ABSTRACT
Somatic characters are shared by many Chelodesmidae groups, and generic placement and species identifications traditionally have been based on gonopodal morphology. Female genitalic characters have been largely neglected and are rarely photographed or illustrated. This is rather unfortunate as the morphology of female genitalia presents important characters and may be decisive for developing a more robust family classification. We describe the heretofore unknown female of Sandalodesmus araujoi (Schubart, 1946), previously known only from the male holotype collected in São Paulo, Brazil in December 1943; discuss the utility of female genitalic characters for species delineation in Sandalodesmus; and report the first case of a mass occurrence in the Chelodesmidae. While an attempt at a formal diagnosis of Sandalodesmus females based on genitalic characters is premature, the vulvar morphology of the three taxa examined in this study suggests that female genitalia are species-specific. Some characters (i.e., asymmetric valves, presence of digitiform projections and reduction of setae on the internal basal portion of the valves) are constant between the species, suggesting utility for generic-level delineation. Mass occurrences of millipedes are typically unpredictable and likely related to variations in environmental conditions and/or anthropogenic modifications of natural habitats. Although the mass occurrence of S. araujoi reported herein was only observed once, the event coincides with the mating period of millipedes during the rainy season in Brazil. On the other hand, the region where the species was found has been the target of intense urban development, including replacement of natural habitats with residential areas, which may have influenced its population dynamics.
Os caracteres somáticos são compartilhados por muitos grupos de Chelodesmidae, e o posicionamento genérico e as identificações de espécies tradicionalmente têm sido baseadas na morfologia do gonópodo. Carateres genitais das fêmeas foram amplamente negligenciados e raramente são fotografados ou ilustrados. Isso é lamentável, pois a morfologia da genitália feminina apresenta características importantes e pode ser decisiva para o desenvolvimento de uma classificação mais robusta. Neste trabalho, descrevemos a até então desconhecida fêmea de Sandalodesmus araujoi (Schubart, 1946)
ABSTRACT
In order to provide a reassessment of the Neotropical genus Pseudonannolene Silvestri, 1895, a cladistic analysis, biogeographic analysis, and taxonomic review were conducted in the present work. For the cladistic approach, 91 morphological characters were scored for 53 terminals as the ingroup and 10 as the outgroup. Three synapomorphies support the monophyly of the genus: presence of a longitudinal suture on the promentum, penial bases partially fused, and the internal branch of the gonopods surrounding the telopodite; and two homoplastic transformations: the lateral lobe of the collum densely striated and setae present up to the apical portion of the prefemoral process on the first leg-pair of males. The genus Pseudonannolene is recovered as sister-group of Epinannolene Brölemann, 1903 (Pseudonannoleninae). A total of 226 occurrence points were recorded for Pseudonannolene, with the majority of records from the Chacoan subregion, composed by Araucaria Forest, Atlantic, and Parana Forest provinces. The biogeographical searches using the Geographically explicit Event Model recovered two biogeographic reconstructions (cost of 79 000), with the vicariance events occurring more frequently in the deep clades, whereas sympatry and points of sympatry occurred in more inclusive clades. The first reconstruction recovered four vicariances, 13 sympatries, 4 points of sympatry, and 21 founder events, and the second reconstruction recovered four vicariances, 12–13 sympatries, 4–5 points of sympatry, and 21 founder events. The genus Pseudonannolene comprises 56 species, including 8 new species herein described: P. alata sp. nov., P. aurea sp. nov., P. bucculenta sp. nov., P. curvata sp. nov., P. granulata sp. nov., P. insularis sp. nov., P. morettii sp. nov., and P. nicolau sp. nov.; P. brevis Silvestri, 1902 and P. rugosetta Silvestri, 1897 are regarded as species inquirendae; a neotype of P. alegrensis Silvestri, 1897 is here proposed with male described for the first time. The following taxa are synonymized: P. canastra Gallo & Bichuette, 2020 and P. saguassu Iniesta & Ferreira, 2013 with P. ambuatinga Iniesta & Ferreira, 2013; P. marconii Iniesta & Ferreira, 2013 with P. longicornis (Porat, 1888); P. chaimowiczi Fontanetti, 1996, P. gogo Iniesta & Ferreira, 2013, P. rosineii Iniesta & Ferreira, 2014, P. taboa Iniesta & Ferreira, 2014, and P. longissima Iniesta & Ferreira, 2014 with P. microzoporus Mauriès, 1987; P. tricolor gracilis Brölemann, 1902 and P. tricolor rugosus Schubart, 1945 with P. tricolor Brölemann, 1902; P. auguralis Silvestri, 1902 with P. rocana Silvestri, 1902; and P. abbreviata Silvestri, 1902 with P. typica Silvestri, 1895. P. inops Brölemann, 1929 is proposed here as new status from P. bovei inops. A dichotomous identification key is presented to facilitate the species identification.
ABSTRACT
The Atlantic Forest is known for its richness and diversity of species. Nonetheless, the diversity of millipedes in the biome is still poorly known. In this work, the distribution and the faunal composition of millipedes of the family Spirostreptidae Brandt, 1833 (order Spirostreptida) from the Atlantic Forest are provided. A total of 159 occurrence points were compiled, and 59 species in 17 genera were listed. Gymnostreptus Brölemann, 1902 was recovered as the richest genus in the Atlantic Forest with 14 species and one subspecies. The species Plusioporus setiger (Brölemann, 1902) presented the highest number of records, with 22 occurrence points in at least 20 municipalities. A total of 35 species were recorded from only one municipality. Considering all the threats on the biome, this paper is important for our understanding of the Brazilian millipede fauna and can be useful to determine places that require valuations for collecting efforts and conservation policies.
ABSTRACT
Millipedes are well-known for their limited dispersal abilities with species restricted to mountains, islands, and patches of forest being important models for formulating and testing biogeographic hypotheses. The order Spirostreptida is composed of nearly 1300 species distributed across the Afrotropical, Oriental, and Neotropical regions. The order is divided into the suborders Cambalidea and Spirostreptidea with the families Pseudonannolenidae (Cambalidea) and Spirostreptidae (Spirostreptidea) occurring in Brazil. To date, there have been no studies on the biogeography of Neotropical Spirostreptida. We employed a multi-approach analysis with Parsimony Analysis of Endemicity, Endemicity Analysis, and Infomap, to detect areas of endemism and patterns of distribution of the order in Brazil. Six areas of endemism are proposed for the 133 Brazilian species: Northern Serra Geral, Southeastern mountain ranges, Cerrado and Atlantic Forest zone, Eastern Cerrado and Serra do Espinhaço, Pantanal, and Southern Amazon and Cerrado zone. Most endemic areas fall within the Atlantic Forest, which has been previously shown to be an important area of endemism for many invertebrate taxa. The richest biomes are the Atlantic Forest with 75 species and the Cerrado with 55 species, while the least rich biomes are the Caatinga with six species and the Pampa with three species. Although the southeastern region of Brazil has the highest species richness, it also has the highest concentration of threatened species. Based on International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) criteria, most Brazilian Spirostreptida are either endangered or critically endangered, with the highest concentration of endangered taxa occurring in the Atlantic Forest biome.
ABSTRACT
A new species of Chelodesmidae is described from northern Uruguay, Sandalodesmus joachimadisi n. sp. The new species differs from other congeners by particular features of the gonopods. Sandalodesmus joachimadisi n. sp. belongs to the iguazuensis species group. Photographs of the new species, data on its natural history and a geographic distribution map of all Sandalodesmus species are presented. A key to the species of Sandalodesmus is provided. The taxonomic relationships with other species of the genus are discussed.
Subject(s)
Arthropods , Animals , UruguayABSTRACT
A new genus and two new species of Chelodesmidae are described from two caves of the João Rodrigues river system in Bahia state, northeastern Brazil: Strongylosomides troglobius sp. nov. and Rotundotergum elevatum gen. nov., sp. nov. The former species differs from congeners primarily by the gonopods showing the prefemoral process strongly fused caudally along its basal half to the acropodite and, in showing such troglomorphic traits as a nearly unpigmented and fragile body with thin tegument, it seems the first troglobiont to be documented in the genus. Moreover, this new species seems to be so remarkably similar to Leptodesmus stercoriarius Schubart, 1956, from Minas Gerais state, that the following new combination is warranted: Strongylosomides stercoriarius (Schubart, 1956), comb. nov. ex Leptodesmus de Saussure, 1859. The new genus, Rotundotergum gen. nov., seems to be especially similar to Eucampesmella Schubart, 1955, but differs clearly by the absence of a secondary process on the gonopodal prefemoral process, coupled with the latter being unusually long and strongly separated from the acropodite. The type species R. elevatum sp. nov., being partly clearly pigmented, seems to be only troglophilic. The region generally supports a typical dry tropical climate, whereas the caves represent sites with high humidity, this being essential for the survival of these and other species. However, these habitats remain unprotected by Brazilian law, while the João Rodrigues River system is threatened by irrigation projects, potential limestone exploitation, asphalt and road widening or construction that pass across the system and can collapse the rock, and pollution of the subterranean drainage. We hope that the new species described here could help us protect their type localities and the João Rodrigues River system as a whole.
ABSTRACT
New records for the species Exallostreptus vanzolinii Hoffman, 1988 and Guaporeptus paradisius Hoffman, 1988, known only from the state of Rondônia, are made from the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil. Figures of gonopods, first and second leg-pair of males are provided. In addition, an updated list of 19 Spirostreptidae species from Mato Grosso is provided, with the species Plusioporus salvadorii, Trichogonostreptus (Oreastreptus) mattogrossensis, and Urostreptus tampiitauensis widely distributed in the state.
ABSTRACT
A new species of Chelodesmidae is described from northern Uruguay, Sandalodesmus joachimadisi n. sp. The new species differs from other congeners by particular features of the gonopods. Sandalodesmus joachimadisi n. sp. belongs to the iguazuensis species group. Photographs of the new species, data on its natural history and a geographic distribution map of all Sandalodesmus species are presented. A key to the species of Sandalodesmus is provided. The taxonomic relationships with other species of the genus are discussed.
ABSTRACT
The genus Rhicnosthetus Hoffman, 2006 is revisited. Two new species from state of Mato Grosso, Brazil are described: Rhicnosthetus chagasi sp. nov. and Rhicnosthetus penabarbosai sp. nov. In addition, a new record for R. rondoni Hoffman, 2006, a key to males and a distribution map of all species are included.
ABSTRACT
Chelodesmidae is one of the most diverse families belonging to the Polydesmida, comprising almost 800 described species distributed in 172 genera, 20 tribes and two subfamilies. Among the tribes within the Neotropical subfamily Chelodesminae, Arthrosolaenomeridini represents a very interesting group occurring in the Central-West region of Brazil. Currently the tribe contains three genera: Arthrosolaenomeris Schubart, 1943, Gangugia Schubart, 1947, and Angelodesmus Schubart, 1962. In this study, we conducted a cladistic analysis including 18 species of Arthrosolaenomeridini and 7 species of other associated Chelodesminae tribes as an outgroup. The matrix is composed of 64 morphological characters from which 39 are herein proposed for the first time. The data were analyzed under the parsimony criterion using TNT 1.5. Based on the results, Arthrosolaenomeridini was recovered as monophyletic with Macrocoxodesmini + Telonychopodini as sister group. Arthrosolaenomeris Schubart, 1943 and Gangugia Schubart, 1947 were recovered as monophyletics. The genus Angelodesmus Schubart, 1962 was recovered as paraphyletic and redefined as monotypic. The tribe is now composed of the genera Arthrosolaenomeris (6 spp.), Gangugia (6 spp.), Angelodesmus (monotypic), Abiliodesmus n. gen. (4 spp.) and Folcloredesmus n. gen. (monotypic). In addition, we conduct a taxonomic revision of the tribe Arthrosolaenomeridini providing detailed redescriptions, drawings, and distribution maps for all species and genera, including the two new genera and the ten new species proposed: Arthrosolaenomeris saci n. sp.; A. curupira n. sp.; A. caipora n. sp.; A. iara n. sp.; Gangugia boitata n. sp.; G. cuca n. sp.; G. boto n. sp.; G. mula n. sp.; Abiliodesmus mapinguari n. sp. and Folcloredesmus thomasi n. sp. Furthermore, we include an identification key to all the genera and species.
Subject(s)
Arthropods/classification , Animal Distribution , Animals , BrazilABSTRACT
Hoffmanopeltis gen. nov. (type species Leptodesmus ravus Schubart, 1956) is described to accommodate H. ravus (Schubart, 1956) comb. nov. and H. contiger sp. nov, from Cerrado-Atlantic Forest ecotone, southeastern Brazil. The new genus is compared with other genera of Chelodesmidae, in particular AtlantodesmusHoffman, 2000 and PlectrogonodesmusHoffman, 2012, based on the morphology of the acropodital region and solenomere. In addition, an updated list of species of Chelodesmidae recorded in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, is provided.
ABSTRACT
This study concerns the diplopod genus Eucampesmella Schubart, 1955, widespread in Brazil. After this work, the genus includes 12 valid species, and three incertae sedis: E. pugiuncula (Schubart, 1946), E. brunnea Kraus, 1959 and E. schubarti Kraus, 1957. The type-species, Eucampesmella tricuspis (Attems, 1931), is redescribed based on the holotype, and the following six new Brazilian species are added: Eucampesmella macunaima sp. nov. from the states of Rondônia, Pará, and Piauí; E. capitu sp. nov. from the states of Piauí and Paraíba; E. brascubas sp. nov. from the state of Sergipe; E. iracema sp. nov. from the state of Pernambuco; E. pedrobala sp. nov. from the state of Ceará; and E. lalla sp. nov. from the state of Rio Grande do Norte. Furthermore, E. lartiguei ferrii (Schubart, 1956) is recognized as a junior synonym of E. lartiguei lartiguei (Silvestri, 1897), which also had its status changed, and E. sulcata (Attems, 1898) is revalidated, prevailing under the name Leptodesmus tuberculiporus Attems, 1898. In addition, drawings, diagnoses, and distribution maps for all species of the genus are provided.
ABSTRACT
The genus Rhicnosthetus Hoffman, 2006 is revisited. Two new species from state of Mato Grosso, Brazil are described: Rhicnosthetus chagasi sp. nov. and Rhicnosthetus penabarbosai sp. nov. In addition, a new record for R. rondoni Hoffman, 2006, a key to males and a distribution map of all species are included.
ABSTRACT
Chelodesmidae is one of the most diverse families belonging to the Polydesmida, comprising almost 800 described species distributed in 172 genera, 20 tribes and two subfamilies. Among the tribes within the Neotropical subfamily Chelodesminae, Arthrosolaenomeridini represents a very interesting group occurring in the Central-West region of Brazil. Currently the tribe contains three genera: Arthrosolaenomeris Schubart, 1943, Gangugia Schubart, 1947, and Angelodesmus Schubart, 1962. In this study, we conducted a cladistic analysis including 18 species of Arthrosolaenomeridini and 7 species of other associated Chelodesminae tribes as an outgroup. The matrix is composed of 64 morphological characters from which 39 are herein proposed for the first time. The data were analyzed under the parsimony criterion using TNT 1.5. Based on the results, Arthrosolaenomeridini was recovered as monophyletic with Macrocoxodesmini + Telonychopodini as sister group. Arthrosolaenomeris Schubart, 1943 and Gangugia Schubart, 1947 were recovered as monophyletics. The genus Angelodesmus Schubart, 1962 was recovered as paraphyletic and redefined as monotypic. The tribe is now composed of the genera Arthrosolaenomeris (6 spp.), Gangugia (6 spp.), Angelodesmus (monotypic), Abiliodesmus n. gen. (4 spp.) and Folcloredesmus n. gen. (monotypic). In addition, we conduct a taxonomic revision of the tribe Arthrosolaenomeridini providing detailed redescriptions, drawings, and distribution maps for all species and genera, including the two new genera and the ten new species proposed: Arthrosolaenomeris saci n. sp.; A. curupira n. sp.; A. caipora n. sp.; A. iara n. sp.; Gangugia boitata n. sp.; G. cuca n. sp.; G. boto n. sp.; G. mula n. sp.; Abiliodesmus mapinguari n. sp. and Folcloredesmus thomasi n. sp. Furthermore, we include an identification key to all the genera and species.
ABSTRACT
The millipede Oxidus gracilis (C. L. Koch, 1847) is a cosmopolitan introduced species largely recorded in the southeast region of Brazil. The species is considered an agricultural pest with records in poly- or monocultures, and its influence on native communities of plants and invertebrates is still unknown in Brazil. From this perspective, a maximum entropy model was used to explore the predicted distribution of O. gracilis in Brazil. The results showed a highly suitable area in Atlantic Forest (AUC = 0.949 ± 0.02). Considering percent contribution, annual mean temperature (= 54.9) was the main variable which has influenced the modeling. The potentially suitable areas recovered in Atlantic Forest suggest that attention should be given to its possible invasion and the potential damage of O. gracilis to natural communities.
ABSTRACT
The genus Holopodostreptus Carl, 1913 is a poorly known monotypic genus endemic to Ecuador. It differs from most other Pseudonannolenidae by a set of characteristics of the gnathochilarium and gonopods. Herein, we provide descriptive notes of males of H. braueri Carl, 1913 based on recently collected material. Females of the species are described for the first time, and images of the vulvae are provided. In addition, we attempt for the first time to place Holopodostreptus in a phylogenetic context. With a total of 14 taxa and 41 morphological characters, and under implied weighting (k = 6), a single most-parsimonious tree is recovered (total fit = 35.86). The genus is recovered as sister-group of Physiostreptus Silvestri, 1903. The clade Holopodostreptus + Physiostreptus is supported by one synapomorphy (absence of setae on the prefemoral process of leg-pair 1 in males) and one homoplastic transformation (narrow telopodite). Based on the phylogenetic results, notes on the subfamilies Pseudonannoleninae, Cambalomminae and Physiostreptinae and a key for all pseudonannolenid genera are provided.
ABSTRACT
Erythraeidae Robineau-Desvoidy has 60 genera worldwide, of which Leptus Latreille has around 260 species described, with 15 of these recorded from Brazil. Here, we describe Leptus (Leptus) flechtmanni sp. n. from a cave in the state of Pará. Additional material attributed to this species is reported from other caves and also parasitizing a harvestman. In addition, SEM images and new Brazilian host records (Diplopoda and Hemiptera) are presented for Leptus (Leptus) haitlingeri from the states of São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.
ABSTRACT
Erythraeidae Robineau-Desvoidy has 60 genera worldwide, of which Leptus Latreille has around 260 species described, with 15 of these recorded from Brazil. Here, we describe Leptus (Leptus) flechtmanni sp. n. from a cave in the state of Pará. Additional material attributed to this species is reported from other caves and also parasitizing a harvestman. In addition, SEM images and new Brazilian host records (Diplopoda and Hemiptera) are presented for Leptus (Leptus) haitlingeri from the states of São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.
ABSTRACT
The South American genus Heteropyge Silvestri, 1897 is revised, accommodating now six accepted species. Adults of the poorly known species Heteropyge araguayensis (Schubart, 1947) are described for the first time from near-topotypic material collected near the Araguaia River, state of Mato Grosso, Brazil. In addition, based on recent samplings and on material from Schubart’s collection, H. bidens (Schubart, 1945) is removed from the synonymy of H. cayennophilus (Silvestri, 1897) and revalidated. Both species show significant differences concerning the gonopods and male leg-pair 1. New records and additional data for H. bidens and H. cayennophilus are provided, as well as an updated checklist of the species belonging to Heteropyge.
O gênero sulamericano Heteropyge Silvestri, 1897 é revisado, acomodando agora seis espécies aceitas. Adultos da espécie pouco conhecida Heteropyge araguayensis (Schubart, 1947) são descritos pela primeira vez a partir de material coletado próximo ao rio Araguaia, Mato Grosso, Brasil. Além disso, baseado em amostras recentes e materiais da coleção de Schubart, H. bidens (Schubart, 1945) é removida como sinônimo de H. cayennophilus (Silvestri, 1897), e assim revalidada. Ambas espécies apresentam significantes diferenças em relação a morfologia dos gonopódios e do primeiro par de pernas dos machos. Novos registros e dados adicionais para H. bidens e H. cayennophilus são fornecidos, além de uma lista atual de espécies para o gênero Heteropyge.
ABSTRACT
The Amazonian genus Parastenonia Hoffman, 1977 is here revised. The species P. carajas sp. nov. is described from Brazilian iron-ore caves and P. aurae (Schubart, 1947) is considered junior synonym of P. parae (Cook, 1895). In addition, the known geographic distribution of the genus is presented with the inclusion of new occurrence data.
