Microsphaerotherium ivohibiense, a new genus...

Microsphaerotherium a new monotypic genus of Sphaerotheriida from Madagascar is described. The only known species of this genus, M. ivohibiense sp. nov., is endemic to the moutainous peak Ivohibe in southeastern Madagascar. Microsphaerotherium species have an average length of 10 mm or less and are dwarves in comparison to other members of the order Sphaerotheriida. Despite its small size, M. ivohibiense features unique characters for the hole order such as large pits and special setae on the tergite surface, tergites completely covered with a dirt layer, and unique closing ledges of the anal shield forming a semicircle. All of these adaptations suggest a special, and probably unique, way of living for giant pill-millipedes.