An overview of the extant genera and subgenera of the order Scolopendromorpha (Chilopoda): a new identification key and updated diagnoses
Author
Schileyko, Arkady A.
schileyko1965@gmail.com
Author
Vahtera, Varpu
varpu.vahtera@gmail.com
Author
Edgecombe, Gregory D.
0000-0002-9591-8011
schileyko1965@gmail.com
text
Zootaxa
2020
2020-08-10
4825
1
1
64
journal article
8703
10.11646/zootaxa.4825.1.1
5ab5f5c8-481e-4d1a-8643-21e72c367278
1175-5326
4402145
F230F199-1C94-4E2E-9CE4-5F56212C015F
Subfamily
Kethopinae
Shelley, 2002
Diagnosis.
Antenna with normal trichoid sensilla, lacking collared sensilla. Anterior margin of forcipular trochantero-prefemur weakly sclerotized, without processes. LBS 7 without spiracles. Coxopleuron with a relatively short conical process. Ultimate legs cryptopiform sensu
Crabill (1960)
(in shape of a “pocket knife” sensu
Schileyko 2009
) i.e. shortened tibia and tarsus 1 with characteristic saw teeth, both these podomeres capable of flexure against each other and tarsus 2 forming a kind of clasping apparatus (
Figs 11, 12
). According to
Lewis (2016b)
at least ultimate tibia and tarsus 1 (in two of three species prefemur and femur as well) bear numerous, small and strongly curved spinous processes (
Fig. 12
) which are similar (and, apparently, homologous) to the typical cryptopid-type saw teeth of tibia and tarsus 1. Ultimate pretarsus claw-shaped.
Number of subtaxa.
2 genera.
Sexual dimorphism.
Unknown.
Range.
Central
California
, Northern
Utah
, Northern and Southern
New Mexico
(all
USA
)
.
Remarks.
Treated as a subfamily in
Edgecombe & Bonato (2011: 405)
,
Vahtera
et al.
(2013: 595)
,
Lewis (2016b: 26)
.
Edgecombe & Bonato (2011: 405)
erroneously stated that the ultimate prefemur in
Kethopinae
is “unarmed” (i.e. bears no spinous processes), but saw teeth are borne on the prefemur of both
Kethops utahensis
(Chamberlin, 1909)
and
Thalkethops grallatrix
Crabill, 1960
. The most recent account on this subfamily was given by
Lewis (2016b: 26–28)
who overviewed the scant available literature and wrote on page 28 that apart from
Chamberlin’s (1912)
“puzzling” drawing (
Fig. 11
), the only figures of the ultimate legs of
Kethopinae
are
Crabill’s (1958
,
1960
) figures of the tibia and tarsus 1 and 2 (
Fig. 12
). In fact, the real structure (and spinulation) of both the ultimate prefemur and femur of
Kethopinae
is ambiguous as there are no drawings of the ultimate legs among scant and schematic figures of
Shelley (2002: 78)
. In 2008 the third author studied one of Chamberlin’s specimens of
K. utahensis
, lacking the ultimate legs, from which novel anatomical details were depicted by SEM (
Fig. 13
, fig. 1AB in
Edgecombe & Koch 2009
, figs 2B, 6C in
Koch
et al
. 2010
).
(!)
Kethops
Chamberlin, 1912
Figs 11, 13
Type
species.
Newportia utahensis
Chamberlin, 1909
(by original designation).
Diagnosis.
Sternites distinctly margined by lateral longitudinal sutures, with both median and transverse sutures.
Number of species.
2.
Remarks.
Treated as a genus in
Edgecombe & Bonato (2011: 405)
,
Bonato
et al.
(2016)
,
Lewis (2016b: 26)
.
Chamberlin (1912: 156)
wrote that sternites are with “Usually two[!] or more weaker and more indefinite transverse sulci”; his corresponding fig. 5 also demonstrates not one but two transverse sutures, which is very unusual for scolopendromorphs.