Otostigmus puncticeps Attems, 1953

Scolopendra japonica L. Koch, 1878 (stat. nov.)

Otostigmus puncticeps Attems, 1953 , syn. nov. Otostigmus politoides Attems, 1953 , syn. nov.

Distribution. Japan, Taiwan, Cambodia.

Scolopendra japonica differs from S. subspinipes in the spinulation of the prefemur of the terminal legs, a prefemoral process with sometimes 2, but usually 3 spines, a coxopleural process with 2-3 spines and no tarsal spur on locomotory leg 20. In contrast to Scolopendra dehaani , it shows between 2 and 3 ventral spines at the prefemur of the terminal legs and differs from Scolopendra daaeydoffi by remarkable long and slender terminal legs instead of the cingulata -like short and thick legs of S. daaeydoffi (see, 1878

Lewis (2004) noticed, that the type material of Otostigmus puncticeps Attems, 1953 and Otostigmus politoides Attems, 1953 in the Naturhistorisches Museum in Wien (NHMW), was misidentified to generic level but shows clear characters of the genus Scolopendra . According to the latest keys, the species keys out as Scolopendra japonica . Because of the confusing situation of the S. subspinipes complex, Lewis (2004) proposed the synonymy of Otostigmus puncticeps and Otostigmus politoides with Scolopendra subspinipes without going down to subspecies level. Although the type material of both species consists of juvenile or adolescent stages (size from 24-33 mm, head capsule wider than the tergites, antennomeres with 17 segments and margination only seen in the end tergit), it shows some characters which clearly lead to Scolopendra japonica . The single holotype of Otostigmus puncticeps , the smaller specimen, has a short coxopleural process with 2-3 tips, 20 th pair of locomotory legs without tarsal spur and spinulation of the prefemur of the terminal legs is as follows:two ventrolateral, one medial and one or two dorsomedial spines. Otostigmus politoides (single holotype, 33 mm) shows a coxosternal process with 3 spines, the 20 th pair of locomotory legs without tarsal spur and the prefemur of the terminal legs with 3 ventrolateral, one medial and two dorsomedial spines. The prefemoral process shows 3 spines. I herewith propose to synonymize them with Scolopendra japonica , as the descriptions match most closely to this species. For that reason the occurrence of Scolopendra japonica in Cambodia has to be added. Further faunistic investigation should be made, to show whether the species occurs in other Asian countries as well.