Review Article |
Corresponding author: Somsak Panha ( somsak.pan@chula.ac.th ) Academic editor: Didier Vanden Spiegel
© 2019 Natdanai Likhitrakarn, Sergei I. Golovatch, Irina Semenyuk, Boris D. Efeykin, Somsak Panha.
This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Citation:
Likhitrakarn N, Golovatch SI, Semenyuk I, Efeykin BD, Panha S (2019) Review of the millipede genus Orthomorpha Bollman, 1893 (Diplopoda, Polydesmida, Paradoxosomatidae) in Vietnam, with several new records and descriptions of two new species. ZooKeys 898: 121-158. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.898.39265
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The genus Orthomorpha is shown to currently be represented in Vietnam by ten species or varieties, including new records of O. arboricola (Attems, 1937), O. coarctata (de Saussure, 1860), O. rotundicollis (Attems, 1937) and O. scabra Jeekel, 1964, and two new species, O. caramel sp. nov. and O. vietnamica sp. nov. A key to all eight Orthomorpha species and two varieties known to occur in Vietnam is provided. Although the morphological characters that have been traditionally used for Orthomorpha taxonomy are here considered superior to molecular ones, molecular-based phylogenetic relationships and taxon assignments within the tribe Orthomorphini are provisionally analyzed using fragments of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) mitochondrial gene. The preferred phylograms, both rooted and unrooted, demonstrate the monophyly of the tribe Orthomorphini, but due to the special, uncertain or even controversial position of O. coarctata, which occurs closer to the genera Antheromorpha and Hylomus, the genus Orthomorpha in current usage appears to be polyphyletic. However, if O. coarctata is to be treated within the monotypic genus Asiomorpha, the monophyly of Orthomorpha becomes manifest. On the other hand, a cautious approach is followed to avoid descriptions of suspicious new taxa/species. Thus, solely because the average genetic distance between O. rodundicollis subrotundicollis var. nov. and O. rodundicollis, as well as that between O. scabra grandis var. nov. and O. scabra, are both found to be negligibly small, the statuses of the sympatric and closest yet morphologically different varieties are treated only as such, i.e., infrasubspecific categories. The apparent discord observed between morphological and molecular data is obviously due to only partial and single-gene topologies used, possibly also to hybridization already known to occur in some closely related and sympatric paradoxosomatid species or even genera.
taxonomy, variety, barcoding, phylogeny, key, map
The Southeast Asian millipede genus Orthomorpha Bollman, 1893 is the largest in the tribe Orthomorphini, family Paradoxosomatidae (
Only six recognized species of Orthomorpha have hitherto been known to occur in Vietnam. Among them, O. hydrobiologica (Attems, 1937), O. rotundicollis (Attems, 1937), and O. scabra Jeekel, 1964 are widespread also in Laos and Cambodia (
This paper is devoted to descriptions of two new species from southern Vietnam, based on the material collected by one of us (IS) in the Cat Tien, Kon Ka Kinh, Hon Ba and Bidoup Nui Ba national parks, all being priority zones for the protection of biodiversity in Vietnam (e.g.,
Molecular analyses were performed to obtain a phylogram in order to visualize the phylogenetic relationships. The topology from MrBayes was consistent with the present-day morphology-based taxonomy/classification of the tribe Orthomorphini (
The specimens were collected as part of IS’ research project on the diversity, biology and ecology of millipedes in Vietnam. Field-work by IS, including material collection, was conducted in accordance with Agreement 37/HD for the scientific cooperation between the Cat Tien National Park and the Joint Russian-Vietnamese Tropical Center; that in the Kon Ka Kinh National Park according to Agreements 432/TCLN-BTTN and 142/SNgV-VP; and that in the Bidoup Nui Ba National Park and Hon Ba Nature Reserve according to Agreement 774/TCLN-DDPH. The Animal Care and Use Protocol Review No. 1723018 was strictly followed. Coordinates and elevations were recorded by Garmin eTrex 30 using the WGS84 datum and subsequently double-checked with Google Earth.
Live animals were photographed in their habitats using a Canon PowerShot A4000IS 16.0 MP Digital Camera and Panasonic DMC-TZ80 – LUMIX Digital Camera. Specimens were preserved in 96% ethanol, and morphological characters were studied in the laboratory using an Olympus stereo microscope. Scanning electron micrographs (SEM) of coated gonopod specimens were taken using a JEOL, JSM–5410 LV microscope. Specimens were also photographed in the laboratory as digital images assembly using automontage software techniques, while gonopods were also illustrated. All material, including the holotypes and voucher specimens for molecular analyses, is housed in the collection of the Zoological Museum, State University of Moscow (ZMUM), Russia.
In the catalogue sections, D stands for the original description, subsequent descriptive notes or appearance in a key, R for a subsequent record or records, N for giving a new name while M for a mere mention and Di stands for genetic distances in the molecular analyses.
DNA was isolated from specimens fixed in 96% ethanol using QiaAMP DNA Mini Kit (Qiagen). Sequences of the cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) gene were amplified using an EncycloPlus PCR kit (Evrogen, Russia) with the primer set COI-1F20 (5'-ACT CTA CTA ATC ATA AGG AT-3') and COI-1R19 (5'-TAA ACC TCC GGG TGA CCAA-3') derived from
№ | Species | Location | COI sequences numbers | Voucher repository |
1 | Orthomorpha coarctata | Thac Mai | MC762236 | ZMUM |
2 | Orthomorpha rotundicollis var. subrotundicollis | Kon Ka Kinh | MC762237 | ZMUM Rd 4210 |
3 | Orthomorpha rotundicollis | Thac Mai | MC762238 | ZMUM Rd 4215 |
4 | Orthomorpha rotundicollis | Cat Tien | MC762239 | ZMUM |
5 | Orthomorpha caramel | Kon Ka Kinh | MC762240 | ZMUM Rd 4198 |
6 | Orthomorpha vietnamica | Kon Ka Kinh | MC762241 | ZMUM Rd 4199 |
7 | Orthomorpha scabra | Kon Ka Kinh | MC762242 | ZMUM Rd 4213 |
8 | Orthomorpha scabra var. grandis | Bidoup Nui Ba | MC762243 | ZMUM Rd 4267 |
9 | Orthomorpha arboricola | Hon Ba | MC762244 | ZMUM |
Genus Orthomorpha Bollman, 1893
Pratinus arboricola Attems, 1937: 120 (D).
Pratinus arboricola
–
Orthomorpha arboricola
–
Vietnam, Lamdong Province, Dalat, 1,500 m a.s.l.; Lamdong Province, Langbian Mountain, Trąm Hành (= Arbre-Broyé) (
2 ♂ (ZMUM), Vietnam, Khanh Hoa Province, Hon Ba Nature Reserve, 12°07'02"N, 108°56'45"E, 1,550 m a.s.l., mixed mossy forest on mountain ridge, on forest floor, night time, 27.VI.2018, I. Semenyuk leg.
Length 40–41 mm (♂), width of midbody pro- and metazonae 2.7–2.8 and 4.3–4.4 mm (♂), respectively.
Live colouration (Fig.
All characters as in the available descriptions (
Orthomorpha arboricola (Attems, 1937), ♂ from Hon Ba National Park A habitus and live colouration B, C anterior part of body, dorsal and lateral views, respectively D, E segments 10 and 11, dorsal and lateral views, respectively F–H posterior part of body, dorsal, ventral and lateral views, respectively I, J sternal cone between coxae 4, subcaudal and sublateral views, respectively.
This species is known not only from type material from southern Vietnam (Dalat and Peak Lang Biang, at both sites found to coexist with O. rotundicollis (Attems, 1937)), but also from the new samples cited above. The types have recently been redescribed by
Polydesmus coarctatus de Saussure, 1860: 297 (D).
Paradesmus flavocarinatus
Daday, 1889: 136 (D). Synonymized by
Orthomorpha coarctata
– Pocock 1895: 809 (R, M, K);
Orthomorpha coarctata gigas
Attems, 1927: 63 (D). Synonymized by
Asiomorpha coarctata
–
Orthomorpha coarctata gigas
–
3 ♂, 1 ♀, 2 juv. (ZMUM), Vietnam, Dong Nai Province, Cat Tien National Park, 11°25'16"N, 107°25'39"E, 120 m a.s.l., on floor between huts in the Park’s headquarters, an open site in monsoon tropical forest, night time, 5 & 8.VIII.2015; 3 ♂, 2 ♀ (ZMUM), Vietnam, Dong Nai Province, Thac Mai waterfall and hot spring area, 11°06'12"N, 107°24'24"E, grassy recreation area near pond, in leaf litter, daytime, 01.06.2018, all I. Semenyuk leg.
This pantropical anthropochore species has been redescribed several times and recently revised (
The new samples belong to the typical form of O. coarctata, whereas the only other form, O. c. gigas Attems, 1927, from Ambon, Indonesia, has long been synonymized under O. c. coarctata (see
Pratinus glandulosus Attems, 1937: 119 (D).
Pratinus glandulosus
–
Orthomorpha glandulosa
–
Vietnam, Dak Lak Province, near frontier with Cambodia; Khanh Hoa Province, Nhatrang, Suoidau; same Province, Hon Ba Mountain (
This species has recently been redescribed, based only on the type material (
Orthomorpha hydrobiologica Attems, 1930: 120 (D).
Orthomorpha hydrobiologica
–
Oxidus hydrobiologicus
–
Vietnam, Quang Ninh Province, Hong Gai; Khanh Hoa Province, Nha Trang; Cau Da; Ba Ngoi; Ninh Thuan Province, Phan Rang; Binh Phuoc Province, Loc Ninh; Dak Lak Province, near frontier with Cambodia; Kien Giang Province, Poulo Dama (Phu Quoc Island) (
This species has recently been redescribed (
Pratinus rotundicollis Attems, 1937: 118 (D).
Pratinus rotundicollis
–
Pratinus tuberculatus
Attems, 1937: 119 (D). Synonymized by
Pratinus tuberculatus
–
Orthomorpha rotundicollis
–
Orthomorpha tuberculata
–
Vietnam, Lam Dong Province, Lang Biang Mountain, Tram Hanh (=Arbre-Broye), 1,500 m; Dalat, 1,500 (
1 ♂ (yellow morph, ZMUM Rd 4215), Vietnam, Dong Nai Province, Cat Tien National Park, 11°25'37"N, 107°25'39"E, 140 m a.s.l., lowland monsoon tropical forest with dominating Lagerstroemia calyculata and Afzelia xylocarpa, on bush, daytime, 7.X.2016; 1 ♂ (yellow morph, ZMUM Rd 4217), same locality, under log, daytime, 6.V.2015; 1 ♂ (red morph, ZMUM Rd 4218), same locality, on forest floor, daytime, 10.V.2015; 1 ♂ (red morph, ZMUM Rd 4221), same locality, on bush, daytime, 3.VI.2015; 1 ♂ (red morph, ZMUM Rd 4222), same locality, on tree trunk, night time, 29.06.2015; 1 ♂ (red morph, ZMUM), same locality, hilly area with mainly bamboo forest, 11°22'50"N, 107°13'16"E, 110 m a.s.l., in leaf litter, daytime, 29.VI.2017; 1 ♂ (red morph, ZMUM), same locality but light open forest with highly dominating L. calyculata, 11°24'51"N, 107°22'34"E, 130 m a.s.l., on tree trunk, daytime, 20.09.2016; 1 ♂ (red morph, ZMUM), same locality, 11°27'09"N, 107°21'57"E, lava cave, on excrements of Hipposideros sp.; 2 ♂, 1 ♀ (red morph, ZMUM Rd 4216), same locality, on concrete floor between huts in headquarters of National Park, 11°25'16"N, 107°25'39"E, 120 m a.s.l., night time, 4.I.2015; 1 ♀ (red morph, ZMUM Rd 4219), same locality, 11°25'37"N, 107°25'39"E, 140 m a.s.l., lowland monsoon tropical forest with dominating Lagerstroemia calyculata and Afzelia xylocarpa, on tree trunk, daytime, 20.V.2015; 1 ♀ (yellow morph, ZMUM), same locality, on bush, night time, 14.VI.2015; 1 juv. (ZMUM Rd 4223), same locality, on tree trunk, night time, 9.VII.2015; 4 ♂, 2 ♀ (white form, ZMUM), Vietnam, Dong Nai Province, Thac Mai waterfall and hot spring area, 11°06'12"N, 107°24'24"E, grassy recreation area near pond, in leaf litter, daytime, 01.VI.2018, all I. Semenyuk leg.
Length 29.0–38.5 mm (♂) or 31.5–40.5 mm (♀), width of midbody pro- and metazonae 2.3–2.8 and 3.5–4.3 mm (♂) or 2.8–3.3 and 3.6–4.9 mm (♀), respectively.
Colouration in alcohol, after one year of preservation, blackish to black-brown (Fig.
Orthomorpha rotundicollis (Attems, 1937), ♂ from Cat Tien National Park 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 ventral views, respectively H, I sternal cones between coxae 4, subcaudal and sublateral views, respectively.
Antennae rather long (Fig.
Legs long and slender, midbody ones ca. 1.3–1.4 (♂) or 0.9–1.0 (♀) times as long as body height, ♂ tarsal brushes present on legs of segments 2–10, thereafter gradually thinning out until segment 16.
This species has recently been redescribed (
The biology and behaviour of this species, referred to as Orthomorpha sp., has recently been described in detail in Cat Tien National Park (
Pratinus granosus Attems, 1953: 166 (D).
Orthomorpha granosa
–
Orthomorpha scabra
Jeekel, 1964: 361 (N, D). Renamed by
Orthomorpha scabra
–
Vietnam, Lam Dong Province, Peak Lang Biang; Laos, Luang Prabang Province, Luang Prabang; Xiang Khouang Province, Xieng Khouang (
1 ♂ (ZMUM Rd 4202), Vietnam, Gia Lai Province, Kon Ka Kinh National Park, forest around headquarters, 14°13'12"N, 108°19'54"E, 1,400 m a.s.l., mixed tropical forest on hill slope, under log, daytime, 26.V.2017; 2 ♂ (ZMUM Rd 4213), same locality, but near the village of Krong, 14°17'46"N, 108°26'41"E, 800 m a.s.l., disturbed tropical forest on hills with bamboo, on bushes, daytime, 18.V.2017; 3 ♀ (ZMUM), same locality, 14°18'59"N, 108°26'26"E, 750 m a.s.l., mixed tropical forest on slopes, on tree trunk, daytime, 9.05.2017; 2 ♂ (ZMUM), Vietnam, Lam Dong Province, Bidoup Nui Ba National Park, forest near Giang Ly ranger station, 12°10'23"N, 108°40'59"E, 1,550 m a.sl., mixed forest on slopes, in Asplenium nidus, daytime, 11.I.2018; 2 ♀ (ZMUM), same locality, mixed forest, 12°11'59"N, 108°40'34"E, 1,500 m a.s.l., on log, daytime, 13.I.2018; 3 ♂, 2 ♀ (ZMUM), same locality, 12°11'09"N, 108°40'43"E, 1,430 m a.s.l., mixed forest in the river valley, on forest floor, night time, 12 & 14.VI.2018, all leg. I. Semenyuk.
Length 26–46 mm (♂) or 21.5–42 mm (♀), width of midbody pro- and metazonae 2.4–4.0 and 3.6–5.8 mm (♂) or 3.5–4.2 and 3.7–6.2 mm (♀), respectively.
Colouration of live animals (Fig.
Orthomorpha scabra Jeekel, 1964, ♂ from Kon Ka Kinh National Park A habitus and live colouration B, C anterior part of body, lateral and dorsal views, respectively D, E segments 10 and 11, dorsal and lateral views, respectively F–H posterior part of body, dorsal, ventral and lateral views, respectively I, J sternal cones between coxae 4, subcaudal and sublateral views, respectively.
This species has recently been redescribed (
This species seems to be widespread, occurring in Vietnam and northern Laos (Fig.
According to IS’ field observations, the millipedes occupy a wide range of habitats, including riparian forests with flooding occurring every year and non-flooding mixed forests on slopes. They also appear in a forestless farm area, usually being found on the forest floor and at bases of tree trunks. They occupy many microhabitats in lower forest strata. The activity is mainly restricted to the night time, but some individuals keep it up in daylight as well.
1 ♂ (ZMUMRd 4209), 1 ♀ (ZMUMRd 4201), Vietnam, Gia Lai Province, Kon Ka Kinh National Park, near the village of Krong, 14°18'03"N, 108°26'42"E, 600 m a.s.l., mixed tropical forest, on forest floor, night time, 9.V.2017; 1 ♂ (ZMUM Rd 4210), same locality, forest near the Park’s headquarters, mixed tropical forest on hill slope, 14°11'34"N, 108°19'23"E, 1,200 m a.s.l., on forest floor, daytime, 29.V.2017; 2 ♂ (ZMUM Rd 4284, Rd 4285), same locality, on log; 1 ♀ (ZMUM Rd 4283), same locality, 14°18'24"N, 108°27'13"E, 750 m a.s.l., on forest floor, daytime, 12.V.2017, all leg. I. Semenyuk.
To emphasize the strong similarity to the typical O. rotundicollis (Attems, 1937). Normally, no Latin names are to be applied to varieties as infrasubspecific categories, but because this new variety had first been qualified and described as a new species based on purely morphological grounds before the molecular evidence showed it to be the same as O. rotundicollis, we allot it the previously chosen name subrotundicollis and treat it separately in our analyses, key, and map.
Using the latest key (
Length 20.0–23.0 mm (♂) and 21.5–29.0 mm (♀), width of midbody pro- and metazonae 1.7–1.9 and 2.9–3.2 mm (♂) or 2.3–2.6 and 3.3–3.9 mm (♀), respectively.
Colouration of live animals blackish (Fig.
Orthomorpha rotundicollis (Attems, 1937), subrotundicollis var. nov., ♂ A habitus and live colouration B, C anterior part of body, dorsal and lateral views, respectively D, E segments 10 and 11, dorsal and lateral views, respectively F–H posterior part of body, dorsal, ventral and lateral views, respectively I, J sternal cones between coxae 4, subcaudal and sublateral views, respectively.
Clypeolabral and vertigial regions sparsely setose; epicranial suture distinct. Antennae rather short (Fig.
Tegument smooth and shining, prozonae finely shagreened, metaterga smooth and delicately rugulose, leathery; surface below paraterga finely microgranulate. Postcollum metaterga each with two transverse rows of setae: anterior (pre-sulcus) row with 2+2 setae traceable at least as insertion points when setae broken off; posterior (postsulcus) row with 3+3 setae borne on minute to small tubercles growing a little larger laterally, in addition to fully obliterated knobs with insertion points of abraded setae near axial line. Tergal setae long, strong, slender, ca. 1/3 of metatergal length. Axial line visible on collum and both on following pro- and metazonae.
Paraterga 2 broad, anterior edge angular, lateral edge with two small, but evident incisions in anterior 1/3; posterior edge slightly oblique (Fig.
Epiproct (Fig.
Sterna sparsely setose, without modifications except for two rather large, fully separated, setose sternal cones between ♂ coxae 4 (Fig.
Gonopods (Figs
Based on morphological characters alone (see Diagnosis), this variety had first been qualified and distinguished as a full new species before the molecular analyses unequivocally showed it to be genetically the same as O. rotundicollis. Indeed, the average genetic distance (Di) of subrotundicollis from the typical, morphologically closest and sympatric O. rodundicollis is null (Table
Adults of this variety were found only in May during a short expedition to Kon Ka Kinh National Park, as part of IS’ research on the diversity, biology, and ecology of millipedes in Vietnam. The previous trip to the same area in 2016 failed in finding this species. In 2017, millipedes were very abundant in many types of forest ranging from native to highly disturbed ones, up to even forestless hills with farmed crops. The activity was mainly noted in the night time in forest, but walking millipedes appeared even in daylight in open areas. Mating was recorded in May.
Average genetic distances (Di) among the available taxa, the matrix constructed using Kimura’s two-parametric/pairwise model of nucleotide replacements that suggests a considerable prevalence of transitions over transversions in mitochondrial DNA. Old information is available in
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | ||
1 | Orthomorpha coarctata Chuzhou | ||||||||||||||||||||||
2 | O. coarctata Thac Mai | 0.004 | |||||||||||||||||||||
3 | Antheromorpha pumatensis Nghe An | 0.153 | 0.146 | ||||||||||||||||||||
4 | A. festiva Dak Lak | 0.210 | 0.202 | 0.203 | |||||||||||||||||||
5 | Tylopus crassipes Lao Cai | 0.261 | 0.270 | 0.192 | 0.265 | ||||||||||||||||||
6 | Oxidus gracilis Ontario | 0.227 | 0.235 | 0.242 | 0.253 | 0.209 | |||||||||||||||||
7 | O. riukiarius Okinawa | 0.171 | 0.165 | 0.184 | 0.249 | 0.229 | 0.144 | ||||||||||||||||
8 | Hylomus enghoffi Phong Nha | 0.249 | 0.257 | 0.250 | 0.261 | 0.330 | 0.227 | 0.279 | |||||||||||||||
9 | H. cervarius Sa Pa | 0.170 | 0.177 | 0.164 | 0.243 | 0.270 | 0.241 | 0.198 | 0.158 | ||||||||||||||
10 | H. proximus Sa Pa | 0.205 | 0.212 | 0.235 | 0.261 | 0.206 | 0.284 | 0.291 | 0.200 | 0.174 | |||||||||||||
11 | Oxidus gigas Duc Xuan | 0.191 | 0.199 | 0.211 | 0.200 | 0.204 | 0.130 | 0.145 | 0.259 | 0.233 | 0.244 | ||||||||||||
12 | Piccola odontopyga Bi Duop | 0.164 | 0.170 | 0.198 | 0.217 | 0.201 | 0.199 | 0.141 | 0.265 | 0.204 | 0.221 | 0.179 | |||||||||||
13 | Orthomorphoides setosus Bi Duop | 0.176 | 0.183 | 0.198 | 0.218 | 0.171 | 0.227 | 0.199 | 0.273 | 0.249 | 0.241 | 0.178 | 0.128 | ||||||||||
14 | Orthomorpha scabra Bi Duop | 0.158 | 0.164 | 0.140 | 0.233 | 0.243 | 0.199 | 0.205 | 0.191 | 0.177 | 0.219 | 0.178 | 0.183 | 0.170 | |||||||||
15 | O. glandulosa Quang Nam | 0.164 | 0.171 | 0.194 | 0.257 | 0.262 | 0.259 | 0.247 | 0.235 | 0.199 | 0.229 | 0.229 | 0.170 | 0.177 | 0.116 | ||||||||
16 | O. scabra Kon Ka Kinh | 0.158 | 0.164 | 0.140 | 0.233 | 0.243 | 0.199 | 0.205 | 0.191 | 0.177 | 0.219 | 0.178 | 0.183 | 0.170 | 0.000 | 0.116 | |||||||
17 | O. scabra var. grandis Bidoup Nui Ba | 0.158 | 0.164 | 0.140 | 0.233 | 0.243 | 0.199 | 0.205 | 0.191 | 0.177 | 0.219 | 0.178 | 0.183 | 0.170 | 0.000 | 0.116 | 0.000 | ||||||
18 | O. vietnamica Kon Ka Kinh | 0.170 | 0.177 | 0.166 | 0.249 | 0.234 | 0.213 | 0.220 | 0.220 | 0.190 | 0.234 | 0.191 | 0.170 | 0.170 | 0.018 | 0.116 | 0.018 | 0.018 | |||||
19 | O. arboricola Hon Ba | 0.164 | 0.170 | 0.190 | 0.224 | 0.261 | 0.243 | 0.236 | 0.205 | 0.198 | 0.233 | 0.226 | 0.184 | 0.170 | 0.076 | 0.046 | 0.076 | 0.076 | 0.076 | ||||
20 | O. rotundicollis var. subrotundicollis Kon Ka Kinh | 0.152 | 0.158 | 0.159 | 0.204 | 0.173 | 0.204 | 0.198 | 0.219 | 0.172 | 0.250 | 0.221 | 0.121 | 0.158 | 0.115 | 0.148 | 0.115 | 0.115 | 0.104 | 0.141 | |||
21 | O. rotundicollis Thac Mai | 0.152 | 0.158 | 0.159 | 0.204 | 0.173 | 0.204 | 0.198 | 0.219 | 0.172 | 0.250 | 0.221 | 0.121 | 0.158 | 0.115 | 0.148 | 0.115 | 0.115 | 0.104 | 0.141 | 0.000 | ||
22 | O. rotundicollis Cat Tien | 0.152 | 0.158 | 0.159 | 0.204 | 0.173 | 0.204 | 0.198 | 0.219 | 0.172 | 0.250 | 0.221 | 0.121 | 0.158 | 0.115 | 0.148 | 0.115 | 0.115 | 0.104 | 0.141 | 0.000 | 0.000 | |
23 | O. caramel Kon Ka Kinh | 0.158 | 0.164 | 0.166 | 0.234 | 0.201 | 0.241 | 0.219 | 0.218 | 0.185 | 0.241 | 0.243 | 0.139 | 0.164 | 0.121 | 0.105 | 0.121 | 0.121 | 0.110 | 0.099 | 0.032 | 0.032 | 0.032 |
Holotype ♂ (ZMUM Rd 4197), Vietnam, Gia Lai Province, Kon Ka Kinh National Park, forest near the village Krong, 14°18'03"N, 108°26'42"E, 600 m a.s.l., mixed tropical forest on slopes to a small stream, on tree trunk, daytime, 13.V.2017, I. Semenyuk leg.
Paratypes. 1 ♂ (ZMUM Rd 4198), same locality, together with holotype; 1 ♂ (ZMUM), same locality, 14°17'46"N, 108°26'41"E, 750 m a.s.l., disturbed forest with dominating bamboo on hills, on tree trunk, daytime 18.V.2017, all leg. I. Semenyuk.
A noun in apposition, to emphasize the general caramel colouration of the animals.
Using the latest key (
Length of holotype 36.5 mm (♂), width of midbody pro- and metazonae 2.8 and 4.2 mm, respectively. Paratype 31.5–34.5 mm long, 2.6–2.8 and 4.0–4.1 mm wide on midbody pro- and metazonae, respectively.
Colouration of live animals dark chocolate brown (Fig.
Clypeolabral region densely setose, vertigial region sparsely so; epicranial suture distinct. Antennae rather long (Fig.
Orthomorpha caramel sp. nov., ♂ holotype A habitus, live colouration B, C anterior part of body, dorsal and lateral views, respectively D, E segments 10 and 11, dorsal and lateral views, respectively F–H posterior part of body, dorsal, ventral and lateral views, respectively I, J sternal cones between coxae 4, subcaudal and sublateral views, respectively.
Tegument shining, prozonae finely shagreened, metaterga rugose to rugulose, surface below paraterga finely microgranulate and rugulose. Postcollum metaterga each with two transverse rows of short, mostly abraded setae traceable only as insertion points, short wrinkles or minute tubercles: anterior (pre-sulcus) row with 2+2 mostly abraded setae traceable only as insertion points; posterior (postsulcus) row with 3+3 setae borne on minute tubercles or short wrinkles. Tergal setae long, slender, ca. 1/3 of metatergal length. Axial line rather clear, especially so on metazonae.
Paraterga very strongly developed (Fig.
Paraterga 2 broad, anterior edge evidently convex, lateral edge with one larger incision in anterior 1/3, one smaller, but evident incision in the middle and a faint furrow at posterior 1/3; posterior edge oblique (Fig.
Ozopores evident, lateral, lying inside an ovoid groove at ca. 1/4 in front of caudal corner. Transverse sulcus usually distinct (Fig.
Sterna sparsely setose, without modifications except for two rather large and long, fully separated, sternal cones between ♂ coxae 4 (Fig.
Gonopods (Figs
The biology and behaviour of this species are very similar to those of O. vietnamica sp. nov. During field observations in May 2017, millipedes occurred mainly on tree trunks. Mating was also recorded, but no females were collected.
Holotype : ♂ (ZMUM Rd 4199), Vietnam, Gia Lai Province, Kon Ka Kinh National Park, near the village of Krong, 14°18'03"N, 108°26'42"E, 600 m a.s.l., mixed tropical forest, on tree trunk, night time, 9.V.2017, I. Semenyuk leg.
Paratype : 1 ♀ (ZMUM Rd 4200), same locality, together with holotype.
Adjective to refer to the country of origin.
This species seems to be especially similar to O. caramel sp. nov., but differs from all congeners (
Length 27.5 mm (♂) or 29.5 mm (♀), width of midbody pro- and metazonae 2.0 and 3.0 mm (♂) or 2.7 and 3.6 mm (♀), respectively.
Colouration of alcohol material after one year of preservation dark brown (Fig.
All characters as in O. caramel sp. nov., except as follows: clypeolabral region sparsely setose, vertigial region bare. Antennae rather short, reaching behind body segment 3 (♂, ♀) when stretched dorsally. In width, head < collum < segment 3 < 4 < 5 < 2 < 6–17 (♂) or head < collum < segment 3 < 4 < 2 < 5–17 (♀), body gently and gradually tapering thereafter.
Tegument rather dull, prozonae finely shagreened, metaterga rugose to rugulose, surface below paraterga finely microgranulate and faintly rugulose (Fig.
Axial line visible on collum and both on following pro- and metazonae.
Orthomorpha vietnamica 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 ventral views, respectively H, I sternal cones between coxae 4, subcaudal and sublateral views, respectively.
Transverse sulcus usually distinct (Fig.
Pleurosternal carinae complete crests with a sharp caudal tooth on segments 2–4 (♂) (Fig.
Sterna sparsely setose, without modifications except for an evident, rounded, sparsely setose bulge directed anteroventrally between ♂ coxae 4 (Fig.
Gonopods (Fig.
We assume the apicodorsal lobule of the solenophore to be broken off, considering the structure of the solenophore tip in the other Orthomorpha spp.
The ecology of this species is very similar to that of O. caramel sp. nov. These two species are syntopic and share the same microhabitats.
4 ♂ (ZMUM Rd 4268, Rd 4266, Rd 4267, Rd 4269), Vietnam, Lam Dong Province, Bidoup Nui Ba National Park, Mount Bidoup, 12°05'58"N, 108°39'30"E, 2,000 m a.s.l., mixed cloudy mossy forest on mountain top, on forest floor, night time, 16.VI.2018, I. Semenyuk leg.
Adjective to emphasize the unusually large size of the animals. Normally, no Latin names are to be applied to varieties as infrasubspecific categories, but because this new variety had first been qualified and described as a new species based on purely morphological grounds before the molecular evidence showed it to be the same as O. scabra, we allot it the previously chosen name grandis and treat it separately in our analyses, key, and map. This is also one of the direct consequences of the molecular analyses accepted in our study.
Distinguished from all known congeners or varieties by the particularly large size, coupled with the clearly tuberculate metaterga, caudolaterally rounded paraterga 1–14, and the relatively short gonopodal femorite.
Length 44–50 mm, width of midbody pro- and metazonae 3.5–3.8 and 5.2–5.6 mm wide on midbody pro- and metazonae, respectively (♂).
Colouration in alcohol after ten months of preservation dark brown (Fig.
Clypeolabral region densely setose, vertigial region sparsely so; epicranial suture distinct. Antennae rather long (Fig.
Tegument shining, prozonae finely shagreened, postcollum metaterga rugose to rugulose and clearly tuberculate, surface below paraterga finely microgranulate and rugulose. Postcollum metaterga each with two transverse rows of abraded setae: anterior (pre-sulcus) row with 2(3)+2(3) mostly minute tubercles, short wrinkles or traceable only as insertion points, posterior (postsulcus) row with 3–5+3–5 setae borne on low, oblong, rounded tubercles or minute knobs. Tergal setae long, slender, ca. 1/3 of metatergal length. Axial line rather clear, especially so on metazonae.
Orthomorpha scabra Jeekel, 1964, grandis var. nov., ♂ A habitus and live colouration B, C anterior part of body, dorsal and lateral views, respectively D, E segments 10 and 11, dorsal and lateral views, respectively F–H posterior part of body, dorsal, ventral and lateral views, respectively I, J sternal cones between coxae 4, subcaudal and sublateral views, respectively.
Paraterga 2 broad, anterior edge evidently convex, lateral edge with three minute incisions in anterior 1/4 to half; posterior edge oblique (Fig.
Following paraterga very strongly developed (Fig.
Ozopores evident, lateral, lying inside an ovoid groove at ca. 1/4 in front of caudal corner. Transverse sulcus usually distinct (Fig.
Sterna sparsely setose, without modifications except for two rather large and long, fully separated, sternal cones between ♂ coxae 4 (Fig.
Gonopods (Fig.
This species was found only on Mount Bidoup in the summit area, while none of the inspected adjacent forests, even those located at the same altitudes, including a very similar forest on Mount Hon Giao, failed to reveal these millipedes. On Mount Bidoup, this species was quite abundant, occurring mainly on the forest floor, on logs and at bases of tree trunks in the night time, as well as under logs in the daytime.
1 | Colouration not strikingly contrasting, calluses being only inconspicuously paler than a dark remaining background (Figs |
2 |
– | Colouration of metaterga more or less strongly contrasting, with very pale calluses against a very dark remaining background (Figs |
6 |
2 | Each metatergum at least with one, rather evident, transverse row of tubercles near caudal margin (Figs |
3 |
– | Metaterga smooth and shining, at most faintly rugulose (Figs |
5 |
3 | Paraterga 1–14 clearly rounded caudolaterally (Fig. |
O. scabra grandis var. nov. |
– | All paraterga clearly sharpened and pointed caudolaterally (Figs |
4 |
4 | A single sternal cone between ♂ coxae 4 (Fig. |
O. arboricola |
– | Two separated sternal cones between ♂ coxae 4 (Fig. |
O. scabra |
5 | Pleurosternal carinae complete and high crests, each with a sharp caudal tooth on segments 2–7 (♂) (Fig. |
O. caramel sp. nov. |
– | Pleurosternal carinae complete high crests, each with a sharp caudal tooth on segments 2–4 (♂, ♀) (Fig. |
O. vietnamica sp. nov. |
6 | Gonopod tip a single, very small, rounded lobule. Virtually no modifications between ♂ coxae 4. Pantropical | O. coarctata |
– | Gonopod tip trifid (Figs |
7 |
7 | Paraterga largely level with or even elevated above dorsum. Sternal cone between ♂ coxae 4 single, large. Distal part of gonopod evidently curved | O. glandulosa |
– | All paraterga set below dorsum. Two small, separated, sternal cones between ♂ coxae 4 (Figs |
8 |
8 | Tarsal brushes present on ♂ legs 1–7. Transverse sulcus complete and distinct until metatergum 17. Sternal cone between ♂ coxae 4 very low. Gonopod telopodite very slender | O. hydrobiologica |
– | Tarsal brushes present also past ♂ leg 10. Transverse sulcus complete and distinct until metatergum 18. Sternal cone between ♂ coxae 4 high (Figs |
9 |
9 | Larger (29–38.5 (♂) or 31–40.5 mm (♀) long and 3.5–4.3 (♂) or 3.6–4.9 mm (♀) wide, respectively). Pleurosternal carinae complete crests on segments 2–4 (♂, ♀), each with an evident sharp denticle caudally, thereafter increasingly strongly reduced until segment 10 (♂). Tarsal brushes present until legs of ♂ segment 10 | O. rotundicollis |
– | Smaller (up to 23 (♂) or 29 mm (♀) long and 2.9–3.2 (♂) or 3.3–3.9 mm (♀) wide, respectively). Pleurosternal carinae complete crests until segment 7 (♂) or 5 (♀), each with an evident sharp denticle caudally, thereafter increasingly strongly reduced until segment 16 (♂, ♀). Tarsal brushes present until ♂ legs 11 | O. rotundicollis subrotundicollis var. nov. |
The phylogenetic analyses performed here are considered as supporting to the traditional morphological taxonomy since it is a single-gene topology. While it should provide some resolution to disentangling Orthomorpha evolutionary history, the limitations of using just one gene are evident. The more so as, due to fixation problems with the DNA, we have only been able to get approximately one-third of the COI gene. In addition, not only sympatric and closely related species, but even certain genera of Paradoxosomatidae sometimes seem to show hybridization (
Distributions of Orthomorpha species (nine species or varieties, excluding the pantropical anthropochore O. coarctata (de Saussure, 1860)) recorded in Vietnam. Open triangle O. hydrobiologica Attems, 1930 Filled circle O. scabra Jeekel, 1964 Open circle O. scabra, grandis var. nov., O. scabra Jeekel, 1964 and O. rotundicollis (Attems, 1937) Crossed square O. rotundicollis, subrotundicollis var. nov., O. caramel sp. nov. and O. vietnamica sp. nov. Filled Inverted triangle O. glandulosa (Attems, 1937) Opened Inverted triangle O. scabra Jeekel, 1964 and O. scabra, grandis var. nov. Open diamond O. glandulosa (Attems, 1937) and O. hydrobiologica Attems, 1930 Filled diamond O. glandulosa (Attems, 1937) Open square O. arboricola (Attems, 1937) and O. rotundicollis (Attems, 1937) Filled square O. rotundicollis (Attems, 1937) and O. coarctata (de Saussure, 1860).
As our study shows (Tables
Based on a different genetic marker (16S ribosomal gene),
We present here only a phylogram rooted in Apheloria virginiensis (Drury, 1770) (Xystodesmidae) as perhaps the closest outgroup currently available (Fig.
However, as noted above, two important taxonomic changes have been accepted following solely our molecular analyses and trees. We simply follow a cautious approach to avoid descriptions of suspicious new taxa/species. These changes concern the admittance of two morphologically distinct (especially so in body size), but genetically unsupported varieties, O. rotundicollis subrotundicollis var. nov. and O. scabra grandis var. nov. Because neither is distinguished from their typical forms by average genetic distances (Table
In any event, although the trees both in
A rooted phylogram based on COI sequences obtained from the relevant literature on Paradoxosomatidae (
A total of eight species and two morphologically distinct varieties of Orthomorpha is currently recognized in the fauna of Vietnam, including two new congeners: O. caramel sp. nov. and O. vietnamica sp. nov. Both new species come from national parks and surrounding areas, thus priority zones for the protection of biodiversity in Vietnam. Several, often two or three species co-exist in one place and are strictly syntopic, this having been observed, e.g., in the pristine tropical forest of the Kon Ka Kinh National Park (Fig.
Most of the Vietnamese species tend to be restricted to the southern parts of Vietnam, except for the likely anthropochore O. hydrobiologica which ranges from Hong Gai, Quảng Ninh Province, northern Vietnam to southern Cambodia. The range of O. coarctata in Vietnam must be even greater, covering most of the country in man-made habitats. No native species seem to exist in northern Vietnam. A similar distribution pattern concerns Laos where no native Orthomorpha seem to populate the northern parts of the country (
There can be little doubt that further new Orthomorpha species and/or records await discovery in Indochina, including Vietnam. This seems particularly topical in the still persisting forested areas of that huge region.
This project was partly funded through grants received from the Office of the Royal Development Projects Board (RDPB), while most of the financial support was obtained from TRF Strategic Basic Research BDG 6080011 (2017–2019) to CS and NL, and TRF Senior Research Scholar RTA 5880002 (2015–2018) and BDC-PG2-160012 to SP. BE is most obliged to the Russian Foundation for Basic Research (RFFI), grant No. 18-04-00256, for the partial financial support rendered to him.
We thank the members of the Animal Systematics Research Unit for their technical assistance in the laboratory. We are also most grateful to the reviewers, Henrik Enghoff (Copenhagen, Denmark), Nesrine Akkari (Vienna, Austria), and Paul E. Marek and Jackson Means (both Blacksburg, Virginia, USA), who have provided constructive criticism and thus considerably helped us improve our paper. Special thanks go to Nathalie Yonow who polished the English of the text.