MYRIAPODOLOGICA Virginia Museum of NATURAL HISTORY Vol. 9, No. 2 ISSN 0163-5395 October 30, 2007 Antillodesmus is a lepturodesmine genus (Polydesmida: Chelodesmidae) By Richard L. Hoffman Abstract The status of the poorly-known genus Anrifiodesmus is evaluated on the basis of its type species, A. grenadanKs Chamberlin, restudied from topotypic material. The evidence from most character systems suggests placement in the tribe Lepturodesmini, already represented in northern South America by four genera. The chelodesmid fauna of the Antilles is incompletely documented, yet the components so far known reflect some diversity in affinities and derivations. Of the 26 nominal genera atttributed to the region, some have been assigned to several disparate tribes of the family, as specified below: 1. Antrogonodesmus, a monotypic Cuban endemic, has been placed in the Chondrodesmini as an element both geographically and structurally disjunct within this tribe, which is centered on the northern Andean region in Colombia, Venezuela, and the Guianas (Hoffman, 2005). 2. Caraihodesmus (and its doubtfully distinct cognate P/atywrodesmus), both endemic in Jamaica, make up a tribe Caraibodesmini (Hoffman, 1979) suspected of having its closest affinity with a presently-undescribed tribe native to Central America. 3. A dozen or so genera endemic to Cuba, Hispaniola, and Puerto Rico appear to be quite closely related to each other (tribe so far unpublished) , having probable affinities with genera in the Andes of Peru and Ecuador. Remaining after the foregoing distribution is Antii/odesmi^s, a poorly-known genus confined to the Windward Islands, which is not very compatible with any of the groups just mentioned. That it has not been the subject of serious consideration can be understood in the context of its brief history in the scientific hterature. Scanned with permission by the Virginia Tech Insect Systematics Group 2014 (www.jointedlegs.org) 4 Myriapodologica Having access to topotypical material of the type species A. grenadanus and repre- sentatives of several apparently related South American genera provided the opportunity to consider the status of the genus, I believe that a good case can be presented to justify assignation of AntjllodesmMS to the tribe Lepturodesmini. Family Chelodesmidae Cook It may be emphasized once again that the current division of this enormous family into the nominal categories Chelodesminae in the New World, and Prepodesminae in the Aifo- tropics, is strictly a matter of convenience and liable to be disavowed following completion of ongoing studies. It seems reasonable to look for existing relatives of Antilkxfermts in that part of South America closest to the Lesser Antilles, viz., north of the Amazon River, and east of the Andes. This region is inhabited by members of six tribes. Three of them (Batodesmini, Trachelodesmini, and Pandirodesmini) may be disqualified at once because of their many highly derived character systems. Remaining for consideration are: 1. Trichomorphini. The several genera associated here (Hoffman, 1979) are confined to the Cordilleran region, Ecuador to Costa Rica, except for the geographically disjunct genus Befanodesmiis (Chamberlin, 1918)representedbyone species on Trinidad. An incon- clusive examination of the type species, B. ihaxteri, suggests that it may be only a species of TrichomoTpha, perhaps introduced into Trinidad from some source in the Andes. In any event, trichomorphines differ from Antiliodesmus by their nearly flat metaterga with distinct transverse sulcus, larger and more acutely produced paranoia, peritrematic region merged anteriorly into the paranotal edge without offset, distally broadened epiproct, and gonocoxae with prominent dorsal apophysis. The only notable trichomorphine character shared by Antiiiodesmits is the presence of subtarsal tibial pads. 2. Chondrodesmini. As defined (Hoffman, 1978) and recently emended (2005), this tribe includes six genera extending from Guiana and Amazonia west across the Andes and north to southern Mexico; a seventh genus is isolated on Cuba. The body form is moderate to large, flattened dorsally with broad paranota, metaterga granulose or with rows of tubercles, peritremata either continuous with paranotal edge or set off by deep marginal notches, sterna broad, usually with subcoxal spines, legs without tibial pads (except in Antrogonodesmits) t gonocoxae with dorsal apophysis of variable size and shape. As there seem to be no obvious taxonomic characters shared with AntiUodesmm, the Chondrodesmini may be excluded as a possible placement. 3. Lepturodesmini. Species of this widespread taxon (Brazil to Trinidad and Oaxaca) vary substantially in body size, but tend to be dorsally convex with smooth metaterga lacking a transverse sulcus, and small paranota; greatest width usually occurs at segments 1-4- The peritremata are either simply a wide part of the paranotal edge, or set off in the form of an ovoid excrescence. Tibial pads and prefemoral distal knobs are usually present. Scanned with permission by the Virginia Tech Insect Systematics Group 2014 (www.jointedlegs.org) Hoffman; Antillodesmus 5 Sternum of 6'*’ segment of males concave. This combination of characters affords the closest match with AnffUodesmws; in general facies a female specimen closely resembles a small species of Cam/?tomor^>/ia. The tribe is represented on Trinidad by the genera Lepturodesmus and ZigwadesTnuSf from which AntilWesmus differs in gonopod structure as well as by lacking any modification of the 3^^ pair of legs (perhaps an instance of character- reversal). On balance, 1 believe that selection of Lepturodesmini as the optimal taxon of placement for AnriWodesmus is the choice that best reflects relationships at least in terms of present knowledge. Tribe Lepturodesmini Lepturodesmirii Hoffman, 1975, Stud. Neotrop, Fauna, 10: 184; 2005, Myriapodologica, 8: 68 . In addition to the originally included taxa (Lcpturodesmws Silvestri, 1898, Eressea Hoffman, 1975; Zigwadesmus Chamberlin, 1918; Campwrnorpha Silvestri, 1898), this tribe now includes Solnenorhnbdzis Hoffman, 1950; Rhaphandra Loomis, 1966; and AntiModesTmiS Chamberlin, 1918. Antillodesmus. Antillodesmus ChamberUn, 1918, Bull. Mus. Comp. Zool., 62: 236. Type species: A. grenadanns Chamberlin, by original designation. Definition: A lepturodesmine genus lacking modification of the 3^** legs of males; peritremata set off ffom paranotal margin, legs of males with both prefemoral knobs and tibial pads, sternum of 6*^ segment concave, epiproct not prolonged and decurved. Gonocoxae flattened, without apophysis or setae, prefemur short, subglobose, with elongate adcuiar process, acropodite with acuminate solenomere and elongate slender process from its base on ventral side. Species: At present considered to be monotypic. Distribution: The Windward Islands of Grenada and St. Vincent. Antillodesmus vincenrii (Pocock) Figures T6. Odontopelds vincendi Pocock, 1894, Joum. Linnean Soc. London, 24: 514, pi. 39, figs. 4-4d. Male holotype (BMNH) from St. Vincent, without further locality. Andllodesmus vincend: Chamberlin, 1918, Bull. Mus. Comp. 2^1., 62; 237. Antillodesmus grauidanus Chamberlin, 1918, Bull. Mus. Comp. Zool., 62: 236. Male holo- type (MCZ) from Grand Etang, Grenada. AntiUodesmus vincend: Loomis, 1934, Smithsonian Misc. Coll,, 89(14): 30, fig, 15. - Hofftnan, 1999, Va, Mus. Nat. Hist, Spec. Publ. 8: 283. Scanned with permission by the Virginia Tech Insect Systematics Group 2014 (www.jointedlegs.org) 6 Myriapodologica Figs. 1-4. AnliWodesmits vincentii (Pocock). 1. Lejft side of head and segments 1-3, dorsal aspect. 2. Left paranota of segments 10 and 1 1, dorsal aspect. 3. Posterior end of body, dorsal aspect. 4. Leg horn midbody segment of male, showing prefemoral knob and tibial pad. Scanned with permission by the Virginia Tech Insect Systematics Group 2014 (www.jointedlegs.org) Hoffinan: Antillodesmus 1 Figs. 5, 6. AntiiioctesmMS vincentii (Pocock). 5. Left gonopod, raesal aspect. 6. Left gonopod, dorsal aspect. The condition of the material at hand precludes preparation of a detailed description, the published accounts by Pocock and Chamberlin provide adequate information on details of peripheral characters. Several aspects ofparanotal shape and leg structure are shown in Figures T4- Loomis was probably correct in assuming conspecificity of material from St. Vincent and Grenada, but this status should ultimately be verified by examination of the type material Scanned with permission by the Virginia Tech Insect Systematics Group 2014 (www.jointedlegs.org) 8 Myriapodologica of vincentiL Pocock’s original description and illustrations are detailed and accurate; it appears that Chamberlin based grenadanus as much on its occupancy of a different small island as any tangible structural character. It is interesting that H. H. Smith, who collected millipeds on both islands, did not encounter this species on Grenada although it was found there by Roland Thaxter in 1912 and by H. F. Loomis in 1932. According to the latest version of the ICZN (date) Pocock’s original spelling with the termination “ii” must be preserved. Presumably, he based the patronym on the Latinized form“Vincentius”of the saint’s name, and not on the modem name of the island itself. UTERATURE CITED Chamberlin, R. V, 1918. The Chilopoda and Diplopoda of the West Indies. Bull. Mus. Comp. ZooL, 62: 1-262. Hoffman, R. L. 1975. Chelodesmid studies. VII. A synopsis of the tribe Lepturodesmini (Polydesmida). Stud. Neotrop. Fauna, 10: 183-200. Hoffman, R. L. 1978. Chelodesmid studies. XL A new genus and species from Venezuela, referable to the new tribe Chondrodesmini. Rev. suisse zooL, 85: 543-551. Hoffman, R. L. 1978. Chelodesmid studies. XfV. On the systematic status of the genera Caraibodesmiis and Platyurodesmus, and the proposal of the new tribe Caraibodesmini. Myriapodologica 1: 9-18. Hoffman, R. L 1 979. Chelodesmid studies. VIII. A new milliped of the genus Tric/iomorpha from Cocos Island, with notes on related species and the proposal of the new tribe Trichomorphini (Polydesmida: Chelodesmidae). Contr. Sci. Nat. Hist. Mus. Los Angeles County, 305: 3-7. Loomis, H. F. 1934. Millipeds of the West Indies and Guiana collected by the AllisonV. Armour Expedition in 1932. Smithsonian Misc. CoU. 89(14): 1-69. Pocock, R. I. 1894- Contributions to our knowledge of the arthropod fauna of the West Indies.- Part III. Diplopoda and Malacopoda, with a supplement on the Arachnida of the Class Pedipalpi. Joum. Linnean Soc. London, 24: 473-544. Address of the author: Dr. Richard L. Hoffman Virginia Museum of Natural History 2 1 Starling Avenue Martinsville, Virginia 24122, USA Scanned with permission by the Virginia Tech Insect Systematics Group 2014 (www.jointedlegs.org)