Zinophora mudenensis, Redman & Hamer & Barraclough, 2003

Redman, Guy T., Hamer, Michelle L. & Barraclough, David A., 2003, Revision of the Harpagophoridae (Diplopoda, Spirostreptida) of southern Africa, including descriptions of five new species, African Invertebrates 44 (2), pp. 203-277 : 249-251

Zinophora mudenensis sp. n. Redman

Figs 2 , 127–135

Type material (examined): Holotype: SOUTH AFRICA: KwaZulu-Natal: 1ơ, Mhlopeni Nature Reserve (29˚ 01.072S:30˚ 24.846E), 1.xi.2000, G. Redman ( NMSA 18948 ). Paratypes: SOUTH AFRICA: KwaZulu-Natal: 12ơ3^, same data as holotype except 29˚ 00.508S:30˚ 24.373E ( NMSA 18924 ) .

Etymology: The species is named for the district in which it was collected (Muden).

Diagnosis: One short, proximally broad and flattened femoral spine ( Fig. 130 ). Posterior telocoxal fold distally convex, with lateral protrusion curling orally ( Figs 129, 131 ). Telocoxal spine prominent and medially and proximally directed ( Fig. 129 ).

Description:

Dimensions: Males, n = 12; females, n = 3. Body width 8.0, 6–8 [6.9], female 7.0–9.5; collum width 7.4, 6.0–7.4 [6.7], female 5.7–8.2; body length 79.0, 65.0–85.0 [75.6], female 57.0–76.0; leg length 4.9, 4.1–4.9, female 3.4–4.5; antenna length 7.0, 5.0–7.0 [6.0], female 5.0–6.2.

128

127

Number of segments: 48, 46–49 [48], female 45–48.

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

First ozopore: Segment 6.

Collum: Anterior corner rounded with one submarginal groove ( Fig. 127 ).

Gonopods: One distally directed, short, flattened femoral spine present, with width subequal to anterior limb of telopodite and with apex concealed under posterior telocoxal fold ( Figs 129–132 ). Pectinophore curved towards thumb apically. Distal margin of thumb dentate with about five cusps. Second lamella broadening apically and curled away from apical elements ( Figs 134, 135 ). Telocoxal spine smooth with broad base and curved downwards ( Figs 129, 131 ). Lateral, distal margin of telocoxite with projection bearing serrated edges curled orally ( Fig. 133 ). Margin of posterior telocoxal fold distally convex and sloping diagonally over anterior telocoxal fold, partly concealing telocoxal spine and not overlapping opposite posterior telocoxal fold ( Figs 129, 131, 133 ).

Pre-anal ring: Caudal spine extending well beyond margin of anal valve and upturned distally.

Distribution: Current records are from Mhlopeni Nature Reserve and the Muden area immediately surrounding the reserve ( Fig. 2 ). The area is a combination of grassland, savanna and valley thicket habitats.

Remarks: This species most closely resembles Z. pearlae , but Z. pearlae has two femoral spines, and there are also other small differences in the telocoxite and apical element structure.

Figures

Fig. 2. Distribution of southern African Zinophora species.

Figs 127–135. Zinophora mudenensis sp. n. 127. Lateral view of collum; arrow indicates anterior end of millipede. 128. Oral view of first pair of male legs. 129.Aboral view of gonopods (NMSA 18948). 130. Detail of femoral spine of telopodite. 131. Aboral view of gonopods (NMSA 18924). 132. Telopodite.133.Aboral view of gonopod (NMSA 18924). 134–135.Apical elements of telopodite, different orientations. c = telocoxal spines; lp = lateral process of posterior telocoxal fold; p = pectinophore; sl = second lamella; t = thumb.