Occurrence, Distribution and Morphological Description of 11 Species of Endemic Giant Pill-Millipedes of the Genus Arthrosphaera (Diplopoda: Sphaerotheriida: Arthrosphaeridae) in Southern India
The endemic giant pill-millipedes belonging to the genus Arthrosphaera has a long history of occurrence and distribution in the Indian Subcontinent. According to the earlier and recent records, up to 40 species of Arthrosphaera are confined to southern India and Sri Lanka. Being detritus feeders, they are sensitive to narrow range of abiotic factors and their population is dwindling due to severe human interference especially landscape modification or modern forestry/agricultural practices. There is an urgent need to update the status, occurrence and distribution in distinct ecological conditions of pill-millipedes in southern India as they are important component in organic matter decomposition as well as nutrient turn over in the forests or plantations. Based on recent surveys, the present study attempts to update occurrence, distribution and morphological description (light and scanning electron microscopy) with a diagnostic key for identification of 11 species of pill-millipedes occurring in the Western Ghats of India with commentary on their distribution pattern in different ecological conditions and impact of edaphic factors.
Observations on 2 new species of cephaline gregarines (Protozoa: Sporozoa) of the genus StenodutusRamachandkan, 1976 from sphaerotherid millipedes in Kerala, India
Summary The morphology and life-history of 2 new species of cephaline gregarines, Stenodudus nitida n. sp. from the intestine of Arthrosphaera nitida Pocock and S. disticta n. sp. from A. disticta Pocock , A. dalyi Pocock and Arthrosphaera sp. are described and their systematic positions discussed. S. nitida n. sp.: The sporonts reach 892 by 532.8μm. Gametocysts spherical, 434.9μm in diameter and have an ectocyst and endocyst. Spores ovoid, 3.8 by 1.4μm or 4.2 by 1.4μm, with hyaline episphore having round polar projections. S. disticta n. sp.: The sporonts reach 835.2 by 316.8μm. Gametocysts ovoid, 432 by 402.8μm in dimensions and have a hyaline cyst wall. Spores ellipsoid, 12.6 by 5.8μm, with hyaline epispore having round polar projections.
Studies on a New Cephaline Gregarine, Stenoductus trigoniuli n. sp. With a Note on its Cytopathology
Summary A cephaline gregarine from the Indian millipedes, Trigoniulus goesi ( Porath ) and Xenobolus acuticonus Attems is described and reported here as Stenoductus trigoniuli n. sp. (Cephalina: Monoductidae). The gregarine forms a naked, cord-like sporoduct; its spores are ovoid, with hyaline epispore, having short, round polar thickenings and an equatorial ridge. Fat globules have been cytochemically demonstrated in its intracellular trophozoites in midgut epithelial cells of the millipedes. The globules are proposed as excretory endproducts of an anaerobic metabolism. Fat globules then accumulate in the host-cell cytoplasm, causing a fatty degeneration. This is adaptive, since it releases the intracellular gregarine into the nutrition-rich gut lumen. Sporonts and gametocysts of the gregarine develop in the gut.