A new species of the pill millipede genus Rhopalomeris Verhoeff, 1906 (Diplopoda, Glomerida, Glomeridae) from Myanmar, and notes on Rhopalomeris carnifex (Pocock, 1889)
Issued Date
2024-01-01
Resource Type
ISSN
13132989
eISSN
13132970
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85207820593
Journal Title
ZooKeys
Volume
2024
Issue
1215
Start Page
235
End Page
257
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
ZooKeys Vol.2024 No.1215 (2024) , 235-257
Suggested Citation
Likhitrakarn N., Golovatch S.I., Srisonchai R., Jirapatrasilp P., Sapparojpattana P., Jeratthitikul E., Panha S., Sutcharit C. A new species of the pill millipede genus Rhopalomeris Verhoeff, 1906 (Diplopoda, Glomerida, Glomeridae) from Myanmar, and notes on Rhopalomeris carnifex (Pocock, 1889). ZooKeys Vol.2024 No.1215 (2024) , 235-257. 257. doi:10.3897/zookeys.1215.130919 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/101936
Title
A new species of the pill millipede genus Rhopalomeris Verhoeff, 1906 (Diplopoda, Glomerida, Glomeridae) from Myanmar, and notes on Rhopalomeris carnifex (Pocock, 1889)
Corresponding Author(s)
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
The taxonomy of the pill millipede genus Rhopalomeris Verhoeff, 1906, which is restrict-ed to Indochina and currently comprises six described species, is refined and updated. An integrative taxonomic approach was employed that combines morphological exam-ination with DNA barcoding using the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene for species identification and delineation. The first objective was to confirm the identity of Rhopalomeris carnifex (Pocock, 1889), a charismatic species known as the “candy pill millipede” due to its vivid coloration, based on specimens collected near the type locality in Myanmar. The second objective was to describe a new species, Rhopalomeris nigroflava Likhitrakarn, sp. nov., discovered in Linno Gu, Kayin State, Myanmar. This new species is distinguished by its small body size (5.1–9.7 mm long) and yellow body with contrasting brown to blackish markings on certain terga. In addition, the position of the telopod syncoxital lobe relative to the lateral syncoxite horns separates it from other Rhopalomeris species. The interspecific divergence between R. nigroflava Likhitrakarn, sp. nov. and other congeners ranges from 10.85% to 16.13%, based on uncorrected COI p-distances, while the intraspecific divergence was 0%–7.44%. A distribution map of and a revised identification key to all known species of Rhopalomeris are also provided.