Atrophotergum pastorale, Mesibov, Robert, 2004

Mesibov, Robert, 2004, A new genus of millipedes (Diplopoda: Polydesmida: Dalodesmidae) from Tasmania, Australia with a mosaic distribution, Zootaxa 480, pp. 1-23 : 12-14

Atrophotergum pastorale n. sp.

Figs. 4, 9 ; map Fig. 12

Holotype: Male, Sawpit Hill, Tasmania, EQ342021 (41°31’54”S, 147°24’35”E), 480m, 15.vi.1995, R. Mesibov, QVM 23:25492.

Paratypes: 2 males, details as for holotype, AM KS87136; 2 males, details as for holotype, QVM 23:25443, 1 dissected; 7 males, Diamond Tier, DP863320 (42°09’49”S, 146°50’02”E), 820m, 16.vii.2000, R. Mesibov & T. Moule, QVM 23:25451, 1 dissected.

Other material examined: 35 males. See Appendix for details.

Diagnosis: Distinguished from other Atrophotergum spp. by the unique form of the gonopod and by the exceptional length of the most posterior sternal projection on somite 17.

Description: As for genus, but the pit on the underside of the somite 2 paranotum is shallower and less conspicuous than in the type species. Male 8–10 mm long, 0.7–0.8 mm in maximum vertical diameter. In alcohol, well­coloured specimens are light tan with reddish antennae and near­white paranotal margins.

Gonopod telopodite ( Fig. 9 ) not curved. Solenomerite stout, curving laterally but not posteriorly, divided near its tip into an anterior branch containing the terminus of the prostatic groove and a shorter, blunter branch arising posteromesally, with both branches having slightly roughened surfaces. PDC extending as a rod­like, bluntly pointed, distally directed process reaching to the level of the blunt, subterminal process on the solenomerite; near the base of the distally directed PDC process, a shorter, rod­like, bluntly pointed process directed laterally. SF basal to the PDC curving laterally and posteriorly, the PBC turning sharply distally and laterally. TT bent posteriorly but only slightly laterally, terminating just distal to the base of the PDC process. MES a single, stout, bluntly pointed process bent very slightly posteriorly but not laterally, terminating at the level of the solenomerite tip. LES deeply folded in a complex manner, the anterior corner slightly distal to the posterior corner.

Anterior sternal process on somite 17 ( Fig. 4 C) a short, blunt projection; the anterior portion of the posterior process a larger blunt projection anteriorly, somewhat excavated posteriorly; the posterior portion a long, finger­like structure directed ventrally and posteriorly and reaching well past the coxa of the last leg.

Distribution and habitat: In leaf and woody litter in wet and dry eucalypt forest over ca. 12 0 0 0 km 2 in eastern Tasmania (but absent from the northeast), from ca. 150 m to at least 820 m ( Fig. 12 ).

Etymology: Latin pastoralis, rural, adjective. This species has been found in remnants of native vegetation on farms within its range.

Remarks: The last sternal projections are visible as tiny, finger­like structures when the rear end of a male is examined at low magnification (e.g. 40X).

Figures

FIGURE 9. Gonopod of A. pastorale n. sp. Posterior (left) and lateral (right) drawings of left gonopod telopodite of male from QVM 23: 25446. Setation not shown; dashed line marks course of prostatic groove.

FIGURE 12. Known localities in Tasmania of Atrophotergum bonhami n. sp. (open squares), A. montanum n. sp. (filled squares), A. pastorale n. sp. (crosses), A. silvaticum n. sp. (filled triangles), A. sodalis n. sp. (filled circles) and A. wurrawurraense n. sp. (open triangles). The top map shows overall distributions, while the bottom map shows localities and major streams within the rectangular area marked on the top map.