Zinophora gracilis (Brandt, 1841) 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 : 242

Zinophora gracilis (Brandt, 1841) , comb. n.

Figs 2 , 97–104

Julus (Spirostreptus) gracilis Brandt, 1841: 108 ; Golovatch & Hoffman 2000.

Type material (not examined): Holotype: 1ơ. Material housed in the ZMRAS. The type locality was given only as ‘ Caput Bonae Spei’ ( Cape of Good Hope ) (Brandt 1841; Golovatch & Hoffman 2000), but is here fixed as Lesotho, Masite Mountain [2927CB].

Material examined: LESOTHO: 2ơ, Masite Mountain [2927CB], 15.ii.1930, J. Hewitt ( AMSA 6226 ); 1ơ, Maseru [2927AD], x.1966, J. Jaques ( NMSA 9629 ) .

Diagnosis: Telopodite with one simple, thin and distally directed femoral spine with slight curvature, not concealed under posterior telocoxal fold (Figs 97, 98). Thumb comprising two laminate plates, one saucer-shaped, broadening apically with dentate margin and other similar but with smooth margin (Fig. 100). Distal margin of anterior telocoxal fold higher than margin of posterior fold medially (Fig. 98). Distal margin of posterior telocoxal fold forming two crests (Fig. 97). Lateral margin of posterior telocoxal fold with orally curled, lateral protuberance with apical margin serrated (Figs 97, 99). Telocoxal spine prominent, triangular, apically acute and directed medially (Fig. 97).

Description:

Dimensions: Male, n = 1. Body width 5.6; collum width 5.6; body length 59.8; leg length 3.3; antenna length 4.1.

Number of segments: 44.

Colour: Head and clypeus brown. Collum light brown. Prozonites light brown with greyish tinge. Mesozonites light brown with greyish tinge. Metazonites brown to orange. Pre-anal ring grey and brown along margin. Legs and antennae brown.

First ozopore: Segment 5.

Collum: Anterior corner rounded and forming angle of about 90. One submarginal groove (Fig. 103).

Gonopods: Telopodite with one simple, thin, slightly curved and distally directed femoral spine, not concealed under posterior telocoxal fold (Figs 97, 98). Thumb with a saucershaped, laminate plate broadening apically with dentate margin and a smaller plate, but with smooth margin (Figs 100, 101). Pectinophore curved towards thumb. Second lamella a hyaline laminate plate broadening apically and curled back away from other apical elements (Fig. 100). Distal medial margin of anterior telocoxal fold with telocoxal spine directed medially then downwards (Fig. 97). Distal margin of anterior telocoxal fold raised above margin of posterior fold (Figs 97, 98). Margin of posterior telocoxal fold subtriangular medially, then sloping diagonally over anterior telocoxal fold, not concealing femoral and telocoxal spines. Distal margin of posterior telocoxal fold formed into two crests (Figs 97, 98). Lateral margin of posterior telocoxal fold with protuberance, curled orally, with serrated apical margin (Figs 98, 99).

Pre-anal ring: Caudal spine extending beyond margin of anal valve and upturned distally. Distribution: Known only from Lesotho, in the Maseru area ( Fig. 2 ).

Remarks: The type locality is uncertain. It is possible that the type material was not necessarily from the Cape, but was labelled as such because the entire South African region was commonly referred to as the Cape of Good Hope in the past. This species appears to be endemic to Lesotho.

Figures

Fig. 2. Distribution of southern African Zinophora species.