A taxonomic review of the southern African millipede genus, Bicoxidens Attems, 1928 (Diplopoda: Spirostreptida: Spirostreptidae), with the description of three new species and a tentative phylogeny Author Mwabvu, Tarombera Author Hamer, Michelle L. Author Slotow, Robert H. text Zootaxa 2007 1452 1 23 journal article 10.5281/zenodo.176282 fe89bad2-db11-4058-a77b-59dbc6714d89 1175-5326 176282 Genus Bicoxidens Attems, 1928
Bicoxidens Attems, 1926, 1928 ; Schubart, 1966; Demange 1971; Hoffman, 1971, 1979; Krabbe, 1982; Hamer, 1998;
Mwabvu, 2000, 2005
Rhodesiostreptus Schubart, 1966
Type Species: Bicoxidens nigerrimus Attems, 1928 Diagnosis : (after Attems, 1928 , with modifications) Anal valves with two furrows on either side of opening, innermost pair deeper and flanking opening, outer pair shallow. Width and depth of furrows varies. Apical part of the telocoxite enlarged with processes of various shapes and sizes. Apically (at point of telopodite exit from gonocoel) median leaf densely setose. Sternite conical; paracoxite basally rounded and tightly joined to lateral leaf ( Figs. 1 a, 2a, 3a, 4a, 5a, 6a, 7a, 8a). Telopodite slender and cylindrical without large lateral spines, apex with roundish lobe and an adjacent pointed side branch. Telopodite acutely bent at exit from gonocoel; post knee telopodite typically L-shaped with two distinct bends along its length ( Figs. 1 a, 2a, 3a, 4a, 5a, 6a, 7a, 8a). Telopodite abruptly narrowed at approximately mid-length and deflected medially at the level of paracoxites. Femur without femoral process and torsion. Femur, just before the curve of the canal, with one or two lobes. Distal regions of opposite telopodites overlap medially. Distribution : Africa south of the Zambezi River. Remarks : Bicoxidens is characterised by the form of the telopodite. Unlike other spirostreptid genera the telopodite is L-shaped (post knee), lacks a femoral process and spines, and the distal regions of opposite telopodites overlap medially.