Pavel S. Nefediev

Revision of Disphaerobius Attems, 1926 (Chilopoda: Lithobiomorpha: Lithobiidae: Pterygoterginae), a centipede genus with remarkable sexual dimorphism

Disphaerobius Attems, 1926, the sole constituent genus of the subfamily Pterygoterginae, is synonymized with Pterygotergum Verhoeff, 1934 syn. nov., and is shown to comprise only two species: D. svenhedini (Verhoeff, 1934) comb. nov. ex Pterygotergum, and D. loricatus (Sseliwanoff, 1881) (= Lithobius magnificus Trotzina, 1895), both syn. nov. and comb. nov. ex Lithobius Leach, 1814. Disphaerobius is rediagnosed, both of its basically Central Asian species are redescribed from fresh material of both sexes, and their distributions are mapped. Disphaerobius svenhedini is newly recorded from S Kazakhstan and W Mongolia. New material of D. loricatus is also recorded. Sexual dimorphic characters in Lithobiomorpha are briefly discussed, these being considered especially strongly pronounced and unique in Disphaerobius.

Lithobius (Chinobius) yuchernovi, a new lithobiid species from northeastern Siberia and the Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia (Chilopoda, Lithobiomorpha)

Abstract Lithobius yuchernovi sp. n. is described, based on type material from the Ola Plateau, Magadan Region, Russia. The new species is widely distributed in northeastern Siberia, ranging from the Magadan Region, until the eastern Chukot Autonomous Region and the Kamchatka Peninsula in the southeast, whence non-type material is documented. This species belongs to the subgenus Chinobius Matic, 1973 based on the structure of the female gonopodal claw (more than two denticles on the internal ridge). It differs from all Palearctic species of the genus Lithobius by the following apomorphy: distoventral tubercle supporting a cluster of long and curved setae situated on the last male tibia. In addition, it shows dorsal and ventral sulci on the last legs. New replacement names are introduced: Lithobius zachiui nom. n. for Lithobius (Chinobius) orientalis (Matic, 1973) and Lithobius carli nom. n. for Lithobius (Alokobius) orientalis Attems, 1953.

First record of Cryptops (Cryptops) hortensis (Donovan, 1810) in southwestern Siberia, Russia (Chilopoda: Scolopendromorpha: Cryptopidae)

Both the subgenus Cryptops ( Cryptops ) Leach, 1815 and C. ( C. ) hortensis (Donovan, 1810), as well as the family Cryptopidae to which they belong, are currently reported in the Asian part of Russia for the first time. All records of the species in southwestern Siberia are confined to hothouses. Distributional remarks are provided and all currently reported findings are mapped.

Distribution of millipedes along an altitudinal gradient in the south of Lake Teletskoye, Altai Mts, Russia (Diplopoda)

Abstract The distribution of millipedes along an altitudinal gradient in the south of Lake Teletskoye, Altai, Russia based on new samples from the Kyga Profile sites, as well as on partly published and freshly revised material (Mikhaljova et al. 2007, 2008, 2014, Nefedieva and Nefediev 2008, Nefediev and Nefedieva 2013, Nefedieva et al. 2014), is established. The millipede diversity is estimated to be at least 15 species and subspecies from 10 genera, 6 families and three orders. The bulk of species diversity is confined both to low- and mid-mountain chern taiga forests and high-mountain shrub tundras, whereas the highest numbers, reaching up to 130 ind./m², is shown in subalpine Pinus sibirica sparse growths. Based on clustering studied localities on species diversity similarity two groups of sites are defined: low-mountain sites and subalpine sparse growths of Pinus sibirica ones.

Millipede and centipede assemblages on the northern and southern slopes of the lowland Altais, southwestern Siberia, Russia (Diplopoda, Chilopoda)

Abstract The total species richness in the myriapod assemblages of the lowland Altais near Charyshskoe Village, Altai Province, southwestern Siberia, Russia is estimated to be at least 19 species from ten genera, eight families, five orders, and two classes. The following species are new to SW Siberia: Lithobius (Ezembius) ostiacorum Stuxberg, 1876, L. vagabundus Stuxberg, 1876, and L. (Monotarsobius) nordenskioeldii Stuxberg, 1876, while L. (E.) proximus Sseliwanoff, 1880 and L. (M.) insolens Dányi & Tuf, 2012 are recorded for the first time from the Altai Province of Russia. A species of Strigamia which is morphologically similar to Strigamia cf. transsilvanica (Verhoeff, 1928) has been found in the study area but its true specific identity is yet to be determined. The seasonal dynamics of myriapod assemblages in terms of the species diversity, density, sex-age structure, and vertical distribution along the soil profile have been studied with regard to the different slope exposures.