Glyphiulus maocun, Liu, Weixin & Wynne, J. Judson, 2019

Liu, Weixin & Wynne, J. Judson, 2019, Cave millipede diversity with the description of six new species from Guangxi, China, Subterranean Biology 30, pp. 57-94 : 79-81

Glyphiulus maocun sp. nov. Figs 4C , 18 , 19 , 20

Type material.

Holotype male, China, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Lingchuan County, Maocun Village, Liangfeng Cave [25°12'34.86"N, 110°31'56.8"E], 184 m el., deep zone, direct intuitive search, 18 November 2016, J.J. Wynne. Paratypes, 4 females, 4 juv. (SCAU), same data as holotype.

Etymology.

The species name, maocun, is used as a noun in apposition and is the name of the village nearest to the type locality.

Diagnosis.

This new species is similar to G. melanoporus (from caves in Guilin) in showing carinotaxy formula of collum I–IV +5c+6a+pc+ma. However, G. maocun sp. nov. is distinct from G. melanoporus by (1) carinotaxy formula of metaterga 2/2+I/ i +3/3; (2) anterior gonopod with a conspicuous, high, curved downward process on coxosternum ( Figs 19F , 20A ); (3) posterior gonopod tip branch plumose flagellum ( Figs 19 G–I , 20B, C ).

Description.

Based on the type specimens. Lengths of both sexes ca 26-32 mm, mid-body rings round in cross-section, their widths and heights similar, 1.2-1.8 mm. Coloration: yellow-brown to brownish in alcohol. Ommatidia blackish ( Fig. 18A ). Body: with 46-54 podous rings + 2-1 apodous one(s) + telson. Head: clypeus with 4 teeth anteromedially. Each eye patch with about 8-12 ommatidium arranged in three irregular vertical rows ( Figs 18A , 19A ). Antennae long, antennomere 7 with four short apical cones ( Fig. 18A, B ). Gnathochilarium usually, with a separate promentum ( Fig. 19B ). Exoskeleton: Carinotaxy formula of collum I–IV +5c+6a+pc+ma, anterior margin crests lower ( Fig. 19A ). Subsequent metaterga strongly crested, carinotaxy formula 2/2+I/i+3/3. Ozoporiferous tubercles round ( Fig. 18 ). Prozonae delicately alveolate; strictures and metazonae fine longitudinal striations. Rings 2 and 3 with long pleural flaps. Epiproct simple, with a short, low, rounded tubercle medially. Paraprocts rather regularly convex. Hypoproct broadly emarginated ( Fig. 18D ). ♂ legs 1 very strongly reduced, represented only by a sternum devoid of any median or paramedian structures but carrying 1+1 strongly separated prongs both curved anteriad and bearing several strong setae ( Fig. 18B, C ). ♂ legs 2 with large coxae; penes oblong, each with two strong setae distolaterally ( Fig. 19D ). ♂ legs 3 with slender and elongate coxae ( Fig. 19E ). Legs slender, about 1.2 times as long as mid-body ring height. Claw simple, without any spine at base. Anterior gonopods: ( Figs 19F , 20A ) with a conspicuous, high, lobe-shaped, curved downward process on coxosternum, which is much higher than telopdite; telopodite slightly coiled, 1-segmented, lateral in position, with 2 or 3 strong apical setae. Posterior gonopods: ( Figs 19 G–I , 20B, C ) laterally with a low, lateral lobe carrying a dozen of long setae, tip branch very slender and high, plumose flagellum.

Habitat.

Specimens were collected within or at proximity to flood detritus.

Notes.

Specimens exhibited no characteristics suggestive of cave adaptation. It had a pigmented cuticle and well-developed blackish ommatidia. We consider this species to be troglophillic within Liangfeng Cave. Subsequently, this species may have a larger, more regional distribution.

Figures

Figure 4. A Trichopeltis liangfengdong sp. nov. from Liangfeng Cave B Pacidesmus trifidus Golovatch & Geoffroy, 2014 from Maomaotou Cave C Glyphiulus maocun sp. nov. from Liangfeng Cave.

Figure 18. Glyphiulus maocun sp. nov., holotype. A, B Anterior part of body, sublateral views C mid-body rings, dorsal view D posterior part of body, ventral view.

Figure 19. Glyphiulus maocun sp. nov., holotype. A Head and collum, dorsal view B head, collum, and legs 1, ventral view C legs 1, anterior view D leg 2, caudal view E legs 3, frontal view F anterior gonopods, caudal view G posterior gonopods, anterior view H posterior gonopods, caudal view.

Figure 20. Glyphiulus maocun sp. nov., holotype. A Anterior gonopods, caudal view B posterior gonopods, anterior view C posterior gonopods, caudal view.