Megaphyllum montivagum Verhoeff 1901

Megaphyllum montivagum (Verhoeff, 1901)

Figs 11a–g

Brachyiulus (Chromatoiulus) montivagus Verhoeff, 1901: Verhoeff 1901c: 267–268, Fig. 9. Brachyiulus latesquamosus Attems, 1903: 135 –136, Figs 62–65.

Chromatoiulus montivagus: Attems 1927: 223; 1932: 9–10.

Chromatoiulus latesquamosus: Attems 1927: 232 –233.

Chromatoiulus (Chromatoiulus) montivagus: Attems 1940: 306.

Chromatoiulus (Phauloiulus) latesquamosus: Attems 1940: 307.

Chromatoiulus macedonicus Strasser, 1976: 616 –617, Figs 57–59. Chromatoiulus macedonicus: Ceuca 1992: 425.

Megaphyllum latesquamosum: Enghoff & Kime 2009.

Megaphyllum macedonicum: Makarov et al. 2004: 261.

Megaphyllum montivagum: Enghoff & Kime 2009; Lazányi et al. 2012: 12, 18, 20, 41, Figs 15–17.

Material examined. Greece: 1♂, Hellas, Peloponnese, Tripolis, Phrygana, 11.12.1988, leg. M. Karamaouna (ZMUC).

Distribution. Greece (Verhoeff 1901c; Attems 1903; Strasser 1974, 1976); Republic of Macedonia (Lazányi et al. 2012); Serbia (Makarov et al. 2004).

Diagnosis. Differs from the most similar M. dentatum and M. glossulifer by the thicker posterior solenomere process (psp) (Figs 11b, 11d) and by the apically flattened—best seen in mesal view—and bulging promere (P) (Figs 11a–c).

Opisthomere’s (11a–b, 11d) posterior process (pp) more or less as long as the solenomere; opisthomere usually with an anterior ridge (ap). Posterior solenomere process (psp) highly variable, always wavy, but occasionally globular or elongated and bent. Anterior solenomere process (asp) quite short. Individuals mostly with a not too large posterior apical hump (ph).

Uniformly dark brown animals, ozopore line and prozona are darker. Body length and height: males: 19.6– 27.2mm, 1.5–1.9mm; females: 24.1–36.7mm, 2.3–3mm.

Remarks. M. macedonicum (Strasser, 1976) and M. latesquamosum (Attems, 1903) have recently been synonymised with M. montivagum (Lazányi et al. 2012). This is a widespread species in the Balkan Peninsula, with significantly larger individuals in the Peloponnese (male 37.9mm long, 2.8mm high; female 48.3mm long and 4.4mm high). The variability of the solenomere shows no distinct distribution pattern (Lazányi et al. 2012). Setiform filaments occur sometimes on the opisthomere’s flagellum-conducting lamella (e.g. individuals from Ostrovo and Zakas, see Lazányi et al. (2012)).

3. The Megaphyllum transsylvanicum — species group Fig. 1d

Posterior opisthomere process (pp) always well-developed; anterior process or ridge not developed. Posterior apical hump (ph) significantly large, anterior hump (ah) less characteristic and detectable only in M. transsylvanicum. Posterior solenomere process (psp) neither cockscomb-like, nor finger-formed or wavy-like in the other groups; always smaller than the elongated and sometimes even rod-like anterior solenomere process (asp).