Pseudotremia hollidayi, Lewis, Julian J., 2005

Lewis, Julian J., 2005, Cumberland Plateau (Diplopoda: Chordeumatida: Cleidogonidae), Zootaxa 1080, pp. 17-31 : 23-24

Pseudotremia hollidayi , new species

Figs 9–11

Material examined. Tennessee: Sequatchie Co., Keyhole Cave, ca. 1 mile west Dunlap, dissected 31mm holotype male, 1 paratype male, J. Lewis, C. Holliday, 28 Sept 2004.

Diagnosis. The gonopod angiocoxites resemble those of P. v a l g a Shear, from which P. hollidayi is distinguished by the much narrower cleft between the median angiocoxites, and the longer lateral angiocoxites. The syncolpocoxites of P. hollidayi are quite dissimilar from P. v a l g a, differing from the typical mitten­shaped form, instead being elongate and slender. P. hollidayi has a massive syncolpoxite process, which is entirely absent in P. v a l g a.

Description.Male: Longest approximately 31mm (coiled), width increasing from 1.4mm (collum) to 2.9mm (7th segment); body very light brown with vestigial purple infusion in pregonopodal segments, metaterga with subovate reticulated spot, lightly sculptured with low, scattered tubercles, dorsal midline stripe light brown, scarcely demarcated from the vestigially pigmented adjacent structures; sterna and legs almost white. Eyes with 18–19 clear, unpigmented ocelli within subtriangular light purple ocellaria. Antennae about 5.4mm long, slender, 3rd segment about 1.7mm. Segmental paranota pronounced, largest anteriorly to about mid­body, becoming indistinct from lateral striae about segments 22–24. Lateral striae about 11–13.

Gonopods with syncolpocoxites elongate, tapering, “thumb” of usual mitten­shaped structure absent, separated by high V­shaped cleft; process class I, arising from the notch between syncolpocoxites and curving dorsad between angiocoxites, in anterior view broadened distally, deeply notched apically forming two subtriangular lobes. Median angiocoxite with strong subapical spine directed mesad. Lateral angiocoxite separated from median by a relatively shallow, U­shaped cleft, broad at base, tapering and curving mesad, meeting that of other side at midpoint of gonopod and extending to about lateral margin of syncolpocoxites. Leg 9 with distal 3 segments well formed and apparently functional, single claw present.

Female: Unknown.

Etymology. This species is named in honor of Cory Holliday of The Nature Conservancy, in gratitude for his assistance during the field work for this project, and his dedication to the conservation of Tennessee caves and their fauna.

Vernacular name: Holliday’s cave milliped.

Habitat and Range. The millipeds in Keyhole Cave were taken from pitfall traps placed in riparian mudbanks and baited with limburger cheese spread. The cave occurs in the western side of the Sequatchie Valley at the base of the Cumberland Escarpment. Pseudotremia hollidayi is known only from the type locality.

Figures

FIGURES 9 – 15. Pseudotremia hollidayi, n. sp., Keyhole Cave, Sequatchie Co., Tennessee: (9) anterior gonopods, anterior aspect, (10) anterior gonopods, lateral aspect, (11) leg 9. Pseudotremia manni, n. sp., Baileys Webb Cave, Overton Co., Tennessee: (12) anterior gonopods, anterior aspect, (13) anterior gonopods, lateral aspect, (14) leg 9, (15) cyphopod.