Scolopendrelloides pseudocongolensis, Camacho, Miguel Domínguez, 2010

Camacho, Miguel Domínguez, 2010, New insights on the genus Scolopendrelloides Bagnall 1913 (Scutigerellidae, Symphyla) with descriptions of two new species, Zootaxa 2558, pp. 48-60 : 51-52

Scolopendrelloides pseudocongolensis n. sp.

Material examined. 12 specimens from the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Type material. Holotype: RMCA 22141, adult female (?), 2.3 mm, Albert National Park, Secteur Ruwenzori, Katsangu, près Kalonge, 2000 m. alt., 12.II.1953, collected by P. Vanschuytbroeck and J. Kekenbosch. Paratypes: RMCA 22142, 1 adult male and 1 adult female, about 2 mm, same data as holotype; RMCA 22143, 1 adult, sex unknown, 2 mm, Albert N.P., Secteur Sud, riv. Rumanura, affl. Fuko, 3.XII.1954, collected by De Witte; RMCA 22144, 1 adult female, 3 mm, and 1 juvenile male with 10 pairs of legs, about 2 mm, Albert N.P., Sect. Ruwenzori, camp Kikura (N 00º 35’ E 029º 57’ 2265 m), 24.V.1957, collected by P. Vanshuytbroeck; RMCA 22145, 2 adult females, about 2 mm, face N. du Ruwenzori, Kilindera (N 00º 23’ E 029º 55’ 2750 m), VII–VIII.1974, collected by M. Lejeune; RMCA 22146, 1 adult female, 2.2 mm, Albert N.P., sect Ruwenzori, Kalonge, riv. Nyamwamba, affl. Butahu (00º 20’ E 029º 49’ 2480 m), 25–29.VIII.1952, collected by P. Vanshuytbroeck and J. Kekenbosch; RMCA 22147, 1 adult female, 2.2 mm, 1 juvenile male with 11 pairs of legs, 2 mm, and 1 juvenile male (?) with 10 pairs of legs, 1.2 mm, Albert N.P., Sect. Ruwenzori, Kalonge, gîte Ruwenzori (N 00º 20’ E 029º 49’ 2080 m), 24–29.IX.1952, collected by P. Vanschuybroeck and J. Kekenbosch.

Length 2–3 mm.

Head 1.15 times as long as broad, somewhat heart-shaped and a bit flattened laterally ( Fig. 2 B). Central rod complete until the most posterior point of the head, but it disappears in the median part. Posterior triangular area very conspicuous. Lateral branches present, straight and conspicuous until the median part of the head. Only the small exterior opening of the Tömösváry’s organ sometimes visible. Dorsal surface of the head with thin, straight setae. Cuticle glabrous.

Antennae. Only 3 antennae from 2 specimens are unbroken. The number of segments segments there is 23, 23 and 27.

Tergites. First tergite small, subelliptical and about five times as wide as long, with 10–12 setae of which 3 or 4 are considerably longer than others. Following tergites large and flat, with the hind margin slightly emarginated ( Fig. 2 B). They cover the whole body since they are wider than the width of the body. Second and third tergites with a somewhat angular appearance, with distinct lateral angles of the posterior emarginations. They present two lateral macrochaetae on each side, the anterior one a bit longer than the posterior. Following tergites with at least a pair of outwards directed macrochaetae. Tergites 4–11 with more rounded margins and very slight posterior emarginations. Lateral angles sometimes not distinct, totally rounded in some specimens. Cuticle of all tergites glabrous, with a very slight mesh pattern only visible on some tergites. At the most anterior part of some tergites, lateral lines with rows of tiny backwards directed setae are present. Penultimate tergite with a single pair of macrochaetae and 5 marginal setae in the emargination ( Fig. 2 C).

Cerci 3 times as long as wide ( Fig. 2 C). Margins nearly straight, with a moderate number of setae. Proximal three quarters of cerci conical, distal quarter unusually slender, nearly cylindrical. Cuticle glabrous, with a very slight scaly pattern.

External part of the trichobothria’s pit with scales, which present thick spines on the ventral side ( Fig. 2 F).

Legs. First pair of legs a bit less than half as long as following pair. Tarsus of legs 10–12 of females with two ventral rows of 6–8 splinter–like setae ( Fig. 2 D, E).

Styli of posterior pairs of legs 4.45 times as long – including the apical seta – as wide and 1.55 times as long as width of tarsus. Pubescence rather sparse ( Fig. 2 E). Only one apical seta 0.7 times as long as the stylus without the seta. There are 7 pairs of fully developed coxal sacs at the base of legs 3–9.

Differential diagnostic. In the shape of the tergites makes that this species is similar to Hanseniella elgolensis Scheller 1954 , specially those specimens which present more rounded margins of the tergites. However, the presence of the splinter–like setae exclusively in the females brings it nearer to Scolopendrelloides congolensis .

Figures

FIGURE 2. SEM micrographs of taxonomic features of Scolopendrelloides pseudocongolensis n. sp., A, whole body; B, head and tergites 1 – 3; C, tergites 14 and 15 of the holotype. D, pairs of legs 10, 11 and 12 of the paratype from type locality. E, detail of the splinter – like setae on tarsus of leg 10 and stylus of leg 11 of paratype. E, trichobothrium of the holotype.