Scolopendra hainanum, Kronmüller, 2012

Scolopendra hainanum spec. nov.

During my analysis of the Scolopendra subspinipes complex I got some living specimens from Hainan Island, China, which were labelled as Scolopendra subspinipes dehaani “tigerleg” but attracted attention by a constantly difference to all other known members of the genus Scolopendra : The new species has a heart-shaped (or even splitted) genital sternit 1 and to date, it looks like both sexes have a structure that resembles to a genital sternit 2. During mating attempts sexed males did not show visible gonopods like Scolopendra subspinipes and also no spinning organ could be seen.

Material. Holotype: 156 mm long, of unknown sex, (preserved in 70 % ethanol, deposited at the Bavarian State Collection of Zoology in Munich, ZSMA20110500 – the 12 th locomotory leg of the left side has been cutted off and preserved in 96 % ethanol for further DNA analysis), South China, Hainan Island near the city of Puqian, leg. Liu Meijun, 17 August 2010. – Additionally, 10 still living paratypes presently in the collection of the author, same collecting data as holotype.

Distribution. Hainan Island (possibly also occurring in South China (continent)).

Description

General: Scolopendra hainanum has dark brown (or even black) coloured tergites and orange-brown striped legs. The head capsule and first tergites are sometimes coloured reddish brown. It can grow up to a length of 230 mm.

Head capsule: The head capsule has no sulci but very fine punctated areas (see Fig. 1 View Fig ). The prefemoral teeth have 2(-3) apical tubercles and one medial tubercle which is clearly separated. On each side there are between 6-7 coxosternal teeth on a broad-based and wide toothplate. The coxosternum has no visible sulci. The antennomeres have between 17-19 segments of which 6 are glabrous (the antennomeres of the holotype seem to be damaged and have around 14-15 segments).

Tergites: Complete and good visible margination starts at tergite 5. Some specimens show light paramedian sulci starting on tergite 3 or 4 (the holotype without paramedian sulci). Tergite 21 is rounded smoothly without median keel, sulcus or depression.

Sternites: Starting on sternite 2 and ending on sternite 19 or 20, all sternites show nearly complete paramedian sulci. Sternite 21 long, gradually narrowed and caudally rounded. Some specimens show a longitudinal depression on sternite 21.

Coxopleural process: The coxopleural process is conically shaped, and usually 2-tipped (sometimes only 1 tip). A dense, small stripe-like pore area leads to the tip of the coxopleural process.

Locomotory legs: All locomotory legs have 2 accessory claws, legs 1-19 show 1 tarsal spine.

Terminal legs: The terminal legs are long and slender. The prefemur shows 1 ventrolateral spine, 1 ventromedial spine and 2 dorsomedial spines. The prefemoral process is 2-tipped.

Sexual organs: The specimens supposed to be males show neither visible gonopods nor a spinning organ, but all examined specimens show an anatomical structure that resembles a genital sternit 2. In all specimens, the genital sternit 1 is splitted into two valve-like parts (see Fig. 1d View Fig ).

Remarks on Scolopendra multidens Newport, 1844

Scolopendra multidens once was supposed to be another subspecies of Scolopendra subspinipes . Chao (2008) treated it as a separate species.The spinulation of the prefemur of the terminal legs, the prefemoral process and also the coxopleural process exhibit clear differences to Scolopendra subspinipes . Another important fact is, that similar to Scolopendra hainanum , the males of Scolopendra multidens don’ t have visible gonopods.