paranotal spots ”. Based on our freshly photographed animals also from Yaku-shima Isl., we can support this observation and can add that those paranotal spots are even more conspicuous next to the entirely dark brown body colour.