The Diplopod and Chilopod Faunas of the Environs of Lake

By I. LOKSA,

The environs of Lake Velence, including the Mts. Velence, was, from the point of view of the faunistical aspects of Diplopods and Chiiopods, a territory almost unknown up to now. It was not much better concerning the other Arthropodan groups, even if less so than in the case of the two former groups. The regular examination of the territory happened during the planned researches of the Hungarian Natural History Museum, Department of Zoology, in 1951. In the course of collectings, 29 species — 12 Diplopods and 17 Chiiopods — were found in this area, which gives a better picture of the faunistical character of this territory. The material studied originates from the following localities : 1. , 20 April 1951, leg. E. Somfai. — 2. Nadap, 24 October 1951, from litter sieving, leg. Z. Kaszab. — 3. Nadap, Meleghegy, 20 April 1951, leg. E. S o m f a i. — 4. Nadap, Mcleghegy, 9 April 1951, leg. Z. Kaszab. — 5. Nadap, Meleghegy, 15 October 1951, leg. Z. Kasza b.— 6. Nadap, Meleghegy, 12, 15 June 1951. leg. E. Somfai. — 7. Nadap, Templomhegy, 14 June 1951, leg. E. Somfai. — 8. Nadap, Nyires, sifted from under barks of birches, 14 November 1951, leg. Z. K a s z a b. — 9. Nadap, extracted from birch litter, 13 November 1951, leg. Z. Kaszab. — 10. Nadap, János-spring, 23 October 1951, leg. Z. Kaszab. — 11 Nadap, Antóniahegy, extracted from under oak barks, 14 November 1951, leg. Z. Kaszab. — 12. Sukoró, Meleghegy, 4, 5 and 9 May 1951, leg. Z. Kaszab <& V. Székess y. — 13. Sukoró, Meleghegy, 14 October 1951, leg. Z. Kaszab.— 14. Sukoró, 21, 25 June 1951, leg. Z. Kaszab. —15. Sukoró, Meleghegy, from extractions of forest litter at Lake Gránit, 14. October 1951, leg. Z. Kaszab. — 16. Sukoró, shore, 5 July 1951, leg. Z. Kaszab. — 17. Sukoró, shore, extracted from under willows, 12 November 1951, leg. Z. Kaszab. — 18. Sukoró, shore, extracted from reed detritus, 12 November 1951, leg. Z. Kaszab. —• 19. Velence, 23 June, 1951, leg. J. Balogh. —-20. Velence, from under stones, 11 October 1951, leg. J. B a 1 o g h. — 21. Velence, park, 18 May 1951, leg. J. Balogh. & E. Somfai. — 22. Agárd, 8 May 1951, leg. E. á o m f a i. — 23. Pákozd Bella valley, 9 October 1951. leg. Z. Kaszab. In the list of the species, I designate the sevaral localities by the above serial numbers only. The numbers in brackets designate the specimens collected.*

Diplopoda

1. Heteroporatia sp. juv. 2 (1 j.). I .

2. Craspedosoma transsylvanicum f. pákozdense f. nov. 2 (15 ad.), — 23 (2 ad.). With the exception of smaller differences, the gonopods of 8 males show highly conforming characteristics, differring, at the same time, from the nominate form. The differences against the nominate form are the following : a) The inner margin of the cheirit of the former gonopod is strong, with big teeth, almost coarsely dentated (Fig. 1 a), as against the weak, uneven den­ tation of the nominate form.

* ad.—adult specimens; j. — juvenile specimens.

25 Term. Tud. Múzeum Évkönyve b) The grasping appendage of the cheirit is double, its anterior part tends downwards, is uni-tridentate, its posterior part recurvent, tri-quator- dentate, as against the almost uniform, recurvent grasping appendage of the nominate form. c) The oblique lamel of the cheirit is narrow. d) The pseudoflagellum has 3 tips, thereby to be relegated to the aus- triacus Verh. group. e) The podosternit (Fig. 1 b) is of the mesodactyl type. The posterior median appendage with large granulae.

Fig. 1. Craspedosoma transsylvanicum f. pákozdense f. nov. — A : Anterior gonopods. Cheirit; B : posterior gonopods. Podosternit.

The examination of larger materials originating from the surrounding territories will have to decide whether we are dealing with a local form or a subspecies. The locality of the new form is approximately in the centre of the range of the races ; its western border is namely around Salzkammergut, its eastern one in the Radnai Alps.

3. Brachydesmus Dadai gen. Verh. 9 (5 ad.) — 18 (32 ad., 18 j.). The endemic race of the faunal territory of the Middle Danube, its nominate form being known from some few localities of the Transdanubium. Though I have found it in Buda, under stones, at the edge of ploughed lands, its real biotops seem to be the wet fluvial or lake shores where it abounds in larger masses in plant detritus. This is supported by a collecting of E. C s i k i on the Margitsziget of Budapest, 1905, as also by the present Sukoró data. 4. Brachydesmus si|perus gen. Latz. 18 (120 ad., 93 j.). Widely ranging, almost Euro­ pean, races. Its occurrence jn such big masses in our country was unknown up to now. It favours, according also to literature data, humid, open, and grassy or bushy places, as witnessed by its mass occurrence here too. Its real habitat is, in all probability, in the fluvial and lake reeds along the shores. The gonopods, and especially their femoral lamels, of the males (Fig. 2) show some differences against the nominate from. 5. Polydesmus denticulatus L. 18 (7 j.) — 19 (1 j.). 6. Polydesmus complanatus L. 15 (4 j.) — 23 (1 j.). 7. Isobates sp. juv. (cfr. varicornis C. L. Koch) 23 (2 j.). 8. Proteroiulus fuscus am Stein. 8 (1 ad.) — 15 (1 j.) — 22 (1 j.). A rare species in the Middle Danubian faunal territory. D a d a y reports it in his monography from the localities Budapest, Lipovljane, Péczel and Tolcsva. Concerning its range, it is a N—NW species, its northern border being Lat 59°7'. Male specimens are very rare. According to literature, 0,7— 3% of the collected specimens are males. The single specimen from Nadap must therefore be regarded a lucky stroke, since it is a male. The end of the posterior gonopod (Fig. 3) shows some differences as compared with specimens from Germany but, unfortunately, this single specimen does not entitle us to draw far-reaching conclusions when the variation scale of the species is, in this regard, unclarified as yet.

2 3 Fig. 2. Brachydesmus superus Latz. — Copulatory legs. — Fig. 3. Proteroiulus fuscus am Stein Posterior gonopods. End portion.

Fig. 4. Cylindroiulus Horváthi Verh. — A : Gonodop. Inside view ; B, C, D : Posterior gonopods. End portion more strongly magnified ; E : End portion of the body ; F : Tail, more strongly magnified ; G: One of the first pair of legs (Male) ; H: Male antenna. 9. Cylindroiulus boleti C. L. Koch 2 (20 ad. 41 j.) — 3 (4 ad.) — 6 (2 j.) — 8 (5 ad.) — 9 (2 j.) — 12 (8 ad. 7 j.) — 15 (10 ad. 5 j.) — 21 (5 ad.) — 23 (2 j.). A southern, xerophilous species, reaching the northern border of its range in Czechoslovakia. Its habitats in our country are the dry, warm forests. In connection with its feeding habits, it is to be mentioned that, besides fallen leaves, it feeds on fallen twigs too. It bores into the fallen twigs and eats up their inner parts until only the bark reamins. This species assists — where it abounds — in the quick decomposition of fallen branches. It is frequently found also in tree stumps.

Fig. 5. Brachyiulus pusillus Kaszabi subsp. n. — A : Gonodop. Inside view ; B, C : Posterior gonopods. End portion rather more magnified ; D : End of anterior gonopod appendage, more strongly magnified.

Fig. 6. Brachyiulus pusillus Kaszabi subsp. n. — A : Male antenna ; B : One of the first pair of legs (male). 10. Cylindroiulus Horváthi Verh. 6 (3 ad. 7 j.) — 7 (1 j.) — 9 (1 ad.) — 14 (1 j.). Ver- h o e f f and also A 11 e m s — this latter author by the name C. Deubeli — reports, that is, describes this species from Brassó. Its occurrence in the Mts. Velence is therefore very striking. It seems to be a rare, isolated species. On the basis of its occurrence in the area discussed, it seems to be a xerothermous species. My specimens differ in some few but slight characteristics against the descriptions of Verhoeff and A 11 e m s, but the descriptions do not extend to every detail. Owing to this fact, I give some detailed figures of the specimens from the Mts. Velence (Fig. 4 A-H), which will call attention also to possibilities of variation if only between narrow limits. 11. Brachyiulus pusillus Kaszabi subsp. n. 17 (4 j.) — 18 (47 ad. 14 j.). On the basis of the description and figures of L a t z e 1, the male gonopods differ in some important features. I have examined 18 males and the differences proved to be constant in all of them. This justified the description of the new subspecies (race). There are the following differences between the nominate form and the new subspecies : pusillus gen. m. pusillus Kaszabi subsp. n. The solänomerit is slightly bent, The solänomerit (Fig. 5 A) is the anterior appendage broadens tow­ weakly bent, the anterior appendage ard its tip then elongates into a gradually narrows toward its tip suddenly acuminate tooth. The end which is pointed or slightly biacuminate of the lateral lamel is rounded. The (Fig. 5 A—E), but never elongated posterior appendage is small. like a tooth. The end of the lateral lamel is mostly cut. The posterior appendage is big, somewhat incurving, its tip sharp or blunt. The range of the races is in the eastern part of Central Europe. In my opinion, Br. Jawlowskii Lohm. is a near relative and it is not impossible that it belongs to this race. Br. pusillus is reported by D a d a y in the Aliddle Danubi- an faunal territory from Budapest (Orczy-kert), Peer and Hadház. The speci­ mens originating from the first two localities are still to be found in the Zoologi­ cal Department of the Hungarian Natural History Museum. I have examined them, of course, but unfortunately they are rather broken and also females, so it was not advisable to draw further conclusions. For the sake of future studies and to assist the possibility of comparison with material originating from other localities, I give the figures of the antennae (Fig. 6 A) and the anterior legs (Fig. 6 B) of the male.

12. Chromatoiulus unilineatus C. L. Koch. 2 (4 ad.) — 12 (3 ad. 3 j.) — 13 (15 ad. 14. j.) — 14 (7 ad. 3 j.) — 16 (1 j.) — 17 (2. j.) — 21 (1 ad. 2. j.). A xerothermous species of the plains. It may be found in large numbers in locust groves and the plant associations of the lowlands in the Great Plains, and its mass migrations and agricultural injuries are also known from the Great Plains.

Chilopoda

1. Brachyschendyla montana Att. 2 (1 ad.). A S-SW species. It is one of the rarer species in . 2. Schendyla nemorensis C. L. Koch 2 (12 ad. 18 j.) — 5 (9 ad. 3 j.) — 8 (1 j.) — 10 (7 ad. 8 j.) — 17 (4 ad. 10 j.) — 23 (20 ad. 15 j.). A Holarctical species. Common in most of our forests. 3. Geophilus proximus C. L. Koch 2 (2 ad. 1 j.) — 5 (1 j.) — 17 (1 ad. 1 j.). A species inhabiting most of Europe, Siberia and Northern Africa. 4. Geophilus longicornis gen. Leach. 15 (1 ad. 1 j.) — 17 (2 ad. 4 j.). Its range : Europe, Syria, Tunis. Frequent also in our country. 5. Clinopodes flavidus C. L. Koch 2 (2 ad.) — 5 (1 ad. 10 j.). A species with a very extensive range, and an eastern character. Rather frequent in Hungary. 6. Dignathodon microcephalum H. Luc. 4 (5 ad.) A Mediterranean species, ranging to Vienna in the north. A decidedly xerothermous form, favouring mostly the undersides of stones on warm slopes with a scarce flora and southern exposure. It is rather rare in Hungary, that is, we know of but a few collecting localities. This fact, however, may be explained by the use that few collectors look for Chiiopods in the above places. 7. Scolioplanes crassipes C. L. Koch 23 (2 j.) A widely ranging but moisture-wanting species, frequent in not expressedly dry woods. 8. Henia illyrica Mein. 1 (1 ad.) — 2 (2 ad. 3 j.) — 5 (2 ad. 4 j.) — 6 (2 j.) — 7(1 j.) — 15 (1 ad. 2 j.) — 17 (1 j.) — 21 (2 ad.) — 23 (1 ad. 3 j.). A S—SE species, to be found both in open and dense forests. Frequent. 9. Pachymerium ferrugineum C. L. Koch 2 (2 ad. 1 j.) — 17 (2 j.) — 21 (2 j.) — 23 (3 ad. 2 j.). Almost Holarctical, rather eurytropous. Frequent; 10. Cryptops anomalans Newp. 1 (1 ad.) — 4 (1 j.) — 20 (lad.) —21 (lad. 2 j.).A southern species, occurring sporadically. 11. Cryptops hortensis Leach. 1 (2 ad.) — 2 (1 ad.). Frequent, 12. Lithobius forficatus L. 2 (1 ad. 2 j.) — 14 (1 j.) — 17 (1 j.) — 18 (1 ad.) — 20 (2 ad. 4 j.) — 21 (1 ad. 2 j.) — 23 (2 j.). A Holarctical, frequent, but sporadically occurring species. 13. L. mutabilis gen. L. Koch 1 (3 ad.) — 2 (4 ad. 35 j.) — 5 (2 ad. 3 j.) — 6 (2 j.) — 7 (4 j.) —17 (10 ad. 25 j.),—18 (6 ad. 9. j.). A frequent race, occurring in plain and hilly areas in Hungary. 14. L. muticus C. Koch 1 (3 ad. 3 j.) — 2 (5 ad. 11 j.) —4 (9 ad. 11 j.) — 5 (7 ad. 8 j.) — 6 (10 ad. 11 j.) — 10 (5 ad. 6 j.) — 13 (1 ad. 2 j.) — 14 (2 j.). A widely ranging, rather eury- topous species. The most frequent Lithobius in Hungary. 15. L. erythrocephalus gen. C. Koch 1 (1 ad.) — 5 (3 ad. 2 j.) — 8 (3 ad.) — 10 (1 ad.) — 11 (1 ad. 2 j.) — 23 (5 ad. 8 j.). A race of plain or low mountainous areas, occurring sporadically but rather frequently. 16. Monotarsobius aeruginosus gen. C. Koch 1 (2 ad. 1 j.) — 5 (6 ad. 4 j.) — 7 (2 ad.) — 10 (4 ad. 6 j.) — 15 (4 ad. 3 j.) — 21 (1 j.). A race of the plains and low mountains, frequent. 17. M. crassipes L. Koch 1 (1 ad.) — 2 (3 ad. 1 j.) — 5 (3 ad. 2 j.) — 10 (3 j.) — 17 (2 ad. 1 j.) — 18 (1 j.). An European, rather frequent species.

Summary

As a result of the collectings around the vicinity of the Lake Velence, — mainly the Mts. Velence — 12 Diplopcdan and 17 Chilopodan species have been found. Of these, 1 proved to be a new form, another a new subspecies. With regard to the above two groups of animals, the environs of Lake Velence became one of the best examined areas in our country. This is also important from a zoogeographical point of view, as we dispose again of a bit of mosaic of our home fauna.

References: 1. A 11 e m s, G.: Beiträge zur Myriöpodenkunde (Zool. Jahrb. Syst. 18, 1903, p. 63—154). — 2. L o k s a, L: Über Lithobiiden des Faunengebietes des Karpaten­ beckens (Acta Zool. /, fasc. 3-4, 1955. p. 331-349). - 3. V e r h o e f f, K. WV. Beiträge zur Kenntniss paläarktischer Myriopoden I. (Verh. z.-b. Ges. Wien, 45, 1895, p. 284—298). — 4. Verhoeff, K. W.: Diplopodenfauna Siebenbürgens (Verh. z.-b. Ges. Wien, 47, 1897, p. 454—472). — 5. Verhoeff, K. W.: Anmerkungen zu den Tafelwerken von C. L. Koch, die Myriapoden und A. Berlese (F. Silvesträ) Acari, Miriapodi e Scorpioni italiani. Zur Klä­ rung einiger Diplopoden-Gruppen und über einen neuen Iuliden. Notizen zu einigen neueren Arbeiten von C. Attems und über zwei neue Polybothrus (Zool. Anz., 29, 1906, p. 497—514).

* Besides the generally known handbooks and keys.