Zinophora punctata (Attems, 1928)

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 : 257-259

Zinophora punctata (Attems, 1928)

Figs 3 , 153–162

Poratophilus punctatus Attems, 1928: 378 .

Philoporatia punctata ; Lawrence 1965.

Poratophilus (Philoporatia) punctatus ; Schubart 1966.

Zinophora punctata ; Demange 1983; Hamer 1998.

Type material (examined): SOUTH AFRICA: Eastern Cape: 1ơ, Dunbrody, Sundays River [3325BC, 1902, J.A. O’Neil (SAM-ENW-X007376), damaged.

Additional material examined: SOUTH AFRICA: Eastern Cape: 1ơ, Port Elizabeth, Dunbrody [3325BC], 5.xii.1925, Rev. K. Jasman ( NMSA 18642 ex NMSA 5193 ) ; 1ơ, Pearston [3225CA], iii.1962, R. F. Lawrence ( NMSA 8274 ) ; 1ơ, Victoria West ( SE 3123 ) , ix–xii.1983 ( NMBA 12444 ) ; 1ơ, Cradock (SE 3225 BA), x–xii.1985 ( NMBA 12477 ) ; 1ơ, Baviaanskloof, Kougaberg (33˚ 40.076S:24˚ 12.682E), in grassy Fynbos with lots of rock and stone, 10.x.2000, D. Herbert ( NMSA 18919 ) . Northern Cape: 1ơ, 4 km north of De Aar (30.62453˚S:23.95088˚E), after rain, 13.xii.2001, G. Redman ( NMSA 19188 ) ; 1ơ, 4 km north of De Aar (30.62453˚S:23.95088˚E), after rain, 13.xii.2001, G. Redman ( NMSA 19197 ) ; 1ơ, 10 km north of Britstown (30.48998˚S:23.42636˚E), 13.xii.2001, G. Redman ( NMSA 19187 ) ; 2ơ5^, 30 km north of Britstown between Prieska and Britstown (30.41179˚S:23.32115˚E), 13.xii.2001, G. Redman ( NMSA 19186 ) ; 1ơ, Doornkloof Nature Reserve (30.29053˚S:24.96191˚E), 14.xii.2001, G. Redman ( NMSA 19198 ) ; 1ơ, Doornkloof Nature Reserve (30.2922˚S:24.96422˚E), east of research hut on road to dam, 14.xii.2001, G. Redman ( NMSA 19189 ) .

Diagnosis: Femoral spine slender, at least half as long as gonopod, falcate and directed medially and basally, not concealed under posterior telocoxal fold ( Figs 153, 156 ). Thumb comprising two concave laminate plates, with one of these dentate ( Fig.158 ). Distal margin of posterior telocoxal fold with two blunt cusps and a lateral projection ( Fig. 156 ). Between two cusps distal end of anterior telocoxal fold protrudes in form of a third cusp ( Figs 156, 160 ). Posterior telocoxal fold not extending beyond and not concealing telocoxal spines medially ( Figs 156, 160 ). Telocoxal spine with broad base but apically acute, directed aborally then medially ( Fig. 160 ).

Description:

Dimensions: Males, n = 12; females, n = 5. Body width 5.2, 5.1–8.9 [6.5], female 7.9– 11.2 [9.5]; collum width 5.5, 5.0–8.0 [6.3], female 7.0–10.0 [8.5], body length 61.0, 57.0–110.0 [76.8], female 64.0–115.0 [85.2]; leg length 3.4, 3.4–4.9, female 3.6–4.6; antenna length 4.0, 4.0–6.3 [4.8], female 4.9–6.0 [5.5].

Number of segments: 46, 42–49 [46], female 46–51 [48].

Colour: Head and clypeus brown. Collum brown, anterior margin light brown. Prozonites light brown with greyish tinge, mesozonites light brown, and metazonites brown. Anal valve brown, with light brown margin.Caudal spine brown.Legs and antennae light brown. First ozopore: Segment 5.

Collum: Anterior corner moderately produced. One submarginal groove ( Fig. 162 ).

Gonopods: Telopodite with one long, falcate femoral spine emerging from flexure of telopodite. Femoral spine not concealed under posterior telocoxal fold, but directed towards proximal end of gonopods and overlapping opposite gonopod ( Figs 153, 156 ). Pectinophore with about six long setiform projections embedded in hyaline plate. Thumb comprising two concave laminate plates, one of these dentate ( Fig. 158 ). Second lamella a laminate plate broadening apically and curled away from other apical elements ( Fig. 158 ). Telocoxal spine with broad base, directed aborally, then medially and overlapping spine from opposite gonopod medially ( Figs 156, 160 ). Distal margin of posterior telocoxal fold with two blunt cusps and lateral margin with an angular projection ( Fig. 156 ). Between two cusps of posterior telocoxal fold, distal end of anterior telocoxal fold protrudes in form of a third cusp ( Fig. 156 ). Posterior telocoxal fold not extending beyond and not concealing telocoxal spines medially ( Figs 156, 160 ).

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

Distribution: Recorded from the Eastern Cape and the Northern Cape ( Fig. 3 ).

Remarks: There is variation in the shape of the telocoxites and apical elements of the telopodites. In some specimens ( Fig. 157 ) the dorsal surface of the telocoxal spine/distal margin of the anterior telocoxal fold is dentate. There is some variation in the shape and prominence of the cusps on the distal margin of the posterior telocoxal fold. The length and angle of the femoral spines also vary slightly between specimens. An incomplete suture is visible in the syncoxosternum of the first pair of male legs.

Figures

Fig. 3. Distribution of southern African Zinophora species.

Figs 153–162. Zinophora punctata (Attems, 1928). 153. Aboral view of gonopod (NMSA 18642). 154– 155, 158–159, 161. Apical elements of telopodite, different orientations. 156–157, 160. Aboral view of gonopods. 156. NMBA 12477. 157. AMSA, no label. 160. NMSA 18919. 162. Lateral view of collum; arrow indicates anterior end of millipede. c = telocoxal spine; dp = distal processes; f = femoral spine; lp = lateral process of posterior telocoxal fold; p = pectinophore; sl = second lamella; t = thumb.