A revision of the taxonomy and distribution of Archispirostreptus Silvestri 1895 (Diplopoda, Spirostreptida, Spirostreptidae), and description of a new spirostreptid genus with three new species

Abstract

As it is currently defined, Archispirostreptus includes two species groups (the southern African and the east African) with distinct kinds of gonopods. A new genus, Cacuminostreptus Mwabvu, is proposed to accommodate the southern African species which include C. conatus (Attems 1928) comb. n. and three new species, C. vumbaensis Mwabvu, C. triangulatus Mwabvu and C. mazowensis Mwabvu. Two new synonymies are established: A. Cecchii Silvestri 1897 = A. phillipsii Pocock 1896 and A. transmarinus Hoffman 1965 = A. syriacus (Saussure 1859). The species A. arabs Pocock 1895 is incertae sedis; and A. sumptuosus Silvestri 1896 is a nomen dubium. Identification keys to the genera and species based on gonopod morphology and distribution data are presented.

Methane Production and Methanogenic Archaea in the Digestive Tracts of Millipedes (Diplopoda)

“…Species determination of A. gigas was verified based on gonopod morphology after Mwabvu et al [35]. The tropical species were kept at about 25°C on horticultural substrate plus hardwood leaf litter.…”

“…As noted earlier, the tropical species E. pulchripes and A. gigas were obtained from a pet shop and from individual breeders. Species determination of A. gigas was verified based on gonopod morphology after Mwabvu et al [35] . The tropical species were kept at about 25°C on horticultural substrate plus hardwood leaf litter.…”

Hidden biodiversity revealed by collections-based research—Laboulbeniales in millipedes: genus Rickia

“…Notes on hosts:-Archispirosteptus gigas is one of the World's largest millipedes, reaching 260 mm in length and 19 mm in diameter. It is widespread in eastern tropical Africa (Mwabvu et al 2010). 'Spirostreptus' hamatus is a moderate-sized spirostreptid, up to 10 cm long and 5 mm diameter, it occurs in the Tanzanian Eastern Arc mountains (Enghoff et al in press).…”

Three-dimensional chitin rings from body segments of a pet diplopod species: Characterization and protein interaction studies

“…The species Archispirostreptus gigas is one of the largest diplopods, reaching up to 38.5 cm in length and 6.7 cm in circumference [23]. This species lives in regions from Mozambique to Kenya, and it has also a cosmopolitan distribution in east African coast limited to altitudes of below 1000 m [24,25]. This organism has a relatively large and segmented body, it can be cultured easily and it is also known as a pet.…”