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Type: Articles
Published: 2011-09-06
Page range: 52–60
Abstract views: 112
PDF downloaded: 2

A new Colombian species in the milliped genus Psammodesmus, symbiotic host for bryophytes (Polydesmida: Platyrhacidae)

Virginia Museum of Natural History, Martinsville, Virginia 24112, U.S.A
Instituto de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Edificio 425, Oficina 105, Bogotá, Colombia
Instituto de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Colombia. A.A. 7495, Bogotá, Colombia
Myriapoda Psammodesmus new species redescription Platyrhacidae Diplopoda commensal mosses Colombia Ecuador

Abstract

The name Psammodesmus bryophorus is proposed for an ornate platyrhacid milliped discovered in a transitional AndeanPacific montane rainforest in Nariño Department, Colombia. This species is remarkable for being the first milliped known to be host of ectocommensal mosses (10 species belonging to 5 families including especially Pilotrichaceae and Lejeuneaceae) that grow on the milliped’s dorsum The species is likewise of interest in that the male genitalia are similar to those of the Ecuadorian Psammodesmus fasciolatus Silvestri, while peripheral structures differ in a number of details. Both species are described and illustrated from type material. The effect of this situation on future conduct of platyrhacid taxonomy is highlighted.

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