Aphilodon

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Aphilodon
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Myriapoda
Class: Chilopoda
Order: Geophilomorpha
Family: Geophilidae
Subfamily: Aphilodontinae
Genus: Aphilodon
Silvestri, 1898
Type species
Aphilodon spegazzinii
Silvestri, 1898
Synonyms
  • BrasilophilusVerhoeff, 1908
  • MecistauchenusBrölemann, 1907

Aphilodon is a genus of soil centipedes in the subfamily Aphilodontinae, a clade formerly known as the family Aphilodontidae [1] but now deemed a subfamily within the family Geophilidae. [2] [3] These centipedes are found in South America. [2] This genus includes sixteen species and is the most diverse of the Neotropical genera in the subfamily Aphilodontinae. [4]

Contents

Taxonomy

This genus was first described by the Italian zoologist Filippo Silvestri in 1898 to contain the newly discovered type species A. spegazzinii. [5] In 1902, the French myriapodologist Henri W. Brölemann described the second species assigned to this genus, A. micronyx. [6] In 1907, Brölemann proposed a new genus, Mecistauchenus, to contain A. micronyx as its type species. [7] In 1908, the German zoologist Karl W. Verhoeff proposed another new genus, Brasilophilus, also to contain A. micronyx as its type species, but in 1909, Brölemann deemed Brasilophilus to be a junior synonym of Mecistauchenus. [8] [9]

In 2019, the biologists Victor C. Calvanese, Antonio D. Brescovit, and Lucio Bonato conducted a phylogenetic analysis of the subfamily Aphilodontinae based on morphology. This analysis placed the monotypic genus Mecistauchenus in a clade with the Neotropical species of Aphilodon, including A. spegazzinii. Calvanese, Brescovit, and Bonato concluded that both Brasilophilus and Mecistauchenus are junior synonyms of Aphilodon, thereby returning A. micronyx to the genus Aphilodon. [2] Some authorities, however, continue to list Mecistauchenus micronyx as the valid name for this species. [10]

This phylogenetic analysis also placed five South African species assigned to Aphilodon in a clade with the monotypic genus Philacroterium . After an examination of the type material for most of the South African species assigned to Aphilodon and a review of the original description of the other, Calvanese, Brescovit, and Bonato moved all South African species previously assigned to Aphilodon to the genus Philacroterium. [2] Some authorities, however, continue to list these species in Aphilodon and to assign only one species to Philacroterium. [3] [11]

Distribution and habitats

As revised by Calvanese, Brescovit, and Bonato, the genus Aphilodon contains only species found in South America. Species have been recorded in the Pampas in Argentina, the Atlantic Forest in eastern Paraguay and in southern and southeastern Brazil, and in the Pantanal in Brazil. [2] Other Aphilodon species have been found in northeastern Brazil, in the states of Bahai and Piaui and in the Caatinga biome. [4]

Published accounts report finding Aphilodon species in rotting wood, leaf litter, and humus. Species have also been found under the bark of fallen wood and in the first layers of soil under large stones. [2] Other species have been found in ravines, beside streams, under logs or rocks, or near roots, from 1 cm to 10 cm below the surface, in high forests or in forest fragments in open areas. [4]

Description

The lateral parts of the labrum in this genus are thin membranes. The distal element of the second maxillae features three articles, with the base of the third article usually more than half as wide as the base of the second article. The sclerite in front of the forcipular tergite is shorter than one-third the length of the head. The sternites of both the forcipular segment and the first leg-bearing segment are wider than long. [2] [12]

Each of the ultimate legs in this genus features only six rather than seven articles, with only one tarsal article rather than two. [13] These legs feature a small terminal spine rather than a claw at the distal end in both males and females. [2] The ultimate legs are slender in females and only moderately thicker in males. [4]

Centipedes in this genus range from 7 mm to 70 mm in length and can have as few as 37 or as many as 93 pairs of legs. The species A. meganae is notable for its small size (ranging from 7 mm to 8 mm in length) and modest number of legs (37 in males and 39 in females), fewer than recorded in any other Aphilodon species for each sex. The species A. modestus (measuring 9 mm in length) and A. aiuruocae (ranging from 7 mm to 10 mm in length) are also notable for their small sizes. The species A. micronyx (ranging from 30 mm to 70 mm) and A. pereirai (ranging from 20 mm to 70 mm) are both notable for their large sizes. The species A. cangaceiro is notable for its many legs, with as many as 91 pairs in males and 93 pairs in females. [4]

Phylogeny

A phylogenetic analysis of the subfamily Aphilodontinae based on morphology places the genus Aphilodon in a clade with the genus Mairata , which emerges as the most closely related genus in a phylogenetic tree. [2] While the genus Aphilodon exhibits many traits shared by others in this subfamily, such as forcipules with only three articles and sternites without ventral pores, [4] this genus shares a more extensive set of traits with the genus Mairata. For example, in both Aphilodon and Mairata, the ultimate legs in both sexes each feature only six articles (with only one tarsal article) and no terminal claw. [13] [2] Furthermore, in both Aphilodon and Mairata, the sclerite in front of the forcipular tergite is shorter than one-third the length of the head, and the sternites of both the forcipular segment and the first leg-bearing segment are wider than long. [2]

Centipedes in the genus Aphilodon can be distinguished from those in the genus Mairata, however, based on other traits. For example, the ultimate article of the second maxillae is reduced in size in Mairata but not in Aphilodon. These two genera can also be distinguished based on features of the ultimate legs. For example, the ultimate legs end in a small terminal spine in each sex in Aphilodon, but this spine is absent in each sex in Mairata. Furthermore, the ultimate legs of the male in Aphilodon are only moderately thickened, whereas the ultimate legs of the male in Mairata are strikingly swollen, with the third, fourth, and fifth articles wider than long, and the tarsal article globose. Moreover, the tarsal article of the ultimate legs of the female broadens towards the tip in Mairata but not in Aphilodon. [2] [4]

Species

This genus contains the following species: [4]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Geophilidae</span> Family of centipedes

Geophilidae is a family of soil centipedes in the superfamily Geophiloidea and the order Geophilomorpha. In 2014, a phylogenetic analysis based on morphological and molecular data found this family to be polyphyletic. To avoid this polyphyly, authorities dismissed the families Aphilodontidae, Dignathodontidae, Linotaeniidae, and Macronicophilidae, which are now deemed to be junior synonyms for Geophilidae. Authorities also moved some genera from Geophilidae to form the family Zelanophildae in order to avoid the polyphyly of the family Geophilidae. The family Geophilidae now includes more than 650 species in more than 120 genera. This family has a cosmopolitan distribution, with species found almost worldwide.

<i>Geophilus hadesi</i> Species of centipede

Geophilus hadesi is a species of soil centipede in the family Geophilidae. This centipede is a troglobite, spending its entire life cycle in a cave environment. This species and Geophilus persephones are the only two troglobites known in the order Geophilomorpha. The species G. hadesi is named after Hades, god of the underworld in Greek mythology and the husband of Persephone, the namesake of the first troglobite discovered among the soil centipedes. The species G. hadesi has been observed in a cave as far as 1,100 meters below the surface, the deepest underground that any centipede has ever been recorded.

<i>Geophilus</i> Genus of centipedes

Geophilus is a large, heterogeneous genus of soil centipedes in the family Geophilidae largely considered to be synonymous with Brachygeophilus. The generic name first appeared in Brewster's Edinburgh Encyclopaedia in 1814 as Geophilus electricus. This genus has a Holarctic distribution.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aphilodontidae</span> Family of centipedes

Aphilodontidae is a monophyletic clade of soil centipedes in the family Geophilidae found in South America and South Africa. These centipedes are closely related to Geoperingueyia and characterized by shieldlike setae on the front of the head, lateral parts of the flattened cuticle above the mouthparts, and combined forcipular trochanteroprefemur and femur. The number of legs in this clade varies within species as well as among species and ranges from as few as 33 pairs of legs to as many as 93 pairs. The three species in the Brazilian genus Mecophilus have the fewest legs and smallest size in this clade. The two species with the fewest legs in the Neotropical genus Aphilodon also feature notably modest numbers: A. meganae and A. indespectus. A. meganae is also notable for its small size, the smallest in its genus. Species with more legs also exhibit greater variation in the number of leg pairs. The largest species in this clade can reach 70 mm in length.

Geomerinus is a monotypic genus of centipedes in the family Geophilidae. It was described by French myriapodologist Henry Wilfred Brolemann in 1912. Its sole species is Geomerinus curtipes, originally described as Geophilus curtipes by Erich Haase in 1887. It is endemic to Australia.

Pachymerinus is a genus of centipedes in the family Geophilidae. It was described by Italian entomologist Filippo Silvestri in 1905. Centipedes in this genus feature elongate heads, elongate forcipules with denticles, scattered coxal pores, and few sternal pores, if any; the intermediate part of the labrum is narrow and has no denticles. These centipedes range from about 3 cm to 8 cm in length, have 47 to 81 pairs of legs, and are found in Chile and southeast Australia. The Australian species Pachymerinus froggatti is notable for its relatively small size, measuring only 28 mm in length. The larger Chilean species P. porteri measures 46 mm in length but can have as few as 47 leg pairs, the minimum number recorded in this genus. The Chilean species P. pluripes measures only 32 mm in length but can have 79 or 81 leg pairs, the maximum number recorded in this genus. The Chilean species P. canaliculatus is known from a female specimen with 75 leg pairs and is notable for its large size, measuring 75 mm in length.

Ribautia rainbowi is a species of centipede in the Geophilidae family. It is endemic to Australia, and was first described in 1912 by French myriapodologist Henry Wilfred Brolemann.

Schendyla is a genus of soil centipedes in the family Schendylidae. These centipedes are found in the west Palearctic region. This genus was described by Danish entomologists Vilhelm Bergsøe and Frederik Vilhelm August Meinert in 1866. This genus now includes more than 20 species.

Ribautia pruvotae is a species of centipede in the Geophilidae family. It is endemic to New Caledonia, a French overseas territory in Melanesia. It was described in 1931 by French myriapodologist Henry Wilfred Brolemann.

Dinogeophilus is a genus of soil centipedes in the family Schendylidae. This genus contains only two species, Dinogeophilus pauropus and D. oligopodus, which range from 4.5 to 5.5 mm in length. These species are notable as the smallest not only in the order Geophilomorpha but also in any epimorphic order of centipedes. The species D. oligopodus is also notable as one of only six species of soil centipedes to feature only 29 pairs of legs and one of only two species to include females with only 29 pairs, the minimum number recorded for females in the order Geophilomorpha.

Mecophilus is a genus of soil centipedes in the subfamily Aphilodontinae, a clade formerly known as the family Aphilodontidae but now deemed a subfamily within the family Geophilidae. The species in this genus are among the smallest centipedes in the order Geophilomorpha, reaching only 8 mm in length. This genus is also notable for featuring the fewest legs in the subfamily Aphilodontinae. The species in this genus are found in the Atlantic Forest in south and southeastern Brazil.

Geophilus oligopus is a species of soil centipede in the family Geophilidae. This centipede is found in several European countries, including Austria, the Czech Republic, Italy, Croatia, Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovenia, and Romania. Although this centipede has been described as having an Alpine-Dinaric distribution, this species has also been found in the Carpathian mountains and may be more widespread than previously thought.

Dinogeophilus oligopodus is a species of soil centipede in the family Schendylidae. This centipede ranges from 4.5 to 5.5 mm in length, the smallest size recorded not only in the order Geophilomorpha but also in any epimorphic order of centipedes. This species is also notable as one of only six species in the order Geophilomorpha to feature only 29 pairs of legs and one of only two species to include females with only 29 pairs, the minimum number recorded for females in this order.

Mecophilus tupiniquim is a species of soil centipede in the subfamily Aphilodontinae, a clade formerly known as the family Aphilodontidae but now deemed a subfamily within the family Geophilidae. This centipede is notable for its small size and modest number of legs. This species is found in Brazil.

Escaryus is a genus of soil centipedes in the family Schendylidae. These centipedes are notable as schendylids adapted to colder temperatures and restricted to cool climates and high latitudes. With more than 30 species, this genus is easily the largest group of such centipedes in the family Schendylidae. Most schendylids are limited to tropical or subtropical regions.

Alloschizotaenia is a genus of soil centipedes in the family Geophilidae. This genus contains only three valid species. Centipedes in this genus are found in central and east Africa.

Escaryus kirgizicus is a species of soil centipede in the family Schendylidae. As the species name suggests, this centipede is found in Kyrgyzstan. This species is known only from high mountains and is notable for being found at one of the highest altitudes recorded for any centipede in the order Geophilomorpha in Central Asia.

Mairata is a genus of soil centipedes in the subfamily Aphilodontinae, a clade formerly known as the family Aphilodontidae but now deemed a subfamily within the family Geophilidae. This genus contains only two species: M. itatiaiensis and the type species M. butantan. Both species are found in the Atlantic Forest of southeastern Brazil.

Mairata itatiaiensis is a species of soil centipede in the subfamily Aphilodontinae, a clade formerly known as the family Aphilodontidae but now deemed a subfamily within the family Geophilidae. This centipede can reach 41 mm in length and can have either 61 or 63 pairs of legs. This species is found in the Atlantic Forest of southeastern Brazil.

Aphilodon bahianus is a species of soil centipede in the subfamily Aphilodontinae, a clade formerly known as the family Aphilodontidae but now deemed a subfamily within the family Geophilidae. This centipede can reach 21 mm in length and can have either 63 or 65 pairs of legs. This species is found in Brazil.

References

  1. ↑ Bonato, Lucio; Edgecombe, Gregory D.; Zapparoli, Marzio (2011). "Chilopoda – Taxonomic overview". In Minelli, Alessandro (ed.). The Myriapoda. Volume 1. Leiden: Brill. pp. 363–443 [407-408]. ISBN   978-90-04-18826-6. OCLC   812207443.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Calvanese, Victor C.; Brescovit, Antonio D.; Bonato, Lucio (2019-11-15). "Revision of the Neotropical species of Aphilodontinae (Geophilomorpha, Geophilidae), with eight new species and a first phylogenetic analysis of the subfamily". Zootaxa. 4698 (1): 1–72 [4, 9–11, 20–21, 41–46, 54–55, 57, 69–70]. doi:10.11646/zootaxa.4698.1.1. ISSN   1175-5334.
  3. 1 2 Bonato, L.; Chagas Junior, A.; Edgecombe, G.D.; Lewis, J.G.E.; Minelli, A.; Pereira, L.A.; Shelley, R.M.; Stoev, P.; Zapparoli, M. (2016). "Aphilodon Silvestri, 1898". ChiloBase 2.0 - A World Catalogue of Centipedes (Chilopoda). Retrieved 2024-12-27.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Calvanese, Victor C.; Brescovit, Antonio D. (7 March 2022). "Six new species of Aphilodon centipedes (Geophilidae: Aphilodontinae) from Brazil". Zootaxa. 5105 (4): 539–558 [539–541, 543–544, 547, 549, 552]. doi:10.11646/zootaxa.5105.4.4. ISSN   1175-5334. PMID   35391288.
  5. ↑ Silvestri, Filippo; Silvestri, Filippo (1898). "Nova Geophiloidea Argentina". Comunicaciones del Museo nacional de Buenos Aires (in Latin). 1: 39–40 [40] – via Biodiversity Heritage Library.
  6. ↑ Brolemann, Henry Wilfred; Brolemann, Henry Wilfred (1901). "Myriapodes du Musée de Sao Paulo". Revista do Museu Paulista (in French). 5: 35–237 [46–48]. doi:10.5962/bhl.part.9824 – via Biodiversity Heritage Library.
  7. ↑ Brolemann, Henry W. (1907). "Mecistauchenus, nouveau genre de Géophilide [Myriap.]". Bulletin de la Société entomologique de France. 12 (16): 282–283. doi:10.3406/bsef.1907.24189.
  8. ↑ Brolemann, Henry Wilfred; Brolemann, Henry Wilfred (1909). "A propos d'un système des Géophilomorphes". Archives de zoologie expérimentale et générale (in French). 43: 303–340 [321] – via Biodiversity Heritage Library.
  9. ↑ Bonato, L.; Chagas Junior, A.; Edgecombe, G.D.; Lewis, J.G.E.; Minelli, A.; Pereira, L.A.; Shelley, R.M.; Stoev, P.; Zapparoli, M. (2016). "Brasilophilus Verhoeff, 1908". ChiloBase 2.0 - A World Catalogue of Centipedes (Chilopoda). Retrieved 2024-12-27.
  10. ↑ Bonato, L.; Chagas Junior, A.; Edgecombe, G.D.; Lewis, J.G.E.; Minelli, A.; Pereira, L.A.; Shelley, R.M.; Stoev, P.; Zapparoli, M. (2016). "Mecistauchenus micronyx (Brölemann,1902)". ChiloBase 2.0 - A World Catalogue of Centipedes (Chilopoda). Retrieved 2024-12-27.
  11. ↑ Bonato, L.; Chagas Junior, A.; Edgecombe, G.D.; Lewis, J.G.E.; Minelli, A.; Pereira, L.A.; Shelley, R.M.; Stoev, P.; Zapparoli, M. (2016). "Philacroterium Attems, 1926". ChiloBase 2.0 - A World Catalogue of Centipedes (Chilopoda). Retrieved 2024-12-27.
  12. ↑ Bonato, Lucio; Edgecombe, Gregory; Lewis, John; Minelli, Alessandro; Pereira, Luis; Shelley, Rowland; Zapparoli, Marzio (2010-11-18). "A common terminology for the external anatomy of centipedes (Chilopoda)". ZooKeys (69): 17–51. Bibcode:2010ZooK...69...17B. doi: 10.3897/zookeys.69.737 . ISSN   1313-2970. PMC   3088443 . PMID   21594038.
  13. 1 2 Calvanese, Victor C.; Brescovit, Antonio D. (2022-01-18). "A new species of Mecophilus (Geophilidae: Aphilodontinae), with the first report of the genus from the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil". Zootaxa. 5092 (1): 134–142 [142]. doi:10.11646/zootaxa.5092.1.8. ISSN   1175-5334.
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