Pseudotremia hobbsi Hoffman 1950

Shear, William A., 2011, Cave millipeds of the United States. X. New species and records of the genus Pseudotremia Cope. 2. Species from Virginia, USA (Diplopoda, Chordeumatida, Cleidogonidae), Zootaxa 3109, pp. 1-38 : 8-10

Pseudotremia hobbsi Hoffman 1950

P. hobbsi Hoffman 1950 , p. 90. Shear, 1972, p. 191.

Type locality: Chestnut Ridge Cave, 2 mi N of Clifton Forge, Alleghany Co., VIRGINIA. Male holotype and many paratypes in USNMNH.

New Records: VIRGINIA: Alleghany Co.: Blowhole Cave, D. Hubbard, 15 November 1997, 3, Ƥ; Blue Spring Cave, 4, 18 April 1970, L. Ferguson, 3, ƤƤ Matthew’s Cave #1, 27 January 1996, D. Hubbard, m; Botetourt Co.: Feelin’ Tall Cave, 21 August 2004, D. Hubbard, 3, Ƥ; Cicada Killer Cave, 21 August 2004, D. Hubbard, 3, Ƥ; Thomas’ Cave, 3 August 1970, L. Ferguson, 3, ƤƤ. Craig Co.: Shire’s Cave, 11, 18 April 1970, L. Ferguson, 3, ƤƤ; Newcastle Cave, 2.5 mi SW of Newcastle, 1 March 1975, J. Estes, J. Wolf, 3. Lee Co.: Dorton Cave, 17 June 1999, D. Hubbard, 3, ƤƤ; Russell Co.: Dickinson Cave, 29 November 1992, K. Buhlman, 3; Ferguson Hollow Cave, 3 November 1998, D. Hubbard, 3; Sentinal Oak Cave, 21 April 1999, D. Hubbard, 3; Hilltop Cave, 6 March 1997, D. Hubbard, m; Dorton Spring Cave, 26 May 1997, D. Hubbard, mm. Scott Co.: Grear’s Sweet Potato Cave, 3 mi W of Dungannon, 22 November 1979, J. Holsinger, S. Van Luik, 3, June 1968, S. Tayor, 3; Carlinbrook Cave, 11 March 1997, D. Hubbard, 3; Lane Cave, 9 July 1997, D. Hubbard, 3, ƤƤ; Wolfe Cave, near Speer’s Ferry, 14 August 1969, 3; Queen’s Cave, 15 April 1997, D. Hubbard, 3; James Rufus Cave, 22 May 1997, D. Hubbard, 3, Ƥ; Little Duck Cave, 28 November 1997, D Hubbard, 3; Moccasin Valley Cave, 2.5 mi E of Gate City, 25 August 1969, J. Holsinger, 3, Abram’s Cave, 15 December 1999, D. Hubbard, 3, ƤƤ; Franklin Cave, Rye Cove, 23 March 2005, W. Orndorff, 3; Cox Ram Pump Cave, Rye Cove, 23 March 2005, C. S. Hobson, 3; Coley’s Cave #2, 18 August 1972, J. Holsinger, D. Culver, 3; Pack Rat Castle Cave, 26 March 1997, D. Hubbard, 3. Wise Co.: Wildcat Cave, 15 June 1968, J. Holsinger, 3. Wythe Co.: Hartsock Cave, 8 July 1997, D. Hubbard, 3, ƤƤ; Johnson Cave, 11 September 1997, D. Hubbard, 3.

Notes: Pseudotremia hobbsi is the most widespread and most commonly encountered species of Pseudotremia in Virginia, and has also been found in the West Virginia counties of Greenbrier, Monroe and Pocahontas ( Shear 2008). The records from the Virginia counties of Lee, Scott, Russell, Wise and Wythe are somewhat surprising and represent a significant range extension. I first thought that these specimens represented at least two new species closely related to P. hobbsi , but after making comparisons with northerly populations, decided that the slight range of variation could be accommodated under the already named species. Even so, careful morphometrics or molecular comparisons could confirm the earlier hypothesis. Though almost always found in caves, there are a few epigean records, and the species has the general appearance of a troglophile, being around 30 mm in length and with 18–20 ocelli in each eyepatch. In several instances, P. hobbsi has been found to be syntopic in caves with a highly adapted troglobiotic species. It is not fully understood how two Pseudotremia species occurring in such close proximity divide the environment, but one might suspect that the troglobionts, adapted to scarce resources, occur deeper in the caves and the troglophiles inhabit the twilight zones close to the entrances.