Alluviobolus laticlavius Wesener, 2009

Wesener, Thomas, Enghoff, Henrik & Sierwald, Petra, 2009, Review of the Spirobolida on Madagascar, with descriptions of twelve new genera, including three genera of ' fire millipedes' (Diplopoda), ZooKeys 19 (19), pp. 1-128 : 82-83

Alluviobolus laticlavius Wesener , sp. n.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:90EB964E-EF9A-48BA-A6C3-D42741B7258E

Material examined: Holotype: 1 ♂ (39 mm long), FMMC 4065 , Madagascar, Province Toliara, Petriky , 10 m, littoral subhumid forest, 25°3.73’ S, 46°52.16’ E, leg. B. L. Fisher, 22.IX.1998, sifted litter . Paratype: 1 ♀, FMMC, Province Toliara, Petriky, 10 m littoral forest on sand, in leaf litter, 25°03’ S, 46°53’ E, leg. T. Wesener, 17.IV.2003.

Differential diagnosis: the colour pattern of A. laticlavius is unique for Alluviobolus and also for millipedes living in Petriky, allowing a secure identification of this species. A. laticlavius differs from A. antanosy sp. n. in the shape of posterior gonopods and male coxal processes, although the latter species can be found just five kilometers south of Petriky. The posterior gonopods of Alluviobolus laticlavius are quite similar to those of A. tsimelahy sp. n. A. laticlavius , however, differs from the latter in the shape of the male coxal processes as well as in the colour pattern.

Description. holotype with 47 body rings, 39 mm long, 3.9 mm wide.

Coloration on mesozonites faded to grey, metazonites black ( Fig. 44C ). Rings dorsally with a wide red stripe. Legs, antennae, anal valves, subanal scale and posterior part of preanal process faded to light brown ( Figs 44 A–C). Eyes with circa 25 ocelli arranged in five rows ( Fig. 44A ). Antennae protruding back to ring 5 ( Fig. 44A ). Male coxal processes only present on coxae 3 and 4 ( Fig. 57B ). Processes slen- der, bended posteriorly and protruding above coxa of adjacent leg. Preanal process absent ( Fig. 44C ).

Anterior gonopod sternite elevated into a wide lobe, apically slightly tapering. Tip well-rounded ( Fig. 44E ). Coxite and telopodite inconspicuous ( Figs 44E, G ).

Posterior gonopods: telopodite without a membranous fringe ( Fig. 44H ). Apical sclerite (x in Fig. 44H ) slender, triangular, regularly protruding into a slender, acute tip ( Fig. 44F ).

Distribution and ecology: this species is only known and possibly microendemic to the worldwide unique ( Vincelette et al. 2003) subhumid littoral forest of Petriky ( Fig. 43 ). Like other species of the genus, does A. laticlavius lives on and in the leaf litter.

Etymology: laticlavius , adjective, refers to the characteristic wide red stripe of this species.

Figures

Figure 43. Distribution map of the genus Alluviobolus gen. n.

Figure 44. Alluviobolus laticlavius sp. n. male holotype. A head, lateral view B legs 1–7, ventral view C telson D gnathochilarium, ventral view E anterior gonopod, anterior view F right posterior gonopod, anterior view G anterior gonopod, posterior view H right posterior gonopod, telopodite, posterior view I posterior gonopods, coxite and sternite, posterior view. Apo = apodeme; av = anal valves; Co = collum; Cx = coxite; Gn = gnathochilarium; L = ledge; Md = mandible; Me = mentum; Pre = preanal ring; St = sternite; ST = stipites; sub = subanal scale; T = telopodite. Scale bars = 1 mm.

Figure 57. Hylekobolus griseus sp. n., A–E male paratype, F–I male holotype. A head, lateral view B legs 1–7 and gonopods, ventral view C antennal groove D legs 1–7, ventral view E telson F anterior gonopod, anterior view G left posterior gonopod, anterior view H anterior gonopod, posterior view I left posterior gonopod, posterior view.Apo = apodeme; av = anal valves; Co = collum; Cx = coxite; Go = gonopods; IL = incisura lateralis; Md = mandible; Pre = preanal ring; sf = setiferous foveolae; St = sternite; T = telopodite. Scale bars = 1 mm.