Scaptodesmus Cook 1896

Scaptodesmus Cook, 1896: 16 (original description). urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act: CE8D01B6-DC13-49B8-AF91-8A4BBFBB58AB Type-species: Scaptodesmus porati Cook, 1896, Cameroons, by original designation. Historical diagnosis. According to Cook (1896), the genus Scaptodesmus is easily recognized by the presence of ozopores located on distinct excavations at the lateral margins of the carinae, the dorsum very slightly convex, and the telson with the marginal processes very strongly developed. Updated diagnosis. A genus of Chelodesmidae (subfamily: Prepodesminae), distinguished by the absence of a conspicuous paramedian or dorsomedian horn on the metaterga; subrectangular, elevated, horizontal paranota with dentate lateral, anterior, and posterior margins, combined with a slightly convex dorsum (Figs 2A, 3, 7, 10); the normal pore formula (5, 7, 9, 10, 12, 13, 15–19), with ozopores being located on distinct excavations along the lateral margins of the paranota (Figs 2A, 4A, 11A–B, 8B–D), gonopod telopodites suberect, in situ directed forward (Fig. 8F), held parallel to each other, not crossing mesally; femoral process subcylindrical, usually densely setose, elongated, partly erect, taking up ca. 2/3 total telopodite length, without femorite, with a complex dorsal postfemoral process (pfp) demarcated from acropodite by a distinct cingulum; acropodite twisted and divided into two lobes (Figs 2C, D, 5, 9, 12C–F). External branch forming a solenophore (sph), larger than internal branch, or solenomere (slo), supporting a seminal groove all along (Fig. 2C–D). Key to species of Scaptodesmus The key below is based on male characters and therefore, Scaptodesmus porati Cook, 1896 is excluded as the gonopods have never been illustrated. 1. Gonopod postfemoral process undivided, complex in structure, folded into a lateral groove, or rake-shaped and bearing 3–4- minute denticles distally................................................................................ 2 - Gonopod postfemoral process bifurcate and mostly simple in structure........................................... 3 2. Solenophore broad, opposite a relatively thin and falcate solenomere branch, lacking a solenomere proper at apex (Fig. 8).................................................................................... S. manengouba sp. nov. - Solenomere branch about half as wide as solenophore, with a distinct, small solenomere proper at apex (Figs 4E, 4G).............................................................................................. S. kala sp. nov. 3. Curvature of postfemoral process showing a small inner blade at mid-length (Figs 11D, 11F), tips of the two bifurcate branches of postfemoral process subequal in size............................................... S. vandenspiegeli sp. nov - Postfemoral process without small inner blade at mid-length of curvature, tips of the two bifurcate branches unequal in size (Fig. 2C)................................................................................. S. granulosus.