Orthorhachis monteithi, Mesibov, 2008

Mesibov, Robert, 2008, The millipede genera Gephyrodesmus Jeekel, 1983 and Orthorhachis Jeekel, 1985 in southeastern Australia, a new Lissodesmus Chamberlin, 1920 from Victoria, and observations on male leg setae, spinnerets and metatergite sculpture (Diplopoda: Polydesmida: Dalodesmidae), Zootaxa 1790, pp. 1-52 : 34-36

Orthorhachis monteithi n. sp.

Fig. 22; map Fig. 32B

Holotype: Male. Mt Superbus , Qld, summit, 1300 m, 8–9 February 1990, G. Monteith, G. Thompson and H. Janetzki. In QM, S83679 .

Paratypes: In QM : 1 male, 1 stadium 7 female, Mt Asplenium , Qld, 18–20 December 1992, G. Monteith, S83680 ; 1 male, 1 stadium 7 female, Mt Asplenium , Qld, 29–30 January 1993, G. Monteith, S83681 ; 1 male, Mt Superbus , Qld, summit, 1350 m, 24 October 1998, G. Monteith, QM berlesate 973, rainforest, stick brushings, S83682 .

Other material examined: None available.

Diagnosis: Gonopod telopodite with flat, wing-like process on the anteromedial surface, the process rounded posterodistally and toothed on the anterior edge.

Description: As for the genus. Male approximate measurements: length 19 mm, midbody prozonite diameter 1.6 mm, midbody width across paranota 2.9 mm. Body discoloured, near-uniform light brown. Antennal sockets separated by 2X a socket diameter. Antennae slender, relative lengths of antennomeres 3>(2,6)>(4,5). Collum D-shaped, as wide as head and narrower than tergite 2. Metatergite sculpture fairly distinct, Pattern A. Paranota with anterior margin convex, lateral margin very slightly convex. Legs slender, leg 6 tarsus 1.5X as long as femur. Brush setae with forked tips.

Gonopod aperture ovoid, slightly wider than long, about one-third the width of the ring 7 prozonite, rim raised posterolaterally. Telopodite ( Fig. 22) short, a slightly tapering cylinder above a broad base, distally curving slightly posteriorly; long setae on posterolateral surface to between one-third and one-half telopodite height; branching beginning at three-quarters telopodite height. Solenomere a tapering cylinder, somewhat flattened anteroposteriorly, directed posterodistally and curving slightly laterally. Medial process closely pressed to solenomere at base and angled to lie posteromedial to solenomere; process broad, somewhat flattened mediolaterally, with a wide, slightly convex distal edge reaching to one-half solenomere height; with a small, tooth-like projection on posterior edge and a short, truncate projection on distal edge opposite (and supporting?) solenomere. Telopodite also with a short, bluntly rounded projection on posterior surface of telopodite just below branching point, and a large wing-like process on anteromedial surface of telopodite from about half telopodite height to just below branching point, the latter strongly flattened mediolaterally, rounded on posterior and distal edges and irregularly toothed on anterior edge. Prostatic groove running laterodistally for short distance on anterior surface of telopodite, then distally to base of wing-like process, then laterodistally and slightly posteriorly along solenomere to tip.

Adult female not yet recognised.

Distribution: So far known only from two mountains ca. 10 km apart in Main Range National Park in far southeastern Queensland ( Fig. 32B). Overlaps in range with O. yabbra .

Etymology: For Geoff Monteith, the former Curator of Insects at the Queensland Museum, whose diligent collecting has greatly increased our knowledge of the Queensland arthropod fauna.