Gabunillo
Schmalfuss & Ferrara, 1983
Gabunillo is a of small, eyeless, pigmentless woodlice in the Armadillidae. Described in 1983 from Gabon, it now includes four found in Gabon, Brazil, and São Tomé. Members of this genus are characterized by their ability to fully conglobate (roll into a ball), complete absence of , and lack of pseudotracheae. The genus is distinguished from the similar Synarmadillo by cephalon structure, shape, and the absence of teeth on thoracic segments.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Gabunillo: /ɡæˈbʊnɪloʊ/
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Identification
Distinguished from Synarmadillo by: structure of the cephalon (frontal margin interrupted in middle versus continuous); absence of teeth on second and third thoracic segments (present in Synarmadillo); shape of (triangular in Gabunillo) and uropods (rectangular protopodite in Gabunillo). The combination of full conglobation ability, complete reduction, pigmentless condition, and lack of pseudotracheae is diagnostic for the .
Distribution
Originally described from Gabon (type locality: Lastoursville). Additional described from Brazil and São Tomé. Distribution spans tropical regions of western Africa and South America.
Behavior
Able to fully conglobate (roll into a complete ball).
Similar Taxa
- SynarmadilloSimilar in general and conglobation ability; differs in cephalon structure, presence of teeth on second and third thoracic segments, and shape of and uropods.
More Details
Pseudotracheae absence
Members of this lack pseudotracheae (respiratory structures on pleopod exopodites), likely due to secondary reduction rather than primary absence. This distinguishes them from many other armadillid genera.