I. Kos, POSTEMBRYONIC DEVELOPMENT OF LITHOBIUS-VALIDUS MEINERT (CHILOPODA, LITHOBIIDAE), Acta zoologica Academiae Scientiarum Hungaricae, 43(4), 1997, pp. 313-322
Five larval (L) and 9 post-larval (PL) stadia have been identified in
the post-embryonic development of Lithobius validus MEINERT, 1872 (Lit
hobiidae); specimens caught in nature in Slovenia, as well as those la
boratory-reared, were studied. The changes in morphological character
currently in use for species identification were followed during devel
opment. The characters distinguishing different stadia of the same spe
cies are described, as well as those by which the species are mutually
distinguished. The larval stadia of L. validus have a different numbe
r of legs and antennal articles, but there is only a small difference
in body size, and no difference in the number of ocelli. The postlarva
l stadia are recognized by the number of coral pores, ocelli, setae on
the genital sternites and gonopods, forcipular teeth, body size and s
pinulation on legs. Comparison of the same stadia reveals that the spe
cimens of L. validus are larger than those of L. forficatus (LINNE). B
oth species are also distinguished by the number of antennal articles
up to L3, teeth on the forcipular coxosternite up to L1, and the prese
nce of posterior projections on tergites 6, 7 up to L3.