Latest Articles from ZooKeys Latest 4 Articles from ZooKeys https://zookeys.pensoft.net/ Fri, 29 Mar 2024 16:13:20 +0200 Pensoft FeedCreator https://zookeys.pensoft.net/i/logo.jpg Latest Articles from ZooKeys https://zookeys.pensoft.net/ The Oriental millipede genus Nepalella Shear, 1979, with the description of a new species from Thailand and an updated key (Diplopoda, Chordeumatida, Megalotylidae) https://zookeys.pensoft.net/article/78744/ ZooKeys 1084: 183-199

DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1084.78744

Authors: Natdanai Likhitrakarn, Sergei I. Golovatch, Somsak Panha

Abstract: The Oriental genus Nepalella is reviewed, rediagnosed and shown to comprise 28 species, including N. siamensis sp. nov. from southeastern Thailand. All Nepalella species are keyed, and their distributions mapped, being highly localized and mainly allopatric. Unlike most congeners, which are largely confined to subtropical environments (including montane to high-montane conditions, up to 3800 m a.s.l.) or karst caves (eight species, all in southern China alone), the new species is the southernmost in the distribution area of the entire genus, also being among the very few (four) that are restricted to lowland, purely tropical habitats.

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Research Article Tue, 1 Feb 2022 10:22:20 +0200
Millipede and centipede assemblages on the northern and southern slopes of the lowland Altais, southwestern Siberia, Russia (Diplopoda, Chilopoda) https://zookeys.pensoft.net/article/21936/ ZooKeys 741: 219-254

DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.741.21936

Authors: Pavel S. Nefediev, Gyulli Sh. Farzalieva, Ivan H. Tuf, Khozhiakbar Kh. Nedoev, Saparmurad T. Niyazov

Abstract: The total species richness in the myriapod assemblages of the lowland Altais near Charyshskoe Village, Altai Province, southwestern Siberia, Russia is estimated to be at least 19 species from ten genera, eight families, five orders, and two classes. The following species are new to SW Siberia: Lithobius (Ezembius) ostiacorum Stuxberg, 1876, L. vagabundus Stuxberg, 1876, and L. (Monotarsobius) nordenskioeldii Stuxberg, 1876, while L. (E.) proximus Sseliwanoff, 1880 and L. (M.) insolens Dányi & Tuf, 2012 are recorded for the first time from the Altai Province of Russia. A species of Strigamia which is morphologically similar to Strigamia cf. transsilvanica (Verhoeff, 1928) has been found in the study area but its true specific identity is yet to be determined. The seasonal dynamics of myriapod assemblages in terms of the species diversity, density, sex-age structure, and vertical distribution along the soil profile have been studied with regard to the different slope exposures.

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Research Article Wed, 7 Mar 2018 22:59:22 +0200
Interaction of the tracheal tubules of Scutigera coleoptrata (Chilopoda, Notostigmophora) with glandular structures of the pericardial septum https://zookeys.pensoft.net/article/5540/ ZooKeys 510: 233-242

DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.510.8644

Authors: Gero Hilken, Gregory D. Edgecombe, Carsten H.G. Mueller, Andy Sombke, Christian S. Wirkner, Jörg Rosenberg

Abstract: Notostigmophora (Scutigeromorpha) exhibit a special tracheal system compared to other Chilopoda. The unpaired spiracles are localized medially on the long tergites and open into a wide atrium from which hundreds of tracheal tubules originate and extend into the pericardial sinus. Previous investigators reported that the tracheal tubules float freely in the hemolymph. However, here we show for the first time that the tracheal tubules are anchored to a part of the pericardial septum. Another novel finding is this part of the pericardial septum is structured as an aggregated gland on the basis of its specialized epithelium being formed by hundreds of oligocellular glands. It remains unclear whether the pericardial septum has a differently structure in areas that lack a connection with tracheal tubules. The tracheal tubules come into direct contact with the canal cells of the glands that presumably secrete mucous substances covering the entire luminal cuticle of the tracheal tubules. Connections between tracheae and glands have not been observed in any other arthropods.

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Research Article Tue, 30 Jun 2015 00:00:00 +0300
Species limits and phylogeography of Newportia (Scolopendromorpha) and implications for widespread morphospecies https://zookeys.pensoft.net/article/5525/ ZooKeys 510: 65-77

DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.510.8573

Authors: Gregory Edgecombe, Varpu Vahtera, Gonzalo Giribet, Pipsa Kaunisto

Abstract: The genus Newportia Gervais, 1847, includes some 60 nominal species distributed in the Caribbean islands and from Mexico to central South America. Modern keys to species and subspecies are available, greatly facilitating identification, but some species are based on few specimens and have incomplete documentation of taxonomically-informative characters. In order to explore genetic variability and evolutionary relationships within geographically-widespread morphospecies, specimens of N. (N.) stolli (Pocock, 1896) and N. (N.) divergens Chamberlin, 1922, two nominal species distinguished principally by differences in suture patterns on T1, were sequenced for mitochondrial 16S rRNA and cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) genes from populations in southern Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras and Brazil. N. (N.) stolli is paraphyletic with respect to N. (N.) divergens within a clade from Guatemala, Honduras, and Chiapas (Mexico), most trees being consistent with a single loss of a connection between the anterior transverse suture on T1, whereas specimens of “N. (N.) stolli” from Brazil are not closely allied to those from the Mesomerican type area. The widespread morphospecies N. (N.) monticola Pocock, 1890, was sequenced for the same loci from populations in Costa Rica, Colombia and Brazil, finding that specimens from these areas do not unite as a monophyletic group. Samples of N. (N.) oreina Chamberlin, 1915, from different regions of Mexico form geographic clusters that resolve as each other’s closest relatives. These results suggest that some widespread species of Newportia may be taxa of convenience more so than natural groupings. In several cases geographic proximity fits the phylogeny better than taxonomy, suggesting that non-monophyletic species do not result from use of inappropriate molecular markers. Molecular identification is possible for specimens missing taxonomically informative morphological characters, notably damaged specimens that lack the ultimate leg pair, a protocol that may also apply to other taxonomically difficult genera that are prone to damage (such as Cryptops).

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Research Article Tue, 30 Jun 2015 00:00:00 +0300