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
B. nyathi
sp. n.
Mwabvu
Fig. 8
Type
material (examined):
Holotype
:
ZIMBABWE
: 1 ɗ, Mudzwiru River [2030B4],
4.ii.1994
, F.
Nyathi
(NMZ/D747)
Etymology: Named after Mr Francis
Nyathi
(Natural History Museum, Bulawayo,
Zimbabwe
) in recognition of his contribution to the collection and study of invertebrates in
Zimbabwe
.
Diagnosis
: Apical telocoxite with a lateral and median process resulting in an oval shape (
Fig. 8
a); subapically, the median leaf has a raised subapical process (
Fig. 8b
). A laterally deflected aboral lateral leaf lobe, more tapered than rounded, is present (
Fig. 8b
).
FIGURE 8.
B. nyathi
sp. nov.
(NMZ/D747).
a,
oral view of gonopods;
b,
aboral view of gonopods;
c
, oral view of prefemoral lobe of first pair of male legs;
d,
lateral view of collum.
Abbreviations: cf, collum fold; fl, femoral lobe; llb, lateral leaf lobe; lp, lateral process; ml, median leaf; mp, median process; pc, paracoxite; pfl, prefemoral lobe; tp, telopodite.
Description:
Size
: Body length
115 mm
; minimum and maximum body width 4–5 and
6–7 mm
; antenna length
5–6 mm
.
Number of body rings
: 52
Colour
: Body black; legs and antennae brown.
Collum
: With three complete folds and an incomplete fold (
Fig. 8
d).
Pre-femoral process of 1st pair of male legs
: Subtriangular, proximally parallel, with a rounded tip (
Fig. 8
c).
Sigilla
on body ring
: Three irregular rows, reduced to one ventrally.
Gonopod
: Orally, apical telocoxite oval. A median process is present, directed distally, not overlapping the opposite one. Aborally, apex of median leaf slightly raised (
Fig.8b
). An aboral, lateral leaf lobe extending from apical telocoxite (below the level of the apex of the median leaf) deflected laterally, more tapered than rounded. The telopodite forms an incomplete loop distally (
Fig. 8
a)
Distribution: Known from Mudzwiru River, south of Gweru,
Zimbabwe
(
Fig. 10
). Specimen found under a granite rock.
Remarks: The apical telocoxite is oval and simple, unlike other species. However, it resembles
matopoensis
,
nigerrimus
,
friendi
,
gokwensis
and
brincki
by having an aboral lobe on the lateral leaf. However, in
nyathi
the lobe is smaller, deflected laterally and is more tapered than rounded.