A new genus of millipedes (Diplopoda: Polydesmida: Dalodesmidae) from Tasmania, Australia with a mosaic distribution
Author
Mesibov, Robert
text
Zootaxa
2004
480
1
23
journal article
10.5281/zenodo.157291
e10081cf-7e2c-4b74-a107-3e5a6329f159
11755326
157291
7F47FE58-8982-4913-A4C6-705EF7EBB4F4
Atrophotergum wurrawurraense
n. sp.
Figs. 4
,
11
; map
Fig. 12
Holotype
: Male, Browns Creek, Tasmania, DQ698408 (
41°11’00”S
,
146°38’23”E
),
40m
,
26.vii.1997
, R. Mesibov,
QVM
23:25428.
Paratypes
:
1 male
, Gum Scrub Creek, DQ653268 (
41°18’33”S
,
146°35’07”E
),
140m
,
2.ix.1997
, R. Mesibov, AM KS87139 (formerly
QVM
23:25429);
1 male
, Long Hill, DQ589182 (
41°23’11”S
,
146°30’30”E
),
260m
,
19.ix.1997
, R. Mesibov,
QVM
23:25431.
Other material examined
:
7 males
. See Appendix for details.
Diagnosis
: Distinguished from other
Atrophotergum
spp. by its smaller size and by the unique form of the gonopod.
Description
: As for genus. Males
6–7 mm
long, 0.4–0.5 mm in maximum vertical diameter. In alcohol, most specimens are pale with reddish antennae.
Gonopod telopodite (
Fig. 11
) not curved. SF arising more basally on the telopodite than in other
Atrophotergum
spp. Solenomerite a straplike process curving laterally but not posteriorly, divided into an anterior branch containing the terminus of the prostatic groove and a much shorter branch arising posteromesally; both branches with roughened surfaces. PDC bluntly projecting distally, with basally a short, flattened process projecting laterally; PBC curving laterally and distally. TT bent posteriorly but not laterally, its tip nearly reaching distally as far as the distal projection of the PDC. MES a narrow, pointed, rodlike process parallel to the long axis of the telopodite, terminating distally at a level between the LES corners. LES very deeply folded with the anterior corner lateral and slightly distal to the posterior corner.
FIGURE 11.
Gonopod of
A. wurrawurraense
n. sp.
Posterior and slightly lateral (left) and lateral (center) drawings of left gonopod telopodite of male from QVM 23:25426. Lateral and slightly ventral SEM (right) of right gonopod telopodite of male, QVM 23:25427. Setation not shown in drawings; dashed line marks course of prostatic groove.
Anterior sternal process on somite 17 (
Fig. 4
F) a low eminence, excavated ventrally and mesally; the anterior portion of the posterior sternal process a low ridge, excavated ventrally and mesally; the posterior portion of the posterior process a short, fingerlike structure directed ventrally and posteriorly.
Distribution and habitat
: Known from eight localities over
ca
.
400 km
2 in
north central Tasmania; in leaf and woody litter in dry and wet eucalypt forest from
ca
.
50–300 m
(
Fig. 12
).
Etymology
: Referring to the Wurra Wurra Hills, where the range of this species seems to be centered.