A survey of the genusPatinatiusAttems 1928, with a description of a new species from Transkei (Myriapoda Diplopoda Spirostreptida Odontopygidae)

An overview is given of the odontopygid milliped genus Patinatius Attems 1928, restricted to Africa. Fourteen species are now known, including P. transkeicus a new species discovered at Transkei (South-Africa). The taxonomy of the genus is discussed and a key to the males provided. Besides this, an overview is added of telocoxite morphology. A preliminary effort is made to look for relationships between Patinatius species by comparing their distribution pattern with gonopod morphology, in particular the number of thorns or apophyses on gonopod telocoxites. Species without or with one, poorly developed apophysis are concentrated in the northern and southern parts of the distribution range of Patinatius, whereas species with one or two well developed apophyses all occur close to each other in the central area (except bovinus Kraus 1966). Radiation seems to have taken place intensively in the Natal area, with many species occurring within a small area.