A new millipede-parasitizing horsehair worm, Gordius chiashanus sp. nov., at medium altitudes in Taiwan (Nematomorpha, Gordiida)

• DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.941.49100
• Publication Date: 2020-06-16T07:31:32Z
• Authors: Ming-Chung Chiu; Chin-Gi Huang; Wen-Jer Wu; Zhao-Hui Lin; Hsuan-Wien Chen; Shiuh-Feng Shiao
• Keywords: Arboreal locomotion; Millipede

Gordius chiashanus sp. nov. , a newly described horsehair worm that parasitizes the Spirobolus millipede, is one of three species in Taiwan. It morphologically similar to G. helveticus Schmidt-Rhaesa, 2010 because progressively broadening distribution bristles concentrated on male tail lobes, but it distinguishable from stout mid-body. In addition, vertical white stripe anterior ventral side and areoles inside wall cloacal opening are rarely mentioned other species. Free-living adults emerged mated wet soil under forest canopy winter (late November early February) at medium altitudes (1100–1700 m). Mucus-like structure covering body surface, which creates rainbow-like reflection, might endow with high tolerance dehydration. Although seems be more adaptive terrestrial environment than species, cysts putatively identified as belonging this hairworm found aquatic paratenic host, Ephemera orientalis McLachlan, 1875, suggest life cycle could involve water land. The free-living definitive hosts reproduce or enter an habitat by moving being washed away heavy rain instead manipulating behavior their hosts.