Lithobius crassipesoides, Voigtlaender, Karin, Iorio, Etienne, Decker, Peter & Spelda, Joerg, 2017

Voigtlaender, Karin, Iorio, Etienne, Decker, Peter & Spelda, Joerg, 2017, The subgenus Monotarsobius in the Iberian Peninsula with a description of a new pseudo-cryptic species from Northern Spain revealed by an integrative revision of Lithobiuscrassipes L. Koch, 1862 (Chilopoda, Lithobiomorpha, Lithobiidae), ZooKeys 681, pp. 1-38 : 14-19

Lithobius crassipesoides sp. n. Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, Tables 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16

Lithobius crassipes - Barace and Herrera 1980: 4 (listed), 5 (records, redescription), figs 3-5. - Barace and Herrera 1982: 117 (records). - Salinas 1990: 2 (in checklist for Navarre), 59 (record), mapa 19 (map).

Diagnosis.

Small member (body length 6.4-11 mm) of the subgenus Monotarsobius . Antennae with 20 articles, short, 2.6 times longer than head, 1/4 of body length. 5-11 ocelli, mostly 8 or 9, in two or three rows with one larger posterior ocellus. Legs with species-specific plectrotaxy; legpair 14 and 15 thickened in both sexes, much more so in males; legpair 15 without accessory apical claw, in males with a depression in the posterior half of tibia. Female gonopod claw tridentate.

L. crassipesoides sp. n. differs generally from other Iberian members of Monotarsobius in the presence of a depression in the posterior half of the legpair 15 tibia. It differs from L. osellai and L. morenoi in having more than one row of ocelli; from L. blascoi in having only 20 antennal articles; and from L. crassipes in smaller body length, shorter antennae, lower number of ocelli, the DaP spine starting posteriorly from legpair (12) 13, and the different location and size of the male depression on legpair 15 tibia.

Etymology.

Derived from the morphological similarity to Lithobius crassipes .

Material examined.

Holotype. Spain: Navarre province: Leitza, Ariz Mendiak, between area “Ustarleku” and “Karobieta”, above side stream to Gorriztaran; loamy and calcareous soil, 43.0778°N, 1.8775°W, 615 m a.s.l., 20 April 2009, leg. FT2009, grove of Castanea , pollard trees on the slope with Ranunculus ficaria , Daphne , Helleborus , Salvia , Rubus , Lathrea ; under leaves and bark of rotten trunk, 1 ♂ (SMNG VNR14744-4 d).

Paratype. Spain: Navarre province: Same data as holotype, 1 ♂ (SMNG VNR16739-1 b), 1 ♀ (SMNG VNR14744-4 b), 1 ♀ (SMNG VNR14752-1 c); Spain: Gipuzkoa province, Sierra de Aralar, Beasain, road from Lazkao to Etxarri-Aranaz, Pass Puerto de Lizarrusti, forest of Fagus on the slope, under stones and in leaf litter, 42.9614°N, 2.0983°W, 690 m a.s.l, 21 April 2009, leg. FT2009, 1 ♂: (SMNG VNR14764-3).

Other material examined.Spain: Navarre province: Leitza, Ariz Mendiak, between area “Ustarleku” and “Karobieta”, above side stream to Gorriztaran; loamy and calcareous soil, 43.0778°N, 1.8775°W, 615 m a.s.l., 20 April 2009, leg. FT2009, grove of Castanea , pollard trees on the slope with Ranunculus ficaria , Daphne , Helleborus , Salvia , Rubus , Lathrea ; under leaves and bark of rotten trunk, 2 ♂♂, 3 ♀♀, 1 juv. ♂ (SMNG VNR14744-4), 1 ♂, 1 juv. ♂ (SMNG VNR16739-1), 1 ♀ (SMNG VNR14746-5), 1 ♀ (SMNG VNR17128-8); 100 meters down to a meadow along the way, 1 ♀ (SMNG VNR17126-4); Alnus wood along stream, under bark of standing dead wood, 2 ♀♀, 1 juv. ♀ (SMNG VNR14752-1); with Carpinus betulus, Corylus , Fagus , Sambucus, 1 ♀ (SMNG VNR17129-3). - Leitza, Ariz Mendiak, between area “Ustarleku” and “Karobieta”, next to road NA 4150 to Goizueta; on a slope with Fagus , Corylus , under a dead, mossy tree trunk, 43.09092°N, 1.86613°W, 593 m a.s.l., 20 April 2009, leg. FT2009, 2 ♀♀ (SMNG VNR17131-3). - Sierra de Aralar, south of Errazkin, north of area "Axkarateko Malkorra", young Fagus and old big Quercus , Ilex , Ruscus , Hedera helix , in leaf litter, 42.9972°N, 1.9703°W, 630 m a.s.l., 21 April 2009, leg. FT2009, 2 juv. ♂♂ (SMNG VNR14757-6), 1 ♂, 1 ♀ (SMNG VNR14758-3; SMNG VNR14813-1), 1 ♂, 1 ♀ (SMNG VNR17133-9). - Sierra de Aralar, south Baraibar, on road NA-7510 to Santuario de San Migel, at area “Izáin”, karst area with deep grykes and bare limestone rocks, Fagus woodland and some Crataegus bushes, in leaf litter, partly sieved out, 42.9714°N, 1.9384°W, 790 m a.s.l., 22 April 2009, leg. FT2009, 1 ♀ (SMNG VNR14770-12), 1 ♀ (SMNG VNR14771-6). - Sierra de San Miguel, mountain point Artxueta at radio mast, karst area with bare limestone rocks, grove of low growing Fagus , in litter and under bark, 42.9525°N, 1.9668°W, 1300 m a.s.l., 22 April 2009, leg. FT2009, 3 ♂♂, 1 ♀ (SMNG VNR14773-1). - Sierra de Urbasa, road NA-718 from Olazi / Olazagutía to Estella, at the end of the hairpin curves, under the bark of a very large old beech with a lot of moos; limestone, 42.86031°N, 2.18055°W, 888 m a.s.l., 23 April 2009, leg. FT2009, 1 ♂, 1 ♀ (SMNG VNR17135-4). - Sierra de Urbasa, 1 km east of road junction to road NA-7182 at site “Bentakaita”, Fagus forest with Prunus , Corydalis , Mercurialis , Erythronium ; in leaf litter, 42.8540°N, 2.1595°W, 890 m a.s.l., 23 April 2009, leg. FT2009, 1 ♂ (SMNG VNR16734-1), 1 ♂ (SMNG VNR17136-4). - Urroz, hayedo [beech forest], 25 September 1995, leg. Javier Sáenz de Cabezón, 1 ♀ (MZNA MZ-19951125 a). - Imbuluzqueta, tocón [stub], 21 February 1993, 2 ♂♂, 4 ♀♀ (MZNA MZ-19931121a). - Eguaras, Vedado de, Quercus coccifera , 10 January 1980, leg. R. Jordana, 1 juv. ♀ (MZNA VE1041AS). - Irati, suelo de hayedo [floor of beech forest], 17 September 1982, leg. J. Barace, 1 ♀ (MZNA MZ-19820917, Salinas 1990). - Velate, hayedo [beech forest], 25 September 1995, leg. Javier Sáenz de Cabezón, 1 ♂ (MZNA MZ-19951125). - Lagos de Urroz, hayedo [beech forest], 25 September 1995, leg. Javier Sáenz de Cabezón, 1 ♀ (MZNA MZ-19951125 a). - Tirapegui, tocón [stub], 21 February 1993, 3 ♂♂, 1 ♀ (MZNA MZ-19931121 b). - Aquerreta, corteza [bark], 15 January 1994, 1 ♂, 6 ♀♀ (MZNA MZ- 19940119a). - Quinto Real, 29 June 1977, 1 juv. ♀ (MZNA MZ-19770629d, Barace and Herrera 1980). - Quinto Real, carretera [road], 11 May 1977, leg. R. Jordana, 1 ♀ (MZNA MZ-19770511d, Barace and Herrera 1980). - Quinto Real, tocón [stub], 4 August 1977, leg. Vierna, 4 ♂♂ (MZNA MZ-19770804e, Barace and Herrera 1982). - Quinto Real, carretera [road], 11 May 1977, 1 ♂ (MZNA MZ-19770511d, Barace and Herrera 1980). - Quinto Real, pinar [pine forest], 14 September 1977, 1 ♂ (MZNA MZ-19770914, Barace and Herrera 1980). - Quinto Real, 24 November 1976, leg. Labiano, 1 ♂ (MZNA MZ-19761124a, Barace and Herrera 1980). - Quinto Real, 29 June 1977, leg. Monreal, 1 ♂ (MZNA MZ-19770629d, Barace and Herrera 1980). - Quinto Real, pinar [pine forest], 14 September 1977, 1 ♀ (MZNA MZ-19770914, Barace and Herrera 1980). - Quinto Real, pinar [pine forest], 14 September 1977, 1 ♀ (MZNA MZ-19770914, Barace and Herrera 1980). - Quinto Real, corteza de haya [bark of beech], 3 September 1977, leg. J. Barace, 1 ♂ (MZNA MZ-19770903 d, Barace and Herrera 1980). - Quinto Real, pinar [pine forest], 14 September 1977, 1 ♂ (MZNA MZ-19770914, Barace and Herrera 1982). - Quinto Real, corteza [bark], 29 June 1977, 1 ♂ (MZNA MZ-19770629 e, Barace and Herrera 1980). - Quinto Real, corteza [bark], 29 June 1977, 1 (juv.?) ♀ (MZNA MZ-19770629 e, Barace and Herrera 1980). - Quinto Real, tocón [stub], 4 August 1977, 1 ♀ (MZNA MZ-19770804 f, Barace and Herrera 1980). - Quinto Real, tocón [stub], 16 March 1977, leg. Labiano, 1 ♀ (MZNA MZ-19770316 b, Barace and Herrera 1980). Spain: Gipuzkoa province: Sierra de Aralar, Beasain, road from Lazkao to Etxarri-Aranaz, west of the Pass Puerto de Lizarrusti, forest of Fagus , in leaf litter, 42.9572°N, 2.1122°W, 550 m a.s.l., 21 April 2009, leg. FT2009, 1 ♂ (SMNG VNR14763-9), 1 juv. ♂ (SMNG VNR14763-11). - Natural Park Aizkorri-Aratz, near Onati; close to the monastery Arantzazu, beechwood in limestone with Ilex , Fagus , Rubus fructicosus, Hedera , Larix, Helleborus , under bark of a dead tree trunk, 42.97766°N, 2.38989°W, 850 m a.s.l., 24 April 2009, leg. FT2009, 1 ♀ (SMNG VNR17139-5). - Natural Park Aizkorri-Aratz, Sierra de Urquilla, Montes de Altzania, south of mountain chain Aikorriko Mendikatea, south west of Mountain Aitzgorri, northwest Zumarraundi, high plain Alizania, north of Portua Zarra, karst plain with small growing trees of Fagus and open grasslands, 42.9354°N, 2.3298°W, 1160 m a.s.l., 24 April 2009, leg. FT2009, 1 ♂, 1 ♀, 1 juv. ♂, 1 juv. ♀ (SMNG VNR14786-3), 1 ♂, 1 ♀ (SMNG VNR14828-3), 1 ♂ (SMNG VNR14791-5). - Natural Park Aizkorri-Aratz, Sierra de Urquilla, near Zumaraundi, deep doline with creek discharge near cave entry; much leaf litter; sieved from Fagus leaves 42.9241°N, 2.3224°W, 980 m a.s.l., 24 April 2009, leg. FT2009, 1 juv. ♂ (SMNG VNR14793-5).

Description.

Habitus. Slightly fusiform, widest around tergite 10 (Fig. 12A).

Colour. General body colouration varies from pale and light buff (most individuals), through yellow ochre to tawny olive (Fig. 12A). Mostly last third of the body and usually also the head a little darker. Head light yellow ochre, sometimes darker in front and around the ocellar area. Last antennal articles yellowish. Some or all tergites more or less darker on posterior margin. Most specimens are paler than L. crassipes .

Length. 6.4-11.0 mm (Fig. 2, Table 2).

Head. Head roundish, mostly as broad as long or little broader than long and head broader or as broad as T5. Head length 0.6-1.08 mm (Fig. 3, Table 4).

Antennae. 20 antennal articles, short and stout, 1.6-3.2 mm long, 2.6 times longer than head (Figs 4, 13A, Table 6).

Ocelli. 5 to 11 ocelli on each side of the head, mostly 8 or 9, rarely 5 or 11, arranged in two or three rows (Fig. 5, Table 8), posteriorly with one greater, longitudinally oval ocellus, clearly separated from the others. The most common arrangements (n = 47) are 1 + 4, 3 (21 %), 1 + 4, 3, 1 (14 %) and 1 + 4, 3, 2 (14 %). There is no significant difference between males and females in number and arrangement. In 54 % the number of ocelli differs between right and left side in one or two ocelli.

Coxosternum. Anterior border with 2+2 teeth, upper part slender, acuminate, lateral borders without shoulders. Middle notch narrow to moderate width. Sometimes coxosternum slenderer and the middle notch narrower (Fig. 14A).

Tergites. Surface slightly rough, glossy. Posterior border of T1 feebly concave or straight, T3 to T5 feebly concave, T8 to T15 distinctly concave, T16 feebly to dis tinctly concave. Posterior angles of T9, T11 and T13 mostly obtuse or rounded with no trace of lobes or triangular projections.

Legs. Tarsus and metatarsus fused on legpair 1 to 11. On legpair 12 and 13 the tarsal-metatarsal articulation is indistinct. Penultimate and ultimate legpairs (14, 15) are densely covered with pores. Last two legpairs are thickened in both sexes, much more so in males. Without accessory apical claw on legpair 15.

Legpair 15 tibia of males with a more setiferous depression (fossa), which is distinct and well-developed in specimens in later developmental stages (Fig. 15A), in younger developmental stages only indicated. The depression starts more or less in the half of the tibia (55-75 % of tibia length) and reaches nearly up to the end of the tibia (88-93 % of tibia length) and has a relative length of about 30 to 40 % of tibia (n = 28).

Coxal pores. Round, 2-4 (sometimes 5) pores on each coxa (Fig. 6, Table 9). Mostly 2, 3, 3, 2 or 3, 3, 3, 2 (coxae 15-12) with the highest observed number of 4, 5, 4, 3 in a female (Table 15).

Plectrotaxy. The plectrotaxy of legs of L. crassipesoides sp. n. is given in Table 16. It differs from L. crassipes in the absence of a DaP spine up to legpair 11, DaP very rarely present on legpair 12, rarely present on legpair 13 to 14, while almost always present in L. crassipes on legpair 10 to 15, frequently on legpair 9, rarely also on legpair 7 and 8 or only on legpair 11 to 15 (Table 17).

Male gonopods. Uni-articulated.

Female gonopods. Basal article with two conical spurs on each side, their apical edge serrated (Fig. 16A). With 5-9 ventrolateral setae with nearly the same length. No dorsomedial setae. One specimen (SMNG VNR14770) with two minute setae. Article II with 4-6 dorsolateral setae, stout, straight and fairly long, evenly distributed over the whole length of the article. Ventrolaterally with 4-6 setae without characteristic arrangement. Article III with 1 dorsolateral seta, 1 ventrolateral, 1 ventral and 2 ventromedial setae. Claw tridentated, dorsal denticle longer than the ventral denticle. At high magnification (SEM) with distinct pores of glandulae.

Distribution.

So far only known from Navarre and Gipuzkoa provinces, northern Spain (Fig. 17). Some records are only a few kilometers from the French border. L. crassipesoides sp. n. is therefore expected also in the Western Pyrenees in France.

Habitat.

The species was mostly found in the leaf litter and under the bark of dead wood in mountain deciduous forests from 550 to 1300 m a.s.l.

Remarks.

L. crassipes was recorded from the Navarre region from Irati ( Salinas 1990) and several locations near Quinto Real ( Barace and Herrera 1980, 1982). Barace and Herrera (1980) also gave a brief description of 12 males and eight females. Most of the material studied by Barace and Herrera (1980, 1982) and Salinas (1990) was available for re-examination at MZNA (38 specimens) and was confirmed to be L. crassipesoides sp. n. Therefore, all records of Barace and Herrera (1980, 1982) and Salinas (1990) of L. crassipes are hereby assigned to L. crassipesoides sp. n. Finally, as mentioned above, the description of Serra (1980) for L. crassipes is possibly composite and perhaps partially concerns L. crassipesoides sp. n.