Three new species of the Amazonian millipede genus Leptherpum (Polydesmida: Chelodesmidae)

This study concerns the millipede genus Leptherpum Attems, 1931, which contains nine valid species distributed across the Amazonian rainforest of northeastern South America. The type species L. carinovatum (Attems, 1898) is reexamined based on the type material and high-resolution photographs, including the first scanning electron micrographs of this species. The following three new species are described: Leptherpum tialaura sp. nov. from the state of Pará, Brazil; Leptherpum battirolai sp. nov. from the state of Amazonas, Brazil; and Leptherpum buenovillegasi sp. nov. from the commune of Maripasoula, French Guiana. A brief review of Leptherpum taxonomy and geographic distribution is provided, along with a key to males.

Cladistic analysis and taxonomic review of the millipede tribe Arthrosolaenomeridini Hoffman, 1976 (Polydesmida: Chelodesmidae).

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.

A review of the millipede genus Rupidesmus Schubart, 1952 (Polydesmida: Chelodesmidae).

The chelodesmid genus Rupidesmus Schubart, 1952 is revised. Currently, the genus contains only Rupidesmus ruber Schubart, 1952, herein redescribed, and the new species Rupidesmus aclys n. sp., added. A revised diagnosis for the genus and a distribution map for the two species are provided.