[Diplopoda • 2024] Zephronia chantaburiensis & Z. macula • Integrative Taxonomy reveals Two New Giant Pill-millipedes of the Genus Zephronia Gray, 1832 (Sphaerotheriida: Zephroniidae) from eastern Thailand

 

Zephronia macula Srisonchai & Wesener,

in Srisonchai, Likhitrakarn, Sutcharit et Wesener, 2024.

กิ้งกือกระสุนลายด่าง  ||  DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1212.126536

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Abstract

A large amount of material of the millipede genus Zephronia Gray, 1832 was collected during 2014–2023 from many parts of eastern Thailand. An integrative study of morphological characters and genetic data (COI gene) revealed two new species: Z. chantaburiensis Srisonchai & Wesener, sp. nov. and Z. macula Srisonchai & Wesener, sp. nov. The two new species clearly differ from other congeners by their unique characteristics, especially in their colour pattern and telopod shape. The interspecific genetic distances of the 658 bp COI gene barcoding fragment between these new species and all other species of giant pill-millipede from Thailand, Laos and Cambodia are 12.01–23.49% for Z. chantaburiensis sp. nov. and 17.93–25.13% for Z. macula sp. nov. While relationships among species remain preliminary, the phylogenetic tree shows that species of Zephronia are interspersed with species of Sphaerobelum Verhoeff, 1924 and Prionobelum Verhoeff, 1924. Phylogenetic analyses place both new species in a clade termed Zephronia s.s., which receives support also from morphological data, showing a unique position of the organ of Tömösváry. Z. macula sp. nov. appears to occur over a broad distribution whereas Z. chantaburiensis sp. nov. was found only at the type locality. Given that all known records are in the eastern part of Thailand, we thus regard both species as endemic. Morphological illustrations based on SEM micrographs and a distribution map are also provided.

Key words: Biodiversity, limestone, Myriapoda, Southeast Asia, taxonomy

Photograph of live specimens of Zephronia chantaburiensis sp. nov. and habitats
A–F paratypes (CUMZ-MYR0014) G coexisting species (Z. macula sp. nov.) H granite habitat at the type locality.

Scale bars: 0.5 mm.

 Zephronia chantaburiensis Srisonchai & Wesener, sp. nov.

  กิ้งกือกระสุนจันทบุรี ค้นพบที่วัดเขาสุกิม จ.จันทบุรี

Diagnosis: The position of the organ of Tömösváry at the brim and not inside the antennal groove (Fig. 3B) identifies this species as a member of the Zephronia s.s. species group (see Semenyuk et al. 2018), with which it also aligns genetically (Fig. 1). This small brown species (body length ca 20 mm) with short golden hair (Fig. 2A–F) differs from all other Zephronia s.s. species, except for Z. macula sp. nov. found in direct sympatry, described below, in the presence of only a single apical spine on the tarsus of legs 4–21 (2 or 3 in the other species). Midbody endotergum with one row of marginal bristles with longest bristles reaching up to posterior margin, immovable finger (process) of telopoditomere 2 on anterior telopod relatively long and slender. Similar in these respects only to Z. macula sp. nov. but differs from the latter species by the tergite coloration lacking dark or greenish-dark colour spots, the operculum of the female being more slender, the femur of the walking legs being slightly wider than long (slightly longer than wide in Z. macula sp. nov.), and the female subanal plate having a strongly concave margin. Genetically distant from other species by 18.94–26.82% p-distance in the COI barcoding fragment.

Etymology: The name is an adjective referring to the province (Chantaburi) where the type locality is located.

Photograph of live specimens of Zephronia macula sp. nov. and habitats
A–G paratypes (CUMZ-MYR00016) H habitat at Thaeo Khlong Khlung monastery (granitic rocks) I habitat at Phet Pho Thong cave (limestone).

 Scale bars: 0.5 mm.

 Zephronia macula Srisonchai & Wesener, sp. nov.

 กิ้งกือกระสุนลายด่าง 

พบได้ในหลายพื้นที่ในภาคตะวันออกของประเทศไทย

Diagnosis: The position of the organ of Tömösváry in this small Zephronia with an axe-shaped antennomere 6 identifies Z. macula sp. nov. as a member of the Zephronia s.s. species-group (Semenyuk et al. 2018). Z. macula sp. nov. differs from all other known species of the group except for the syntopic Z. chantaburiensis sp. nov., in the presence of only a single apical spine on the tarsi of legs 4–21 (at least 2 or 3 in the other Zephronia). Z. macula sp. nov. differs from Z. chantaburiensis sp. nov. by having a combination of distinct characters, viz. tergite with dark or greenish dark spots, femur of walking legs less strongly widened, slightly longer than wide (wider than long in Z. chantaburiensis sp. nov.), bristles of midbody endotergum reaching to posterior margin, operculum of female vulva not protruding and round, and immovable finger (process) of telopoditomere 2 of the anterior telopod more curved and much longer. Genetically distant from others by a p-distance of the COI barcoding fragment of 17.93–25.13%.

Etymology: The name is a noun referring to the pattern of spots on the body.

Ruttapon Srisonchai, Natdanai Likhitrakarn, Chirasak Sutcharit and Thomas Wesener. 2024. Integrative Taxonomy reveals Two New Giant Pill-millipedes of the Genus Zephronia Gray, 1832 from eastern Thailand (Diplopoda, Sphaerotheriida, Zephroniidae). ZooKeys. 1212: 29-64. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1212.126536

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[Diplopoda • 2024] Hyleoglomeris bomba, H. dracosphaera, H. krasoon, etc. • Six New Species of the Pill Millipede Genus Hyleoglomeris Verhoeff, 1910 (Glomerida: Glomeridae) in Thailand revealed by DNA-barcoding

 

Hyleoglomeris dracosphaera Likhitrakarn, Sutcharit & Panha,

in Likhitrakarn, Jeratthitikul, Sapparojpattana, Siriwut, Srisonchai, Jirapatrasilp, Seesamut, Poolprasert, Panha et Sutcharit, 2024.  

DOI: 10.1163/18759866-bja10062 

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Abstract

Thai species of the pill millipede genus Hyleoglomeris Verhoeff, 1910 are reviewed, and an annotated catalogue is provided. Six new species from Thailand are described and illustrated based on morphological characteristics and molecular analyses: H. dracosphaera sp. n., H. nigromaculata sp. n., H. suwannakhuhensis sp. n., H. bomba sp. n., H. tongkerdae sp. n., and H. krasoon sp. n. They are morphologically similar, yet all can be separated based on their characteristic colour patterns, telopod structures and geographic distributions. Genetic differences in the dna barcode region confirm their full species statuses, with interspecific coi p-distances ranging from 9.01% to 16.51% dissimilarity. We also propose the following new synonym: H. hongkhraiensis Likhitrakarn, Golovatch & Panha, 2015 = H. cavicola Likhitrakarn, Golovatch & Panha, 2015 syn. n. This is based on the low genetic divergence observed between these two taxa (2.34% coi p-distance). A new distribution map of and a key to all Hyleoglomeris species presently known to occur in Thailand are also provided.

Keywords: Hyleoglomeris; key; millipede; new species; taxonomy; Thailand

Hyleoglomeris dracosphaera Likhitrakarn, Sutcharit & Panha, sp. n.

Name. To emphasize the orange body which, when rolled up into a sphere, resembles Dragon Balls, the magical artifacts in the Japanese manga and anime series Dragon Ball; adjective in feminine gender.

Hyleoglomeris nigromaculata Likhitrakarn, Sutcharit & Panha, sp. n.

Name. To emphasize the dark spots on the dorsum, adjective in feminine gender.

Hyleoglomeris suwannakhuhensis Likhitrakarn, Sutcharit & Panha, sp. n.

Name. To emphasize the type locality [Nong Bua Lamphu Province, Suwannakhuha District], adjective in feminine gender.

Hyleoglomeris bomba Likhitrakarn, Sutcharit & Panha, sp. n.

Name. To emphasize the body coloration with contrasting black and yellow bands, resembling the typical color pattern of a bumblebee of the genus Bombus, a noun in feminine gender.

Hyleoglomeris tongkerdae Likhitrakarn, Sutcharit & Panha, sp. n.

Name. To honour Assistant Professor Dr. Piyoros Tongkerd, malacologist and lecturer at the Faculty of Science at Chulalongkorn University, who participated in collecting many millipede specimens, including the type series of this new species.

Hyleoglomeris krasoon Likhitrakarn, Sutcharit & Panha, sp. n.

Name. To emphasize the word “krasoon” from the compound word “kingkeu krasoon” which means “pill millipede” in Thai, a noun in apposition.

 

Natdanai Likhitrakarn, Ekgachai Jeratthitikul, Pichsinee Sapparojpattana, Warut Siriwut, Ruttapon Srisonchai, Parin Jirapatrasilp, Teerapong Seesamut, Pisit Poolprasert, Somsak Panha, and Chirasak Sutcharit. 2024. Six New Species of the Pill Millipede Genus Hyleoglomeris Verhoeff, 1910 (Diplopoda, Glomerida, Glomeridae) in Thailand revealed by DNA-barcoding.  Contributions to Zoology. DOI: 10.1163/18759866-bja10062

  Researchgate.net/publication/380220558_Six_new_species_of_Hyleoglomeris_in_Thailand

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กิ้งกือกระสุนส้มดราก้อนบอลล์ 𝐻𝑦𝑙𝑒𝑜𝑔𝑙𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑠 𝑑𝑟𝑎𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑝ℎ𝑎𝑒𝑟𝑎 Likhitrakarn, Sutcharit & Panha, 2024 

(draco = dragon มังกร, sphaera = sphere ทรงกลม) 

ค้นพบที่ถ้ำผาท่าพล อ.เนินมะปราง จ.พิษณุโลก 

กิ้งกือกระสุนน้อยลายจุดดำ 𝐻𝑦𝑙𝑒𝑜𝑔𝑙𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑠 𝑛𝑖𝑔𝑟𝑜𝑚𝑎𝑐𝑢𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑎 Likhitrakarn, Sutcharit & Panha, 2024 

ค้นพบที่นอกถ้ำเวฬุวัน อ.ด่านช้าง จ.สุพรรณบุรี

กิ้งกือกระสุนน้อยสุวรรณคูหา 𝐻𝑦𝑙𝑒𝑜𝑔𝑙𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑠 𝑠𝑢𝑤𝑎𝑛𝑛𝑎𝑘ℎ𝑢ℎ𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑠 Likhitrakarn, Sutcharit & Panha, 2024 

ค้นพบที่นอกถ้ำในวัดถ้ำภูผาธรรมสถิต อ.สุวรรณคูหา จ.หนองบัวลำภู

กิ้งกือกระสุนน้อยลายผึ้ง 𝐻𝑦𝑙𝑒𝑜𝑔𝑙𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑠 𝑏𝑜𝑚𝑏𝑎 Likhitrakarn, Sutcharit & Panha, 2024 

ค้นพบที่นอกถ้ำในวัดถ้ำพระผาคอก อ.เวียงชัย จ.เชียงราย

กิ้งกือกระสุนน้อยทองเกิด 𝐻𝑦𝑙𝑒𝑜𝑔𝑙𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑠 𝑡𝑜𝑛𝑔𝑘𝑒𝑟𝑑𝑎𝑒 Likhitrakarn, Sutcharit & Panha, 2024 

ตั้งชื่อเป็นเกียรติแด่ ผศ.ดร.ปิโยรส ทองเกิด อาจารย์จากหน่วยปฏิบัติการซิสเทแมติกส์ของสัตว์ ภาควิชาชีววิทยา คณะวิทยาศาสตร์ จุฬาลงกรณ์มหาวิทยาลัย ค้นพบที่บ้านท่าลี่ อ.แม่เมาะ จ.ลำปาง

กิ้งกือกระสุนน้อยกระสุน 𝐻𝑦𝑙𝑒𝑜𝑔𝑙𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑠 𝑘𝑟𝑎𝑠𝑜𝑜𝑛 Likhitrakarn, Sutcharit & Panha, 2024 

ตั้งชื่อตามคำไทย “กระสุน” ที่ใช้เรียกกิ้งกือกลุ่มนี้ ค้นพบที่วัดถ้ำน้ำผ่าผางาม อ.แม่พริก จ.ลำปาง

[Diplopoda • 2024] Glyphiulus pseudocostulifer, G. steineri & G. houaphanhensis • Integrated Taxonomy of Three New Species of Glyphiulus Gervais, 1847 (Spirostreptida: Cambalopsidae) from Laos

Glyphiulus pseudocostulifer from Oudomxay Province,
G. houaphanhensis from Houaphan Province 

Likhitrakarn, Jeratthitikul, Jirapatrasilp & Wesener, 2024

Raffles Bulletin of Zoology. 72

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Abstract

 Three new species of the millipede genus Glyphiulus Gervais, 1847 are described and illustrated based on specimens collected from caves in Laos, namely G. pseudocostulifer, new species, from Oudomxay Province, G. steineri, new species, from Khammouan Province, and G. houaphanhensis, new species, from Houaphan Province. All of them belong to the javanicus-group, which share the unique structure of the first pair of legs in males and the carinotaxic formula of midbody rings. However, they differ from each other in the number of ommatidia, body colouration, the carinotaxic formula of the collum, as well as anterior and posterior gonopod structures. Mitochondrial COI sequences were used as DNA barcodes for species delineation, and were successfully obtained for two of the new species (G. pseudocostulifer, new species, and G. steineri, new species). Phylogenetic analyses revealed strong support for all examined Glyphiulus species, even for a pair of species which exhibited high morphological similarity, with mean uncorrected COI p-distances between Glyphiulus species ranging from 15–22%. Two additional Glyphiulus species are listed, but not described, as male material is lacking. One of them occurs in direct sympatry with G. houaphanhensis, new species. An identification key to the species of Glyphiulus so far recorded from Laos and a distribution map are also presented. 

Key words. millipedes, key to species, cave fauna, molecular systematics, COI

Glyphiulus pseudocostulifer, new species, male holotype (ZFMK MYR10009A).
Glyphiulus steineri, new species, male holotype (ZFMK MYR6203).
Glyphiulus houaphanhensis, new species, male holotype (ZFMK MYR10011C).

Glyphiulus pseudocostulifer, new species, male holotype (ZFMK MYR10009A).
A–C, anterior part of body, lateral, dorsal, and ventral views, respectively; D, E, midbody rings, dorsal and lateral views, respectively; F, cross-section of a midbody ring; G–I, posterior part of body, lateral, dorsal, and ventral views, respectively

Glyphiulus pseudocostulifer, new species

Etymology. To emphasise the obvious similarities to G. costulifer Golovatch, Geoffroy, Mauriès & VandenSpiegel, 2007. Noun in apposition.

Glyphiulus steineri, new species

Etymology. To honour the German collector and biospeleologist Helmut Steiner, an active explorer of the caves of Laos, noun.

Glyphiulus houaphanhensis, new species, male holotype (ZFMK MYR10011C).
A–C, anterior part of body, lateral, dorsal, and ventral views, respectively; D, E, midbody rings, dorsal and lateral views, respectively; F, cross-section of a midbody ring; G–I, posterior part of body, lateral, dorsal, and ventral views, respectively

Glyphiulus houaphanhensis, new species 

Etymology. The species is named in allusion to the type locality — Houaphan Province, adjective. 

 

 Natdanai Likhitrakarn, Ekgachai Jeratthitikul, Parin Jirapatrasilp and Thomas Wesener. 2024. Integrated Taxonomy of Three New Species of Glyphiulus Gervais, 1847 (Diplopoda, Spirostreptida, Cambalopsidae) from Laos. Raffles Bulletin of Zoology. 72; 42–61.

***งานวิจัยใหม่: กิ้งกือถ้ำชนิดใหม่ของโลก 3 ชนิดจาก สปป.ลาว***

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[Diplopoda • 2023] Monographis panhai & Unixenus thailandicus • First Records of penicillate Millipedes (Polyxenidae) from Thailand, with Descriptions of Two New Species

 Monographis panhai & Unixenus thailandicus 

 Huynh, Veenstra & Likhitrakarn, 2023

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5383.4.5 

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Abstract

Two new species are described from the family Polyxenidae. Monographis panhai sp. nov. and Unixenus thailandicus sp. nov. represent the first records of their respective genera in Thailand. Monographis panhai sp. nov. shows distinct morphological differences in the arrangement of sensilla in the antennomere VI, as well as in the structures of the labrum and the claw. Collections from different areas of Thailand showed that not only is it widespread but also exhibits geographic variation in morphology. Unixenus thailandicus sp. nov. exhibits sexual dimorphism in the number of conical sensilla on the lateral palp, with 24 in males and 22 in females, differing from the typical count of 13 within the genus.

Keywords: Myriapoda, Penicillata, Polyxenidae, Monographis, Unixenus, phylogeny

Monographis panhai sp. nov. 

กิ้งกือขนปัญหา 

ค้นพบที่ อ.ปางมะผ้า จ.แม่ฮ่องสอน อ.วังน้ำเขียว จ.นครราชสีมา และ อ.เมือง จ.กระบี่

Unixenus thailandicus sp. nov. 

กิ้งกือขนประเทศไทย 

ค้นพบที่ อ.บ่อทอง จ.ชลบุรี 

 

Cuong Huynh, Anneke A. Veenstra and Natdanai Likhitrakarn. 2023. First Records of penicillate Millipedes (Diplopoda, Polyxenidae) from Thailand, with Descriptions of Two New Species.  Zootaxa. 5383(4); 514-536. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5383.4.5

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[Diplopoda • 2023] Sphaerobelum turcosa • A New Jewel-like Species of the Pill-millipede Genus Sphaerobelum Verhoeff, 1924 (Sphaerotheriida: Zephroniidae) from northeastern Thailand

 Sphaerobelum turcosa Srisonchai & Pimvichai,  

in Srisonchai, Likhitrakarn, Sutcharit, Backeljau et Pimvichai, 2023.

DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1181.109076

Abstract

A new species of the giant pill millipede genus Sphaerobelum is described: Sphaerobelum turcosa sp. nov. from the northeastern part of Thailand. Species delimitation is based on morphological characters and COI sequence data. The new species can be clearly discriminated from congeners by its greenish-blue body color, the face mask-like appearance of the thoracic and anal shields jointly when rolled up, and the combination of the following four characters: (1) the coxa of the second leg laterally with a sharp and long process, (2) the tarsi of legs 4–21 with 6–7 ventral spines, (3) the anterior telopods consisting of four conspicuous telopoditomeres, and (4) the immovable, slender (not strongly humped) and distally curved finger of the posterior telopods without a membranous spot. The interspecific COI sequence divergence between the new species and other Sphaerobelum species ranges from 17% to 23% (mean 20%). The intergeneric COI sequence divergence between the new species and Zephronia species ranges from 18% to 21% (mean 20%). The relationships among Sphaerobelum and Zephronia species based on the COI sequence data were not resolved in this study. Sphaerobelum turcosa sp. nov. is restricted to limestone habitat in Loei province and is probably endemic for the Thai fauna.

Key words: Biodiversity, limestone karst, soil fauna, Southeast Asia, taxonomy

Family Zephroniidae Gray, 1843

Subfamily Zephroniinae Gray, 1843

Tribe Zephroniini Gray, 1843

Genus Sphaerobelum Verhoeff, 1924

Sphaerobelum turcosa sp. nov.
 A–C ♂ holotype D, E ♀ paratype A first left coxa with stigmatic plate B coxa of second leg with gonopore C ninth right leg D coxa and prefemur of second leg with vulva E subanal plate.

Scale bars: 0.5 mm.

Habitus, live coloration.  Sphaerobelum turcosa sp. nov., ♀ paratype
 A, E sublateral views B–D enrolled, sublateral, lateral, dorsal views, respectively.

Scale bars: 5 mm.

 Sphaerobelum turcosa Srisonchai & Pimvichai, sp. nov.

Diagnosis: Coxal process on leg 2 sharply projecting, tarsi of legs 4–21 with 4/5/6/7/8 ventral spines. Similar in these respects to S. lachneeis, S. schwendingeri and S. laoticum, but S. turcosa sp. nov. differs from them by the combination of several characters, viz. body yellow contrasting to dominant greenish-blue color (vs. dark green/black); mesal margin of femur with teeth (vs. without teeth); vulva board and large, covering mesal 2/3 of coxa (vs. narrower, covering mesal 1/3 or half of coxa); anterior telopod consisting of 4 conspicuous telopoditomeres (vs. 3 telopoditomeres); immovable fingers of posterior telopod slender (vs. strongly humped and swollen).

Etymology: The specific name is a Latin adjective, meaning ‘turquoise, greenish-blue mineral,’ and refers to the general body color of living specimens.

กิ้งกือกระสุนเทอร์คอยส์, กิ้งกือกระสุนสีเทอร์ควอยซ์

Ruttapon Srisonchai, Natdanai Likhitrakarn, Chirasak Sutcharit, Thierry Backeljau and Piyatida Pimvichai. 2023. A New Jewel-like Species of the Pill-millipede Genus Sphaerobelum Verhoeff, 1924 (Diplopoda, Sphaerotheriida, Zephroniidae) from Thailand.  ZooKeys. 1181: 41-57. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1181.109076

[Diplopoda • 2019] Antheromorpha nguyeni • A New Species and A New Record of the Southeast Asian Millipede Genus Antheromorpha Jeekel, 1968 (Polydesmida: Paradoxosomatidae) from Vietnam

Antheromorpha nguyeni 

Likhitrakarn, Golovatch, Semenyuk & Panha, 2019

 DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.832.32596

Abstract

Antheromorpha nguyeni sp. n. is described and illustrated from Kon Ka Kinh National Park, southern Vietnam. The new species is distinguished by a peculiar colour pattern showing a uniformly black-brown body contrasting with yellow-brown paraterga and epiproct, as well as in the pointed gonopodal process being unusually short, only approximately half as long as the solenophore. In addition, an identification key to all 13 presently known species, all mapped, is given. A new record of A. festiva is provided from southern Vietnam.

Keywords: Antheromorpha, millipede, new species, Orthomorphini, taxonomy, Vietnam

 

Antheromorpha nguyeni sp. n., ♂ holotype.
A habitus, live coloration; B, C anterior part of body, dorsal and lateral views, respectively D, E segments 10 and 11, dorsal and lateral views, respectively F, G, H posterior part of body, dorsal, ventral and lateral views, respectively I, J sternal cones between coxae 4, subcaudal and sublateral views, respectively.

Natdanai Likhitrakarn, Sergei I. Golovatch, Irina Semenyuk and Somsak Panha. 2019. A New Species and A New Record of the Southeast Asian Millipede Genus Antheromorpha Jeekel, 1968 (Polydesmida, Paradoxosomatidae) from Vietnam. ZooKeys. 832: 77-89.  DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.832.32596

[Diplopoda • 2023] Tylopus bokorensis & T. panhai • Uncovering Endemism in High Montane Forests: Two New Species of Millipede Genus Tylopus Jeekel, 1968 (Polydesmida: Paradoxosomatidae) from Cambodia and Laos

Tylopus panhai Srisonchai & Likhitrakarn,

in Srisonchai, Inkhavilay, Ngor, Sutcharit et Likhitrakarn, 2023. 

Tropical Natural History. Supplement 7 

tci-thaijo.org/index.php/TNH

Abstract

Two new species of the predominantly Indochinese to southern Chinese millipedes belonging to the genus Tylopus Jeekel, 1968 are described: Tylopus bokorensis sp. nov. from southern Cambodia, and T. panhai sp. nov. from southern Laos. These species can be clearly discriminated from congeners by the shape of processes on postfemoral part of the gonopod in combination with some distinct somatic characters. Tylopus bokorensis sp. nov. is the first in this genus to be found in Cambodia. Both species inhabit montane habitats more than 1,000 m above mean sea level, and we regard them as endemic to these countries. An identification key and distribution map of Tylopus occurring in Cambodia and Laos are provided.

Keywords: biodiversity, endemic species, Southeast Asia, Sulciferini

Photographs of live specimens and habitat.
A, B. Tylopus bokorensis sp. nov. E. habitat of T. bokorensis sp. nov.
C, D. Tylopus panhai sp. nov.

Tylopus bokorensis Srisonchai and Likhitrakarn, sp. nov.

Tylopus panhai Srisonchai and Likhitrakarn, sp. nov.

Ruttapon Srisonchai, Khamla Inkhavilay, Peng Bun Ngor, Chirasak Sutcharit and Natdanai Likhitrakarn. 2023. Uncovering Endemism in High Montane Forests: Two New Species of Millipede Genus Tylopus Jeekel, 1968 (Diplopoda: Polydesmida: Paradoxosomatidae) from Cambodia and Laos. Tropical Natural History. Supplement 7;151-164

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[Diplopoda • 2022] Malayorthomorpha halabala & M. hulutbeeda • Review of the Millipede Genus Malayorthomorpha Mršić, 1996 (Diplopoda: Polydesmida: Paradoxosomatidae), with Descriptions of Two New Species from Thailand and A Key to its Species

Malayorthomorpha halabala

Likhitrakarn, Golovatch & Sittichaya, 2022

กิ้งกือตะเข็บฮาลาบาลา  ||  DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1118.89593

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Abstract

The millipede genus Malayorthomorpha Mršić, 1996, so far monospecific and previously known only from Park Belum, Perak State, northern Malaysia, is recorded from a mountain in Betong District, Yala Province, southern Thailand for the first time, being represented there by two new species: M. halabala sp. nov. and M. hulutbeeda sp. nov. Both new species are found to occur syntopically and can be assumed as narrowly endemic to the Titiwangsa Mountain Range which begins in southern Thailand, crosses the Malaysian border, and extends into east and west coast regions of the Malay Peninsula. In addition, the generic diagnosis is slightly updated, and a key to all three species is provided.

Keywords: Malaysia, Malayorthomorpha halabala sp. nov., Malayorthomorpha hulutbeeda sp. nov., Orthomorphini, taxonomy

Family Paradoxosomatidae Daday, 1889

Subfamily Paradoxosomatinae Daday, 1889

Tribe Orthomorphini Brölemann, 1916

Genus Malayorthomorpha Mršić, 1996

Malayorthomorpha halabala sp. nov., ♂ holotype
A, B anterior part of body, dorsal and lateral views, respectively C, D segments 10 and 11, dorsal and lateral views, respectively E–G posterior part of body, lateral, dorsal and subventral views, respectively H, I sternal cones between coxae 4, subcaudal and sublateral views, respectively.

Habitat at the type locality of Malayorthomorpha halabala sp. nov., ♀
A live colouration B, C elfin montane forest floor and collecting the specimens

B, C pictures taken not to scale.   

 Malayorthomorpha halabala sp. nov. 

 

Diagnosis: This new species seems to be particularly similar to M. siveci Mršić, 1996, with which it shares most of the gonopodal characters. It differs from M. siveci by the wider body, 2.7–3.2 mm (vs smaller, 1.2 mm), the colour pattern which is uniformly red brown with lighter red brown paraterga (Fig. 3A–F) (vs a light brown body with the collum and caudal edges of metazonae margined darker brown; Fig. 1A), as well as the pleurosternal carinae present until segment 11 (vs until segment 5), the sternal lobe between ♂ coxae 4 with a pair of small cones laterally near base (Fig. 3E, H, I) (vs absent, Fig. 1D), and the tip of the gonopod with a denticulate margin (Figs 4A, B, 5C, D) (vs smooth and rounded; Fig. 1E–G).

 Etymology: To emphasize Hala-Bala Wildlife Sanctuary, the type locality. Noun in apposition.

Malayorthomorpha hulutbeeda sp. nov., ♂ holotype
A, B anterior part of body, dorsal and lateral views, respectively C, D segments 10 and 11, dorsal and lateral views, respectively E–G posterior part of body, lateral, dorsal and subventral views, respectively H, I sternal cones between coxae 4, subcaudal and sublateral views, respectively

 Malayorthomorpha hulutbeeda sp. nov.

 

Diagnosis: This new species is distinguished from its two congeners in sternal process between male coxae 4 linguiform with a rounded tip, and lamina lateralis of gonopodal solenophore triangular, apically bifid and protruded laterally.

Etymology: To emphasize “hulutbeeda” which means “flat-back millipede” in Malay dialect, a noun in apposition. A Malay dialect language is mainly used in three provinces of southern Thailand where the holotype was obtained.

Remark: This species was found living together with M. halabala sp. nov. Moreover, according to our observations, they may even occur syntopically, sharing the same habitat: leaf litter surface, branches of trees and tree trunks.

 Natdanai Likhitrakarn, Sergei I. Golovatch and Wisut Sittichaya. 2022. Review of the Millipede Genus Malayorthomorpha Mršić, 1996 (Diplopoda, Polydesmida, Paradoxosomatidae), with Descriptions of Two New Species from Thailand and A Key to its Species. ZooKeys. 1118: 1-19. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1118.89593

1. 𝑀𝑎𝑙𝑎𝑦𝑜𝑟𝑡ℎ𝑜𝑚𝑜𝑟𝑝ℎ𝑎 ℎ𝑎𝑙𝑎𝑏𝑎𝑙𝑎 Likhitrakarn, Golovatch & Sittichaya, 2022 

กิ้งกือตะเข็บฮาลาบาลา 

ตั้งชื่อตามพื้นที่เขตรักษาพันธุ์สัตว์ป่าฮาลา-บาลา ซึ่งเป็นผืนป่าที่ค้นพบกิ้งกือชนิดนี้ 

2. 𝑀𝑎𝑙𝑎𝑦𝑜𝑟𝑡ℎ𝑜𝑚𝑜𝑟𝑝ℎ𝑎 ℎ𝑢𝑙𝑢𝑡𝑏𝑒𝑒𝑑𝑎 Likhitrakarn, Golovatch & Sittichaya, 2022 

กิ้งกือตะเข็บฮาลุตบีดา 

โดยคำว่า "hulutbeeda" เป็นภาษาท้องถิ่นที่แปลว่ากิ้งกือตะเข็บ

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[Diplopoda • 2021] The Giant Pill-millipede Genus Zephronia Gray, 1832 (Sphaerotheriida, Zephroniidae) from Thailand, with A Redescription of Z. siamensis Hirst, 1907 and Descriptions of Three New Species

 Zephronia golovatchi; 
Zephronia panhai 

Srisonchai, Sutcharit & Likhitrakarn, 2021

DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1067.72369

Abstract

Material of the giant pill-millipede genus Zephronia Gray, 1832 recently collected from Thailand contains three new species: Zephronia enghoffi sp. nov., Zephronia golovatchi sp. nov., and Zephronia panhai sp. nov. The first Zephronia species recorded for Thailand, Z. siamensis Hirst, 1907, is also redescribed based on new specimens collected both from the type locality in Chonburi Province and from neighboring areas. Morphological characters of all new species, Z. phrain Likhitrakarn & Golovatch, 2021, and Z. siamensis are illustrated, and a distribution map of the confirmed Zephronia species occurring in Thailand is also provided.

Keywords: Diplopods, key, map, Southeast Asia, taxonomy

Family Zephroniidae Gray, 1843

Subfamily Zephroniinae Gray, 1843

Tribe Zephroniini Jeekel, 2001

Genus Zephronia Gray, 1832

 

Unconfirmed species recorded for Thailand: 

Zephronia cf. viridescens Attems, 1936.

Confirmed species recorded from Thailand: 

Zephronia siamensis Hirst, 1907

Zephronia lannaensis Likhitrakarn & Golovatch, 2021

Zephronia phrain Likhitrakarn & Golovatch, 2021

Zephronia viridisoma Rosenmejer & Wesener, 2021

Photographs of living Zephronia spp.
A, B Zephronia enghoffi sp. nov., paratypes (CUMZ-Zeph0006)
C, D Zephronia golovatchi sp. nov., paratypes (CUMZ-Zeph0008)
E, F Zephronia panhai sp. nov., paratypes (CUMZ-Zeph0010).

Photographs not to scale.

Zephronia enghoffi sp. nov.

Diagnosis: A member of Zephronia s. s. in which the position of Tömösváry’s organ located next to the aberrant ommatidia, not inside the antennal groove. Adult body length medium, > 29 mm, usually ca. 32 mm, up to 36 mm; body brown or dark brown, inner surface (underside) of anal shield with a single locking carina on each side, and leg-pair 2 of male coxa with a long membranous lobe at mesal margin. Similar in these respects to Z. golovatchi sp. nov., but differs from this species by the following combination of characters; antenna short, leg-pair 2 of female coxa apico-mesally with large and conspicuous coxal ridge, operculum of vulva regularly rounded and narrow in posterior view, mesal margin of operculum tapering apically, central margin (tip) of subanal plate shallowly concave, process of telopoditomere 2 of anterior telopod quite long and equal in length to the combination of telopoditomeres 3+4, and immovable finger telopoditomere 2 of posterior telopod (process of telopoditomere 2) equal in length to movable finger (consisting of telopoditomeres 3 and 4).

Etymology: This species is named after Henrik Enghoff from Natural History Museum of Denmark, University of Copenhagen, Denmark, the Danish myriapodologist who initiated an important research step on millipede studies for Thailand.

Distribution and habitats: All specimens were collected from limestone habitats (in dry dipterocarp forest). Known only from three sites in limestone mountain ranges of Khon Kaen and Loei provinces.

C, D Zephronia golovatchi sp. nov., paratypes (CUMZ-Zeph0008)
  E, F Zephronia panhai sp. nov., paratypes (CUMZ-Zeph0010).

Zephronia golovatchi sp. nov.

 

Diagnosis: Adult body length medium to large > 29 mm, usually 35 mm, up to 37 mm; body brown or dark brown, marginal bristles of endotergum extending over posterior margin, inner surface (underside) of anal shield with a single locking carina on each side, and leg-pair 2 of male coxa with membranous lobe at mesal margin. Similar in these respects to Z. enghoffi sp. nov., but differs from this species by the following combination of characters: antenna long; operculum of vulva regularly rounded and broad in posterior view; mesal margin of operculum not tapering apically; central margin (tip) of subanal plate divided by a conspicuous mesal constriction, process of telopoditomere 2 of anterior telopods shorter than telopoditomere 3; telopoditomere 3 of anterior telopods with 2 or 3 crenulated teeth; immovable finger telopoditomere 2 of posterior telopod (process of telopoditomere 2) shorter than movable finger (consisting of telopoditomeres 3 and 4).

Etymology: The species is named for our highly esteemed colleague Sergei I. Golovatch (Zoological Museum, State University of Moscow, Russia), one of the most productive millipede taxonomists, who encouraged all new and young myriapodologists in Thailand.

Distribution and habitats: Known only from the type locality. All specimens have been taken from limestone habitats and were found walking on top of decayed wood or hiding under leaf litter.

Zephronia panhai sp. nov.

Diagnosis: Differs from all congeners by the combination of the following characters; grey body color, adult body length ca. 21 mm, tergites covered by conspicuous setae, long setae on tergites extending over the posterior margin (Figs 13G, 14D), marginal bristles of endotergum not extending over posterior margin, margin of operculum on vulva slightly concave and slightly invaginated medially, telopoditomere 3 of anterior telopods with conspicuous crenulated teeth and telopoditomere 3 of posterior telopods with a row of 11or 12 crenulated teeth.

Etymology: The species name recognizes the great professor and a long-time mentor to the authors, Somsak Panha (Chulalongkorn University Museum of Zoology, Thailand).

Distribution and habitats:. The new species is known from Phetchaburi, Ratchaburi, and Kanchanaburi provinces. All specimens were collected from limestone habitats.

Ruttapon Srisonchai, Chirasak Sutcharit and Natdanai Likhitrakarn. 2021. The Giant Pill-millipede Genus Zephronia Gray, 1832 from Thailand, with A Redescription of Z. siamensis Hirst, 1907 and Descriptions of Three New Species (Diplopoda, Sphaerotheriida, Zephroniidae). ZooKeys. 1067: 19-56. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1067.72369

[Diplopoda • 2021] Zephronia lannaensis & Z. phrain • Two New Species of the Giant Pill-Millipede Genus Zephronia Gray, 1832 (Sphaerotheriida: Zephroniidae) from northern Thailand

Zephronia phrain Likhitrakarn & Golovatch,

in Likhitrakarn, Golovatch, Srisonchai & Sutcharit, 2021 

Tropical Natural History. 21(1);  

กิ้งกือกระสุนพระอินทร์ ||  tci-thaijo.org/index.php/TNH 

Abstract

Two new species of Zephronia sensu stricto, both coming from Chiang Mai Province, northern Thailand, are described: Z. lannaensis, new species and Z. phrain, new species. Both these species seem to be especially similar to Z. laotica Wesener, 2019, but clearly distinct by telopoditomere 2 of the anterior telopods showing a sclerotized process located inside a membranous area, coupled with leg-pair 3 featuring one or two dorso-apical spine(s).

Keywords: giant pill-millipede, new species, arthropod, taxonomy, Thailand

Family Zephroniidae Gray, 1843

Subfamily Zephroniinae Gray, 1843

Tribe Zephroniini Jeekel, 2001

Genus Zephronia Gray, 1832

Habitus, live colouration.
(A, B) Zephronia lannaensis, new species, ♂ paratype;
(C–E) Zephronia phrain, new species, ♀ paratype.
(A) enrolled, lateral view; (B) unrolling, sublateral view; (C) enrolled, lateral view; (D, E) unrolling, sublateral and dorsal views, respectively.

(B, D, E) Pictures taken not to scale.

Zephronia lannaensis, new species, ♂ paratype.
(A) enrolled, lateral view; (B) unrolling, sublateral view

Zephronia lannaensis Likhitrakarn & Golovatch, new species

กิ้งกือกระสุนล้านนา

Name.– To emphasize “Lan Na”, the old name of the region, referring to the Lan Na Kingdom (“kingdom of a million rice fields”) which ruled over northern Thailand from the 13thto 18thcentury; a noun in apposition.

Zephronia phrain, new species, ♀ paratype.
(C) enrolled, lateral view; (D, E) unrolling, sublateral and dorsal views, respectively. 

 

Zephronia phrain Likhitrakarn & Golovatch, new species

กิ้งกือกระสุนพระอินทร์ 

Name.– To emphasize “Phra In - พระอินทร์”, referring to a deity in Thai mythology in order to emphasize a greenish body and also the Thai common name for the giant pill-millipedes (Sphaerotheriida); a noun in apposition.

Natdanai Likhitrakarn, Sergei I. Golovatch, Ruttapon Srisonchai and Chirasak Sutcharit. 2021. Two New Species of the Giant Pill-Millipede Genus Zephronia Gray, 1832 from Thailand (Diplopoda: Sphaerotheriida: Zephroniidae).  Tropical Natural History. 21(1); 12-26. 

 tci-thaijo.org/index.php/TNH/article/view/247730

  

 กิ้งกือกระสุนล้านนา 𝑍𝑒𝑝ℎ𝑟𝑜𝑛𝑖𝑎 𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑛𝑎𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑠  

  กิ้งกือกระสุนพระอินทร์ 𝑍𝑒𝑝ℎ𝑟𝑜𝑛𝑖𝑎 𝑝ℎ𝑟𝑎𝑖𝑛  

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