Morphological and molecular study of Symphyla from Colombia

Redescription of the enigmatic myriapod Hanseniellachilensis (Hansen, 1903) (Symphyla, Scutigerellidae) based on scanning electron microscope images of Chilean specimens

Hanseniellachilensis is the only myriapod of the class Symphyla known from Chile. This garden centipede, or pseudocentipede, was described more than 120 years ago based on morphologically incomplete specimens collected in central Chile, a well-known biodiversity hotspot. In this study, we redescribe this species based on morphologically complete specimens collected near the type locality using scanning electron microscope images. Our study provides the description of diagnostic characters hitherto unknown in this species such as macrochaetae of the tergites and spinnerets of the cerci. We also include a new record from central Chile and discuss the presumed presence of this species in Argentina and Madagascar.

Description of the first species of Scutigerella (Symphyla, Scutigerellidae) from China, with mitogenomic and genetic divergence analysis

Scutigerellasinensis Jin & Bu, sp. nov. from China is described and illustrated. It is characterized by a deeply emarginated posterior margin of tergite 2, less differentiated marginal setae on all tergites, absence of seta a3 around the antennal base, and 6-8 setae on the first tergite. The complete mitochondrial genome of the new species is also analyzed and compared with the mitogenome of Scutigerellacauseyae. In the reconstructed Neighbor-Joining tree based on COI gene sequences, S.sinensissp. nov. clusters with S.causeyae, however, with big distances. The genetic divergence among S.sinensissp. nov. and congeners, species of Hanseniella and Scutigerella, and both families of Symphyla was analyzed using COI gene sequences.