Abstract
Lophoturus queenslandicus Verhoeff, 1924 was the first penicillate millipede in the family Lophoproctidae collected from Cairns, a tropical region in Queensland, Australia, to be formally described. Specimens collected from this region in a recent study had the morphological characters known to define this genus. However, their body form and length, as well as dorsal colouration proved to be different, suggesting the possibility of more than one Lophoturus species. This assertion was supported by the results of a phylogenetic analysis of DNA extracted and sequenced using 18S and COI regions from L. queenslandicus and two undescribed species from this genus. Specimens preserved in ethanol can prove difficult to confidently identify to species level because their colour gradually fades. Examination of live specimens with their body colour visible, together with morphological characters and DNA analysis is the most reliable way of correctly distinguishing between these three species. Two new species, L. boondallus sp. n. and L. molloyensis sp. n. collected in Queensland, Australia are described.
Highlights
Penicillate millipedes from family Lophoproctidae Silvestri, 1897 are characterised as lacking ommatidia, having 13 pairs of legs, a gnathochilarium with medial palpCopyright Cuong Huynh,Anneke A.Veenstra
Lophoturus queenslandicus Verhoeff, 1924 was the first lophoproctid penicillate millipede collected from Ravenshoe, Australia (Condé 1979)
L. queenslandicus Verhoeff, 1924, L. boondallus sp. n. and L. molloyensis sp. n. all exhibit many similar morphological characteristics i.e. labrum with setose surface and a pair of linguiform processes, 3 thick sensilla (thick sensilla: located in anterior position (Ta), intermediate position (Ti) and posterior position (Tp)) on the 6th antennal article, which are typical characteristics of genus Lophoturus
Summary
Penicillate millipedes from family Lophoproctidae Silvestri, 1897 are characterised as lacking ommatidia, having 13 pairs of legs (except Lophoturus madecassus Marquet & Condé, 1950 having only 11 pairs of legs), a gnathochilarium with medial palpCopyright Cuong Huynh,Anneke A.Veenstra. Only; the 7th and 8th antennal articles are equal in length and reduced sensory cones, coxal glands absent in male, and simple claw structure These millipedes are commonly found in low light environments such as deep leaf litter or cave habitats. Ishii et al (1999) provided a key to the 5 genera in the Lophoproctidae based on the labrum structure and the number of sensilla on the 6th antennal article These genera are Alloproctoides Marquet & Condé, 1950; Ancistroxenus Schubart, 1947; Lophoproctinus Silvestri, 1948; Lophoproctus Pocock, 1894 and Lophoturus Brölemann, 1931. Penicillate millipedes collected from this region had morphological characters known to define the genus Lophoturus Their body form and length, as well as dorsal colouration proved to be different, suggesting the possibility of more than one species. The region, where the holotype of L. queenslandicus was first found, was visited and fresh specimens collected for comparison with two new Lophoturus species collected in Queensland, Australia are described below
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