On the myriapods collected during the 'Skeat expedition' to the Malay peninsula, 1899-1900 / by F.G. Sinclair (formerly F.G. Heathcote).

  • F. G. Heathcote
Date:
1901
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: On the myriapods collected during the 'Skeat expedition' to the Malay peninsula, 1899-1900 / by F.G. Sinclair (formerly F.G. Heathcote). Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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    l5^ tergite. Differs much from the others, it is longer than the head, roughly semicircular in shape, not so broad as the others, and without keels ; it is covered with large wart-like tubercles and smaller granules. The larger tubercles are arranged in two groups, so as to leave a clear space free in the direction of the longitudinal furrow. 2nd tergite. Prolonged into two keels, which are, however, shorter than the succeeding ones. Like the first tergite it shows a dis- position to be tuberculated, as in addition to the two dorsal tubercles w'hich enclose the dorsal furrow there are a number of smaller tubercles near the large ones. This arrangement of the tubercles forms an interesting gradation between the third tergite, smooth but for the two large dorsal tubercles, and the first tergite with its two groups of tubercles arranged in the same position as the two dorsal ones in the other somites. The remainder of the somites resemble one another closely. The keels are long and bluntly pointed, the posterior angle being the most acute ; they cover the short legs completely. The shape of the body rises with a steep slope to the back, where there are two large tubercles with a wide depressed space between them, along which there runs a deep longitudinal furrow. Each tubercle has a small tubercle projecting from its base (pores ?). The bases of the legs are close together and are attached to a free sternal plate. Outside the legs are the spiracles, each on a small tubercle. The nb?dian dorsal furrow is continued right up to the tail, and the dorsal tubercles, though smaller in the last two somites, are still present. Sub-Order Polydesmoidea, Pocock. Eamily Polydesmid^. Genus Platyriiacus C. Koch. Platyehaccs humberti, var. nov. (Plate XXX. figs. 10-13,15.) Label: “ Gunong Inas, Perak. A scent of HNC. The palest coloured of the three largest specimens squirted out fluid from inter-segmental pores ; all emitted.” There are three female specimens of this species, all from the same locality, and differing considerably in size and colour. I have no doubt that they are a variety of the species described by Pocock as humberti., but as they do not correspond exactly, I will give a full description. Length 107 mm., greatest breadth 14 mm. Body narrowed anteriorly and posteriorly. Colour very deep chocolate, extreme edges of keels and of anal plate flavous. Legs and sterna same chocolate-colour but lighter. Head thickly granular ; shallow frontal furrow ; upper lip with row of bristles, each proceeding from a small tubercle. 1st tergite slightly wider than head, the lateral contour of the Peoc. Zool. 8OC.—1901, Vol. II. No. XXXIV. 34 [5]
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