Atrophotergum sodalis, 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 : 14-15

publication ID	https://doi.org/ 10.5281/zenodo.157291
publication LSID	lsid:zoobank.org:pub:7F47FE58-8982-4913-A4C6-705EF7EBB4F4
DOI	https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6269256
persistent identifier	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/F92787AB-8757-FFB6-8626-FE03FD0BADB2
treatment provided by	Plazi
scientific name	Atrophotergum sodalis
status	sp. nov.

Treatment

Atrophotergum sodalis View in CoL n. sp.

Figs. 3 View FIGURE 3 , 4, 10 View FIGURE 10 ; map Fig. 12 View FIGURE 12

Holotype: Male, Old Chum Dam, Tasmania, EQ880541 (41°03’33”S, 148°02’50”E), 100m, 18.vii.1989, P. Cale, QVM 23:25387, pitfall 14.3.

Paratypes: 2 males, Old Chum Dam, EQ878553 (41°02’55”S, 148°02’41”E), 180m, vi.2000, R. Bashford, AM KS87138, pitfall 12/2; 3 males, same details, QVM 23:25423, 1 dissected; 2 males, Retreat, EQ127474 (41°07’28”S, 147°09’04”E), 180m, 6.vii.1991, R. Mesibov, QVM 23:25400.

Other material examined: 67 males. See Appendix for details.

Diagnosis: Distinguished from other Atrophotergum spp. by the unique form of the gonopod, by the less welldefined somite 2 pit and by the absence of a ventrolateral swelling on antennomere 7 (see Remarks).

Description: As for genus, but the somite 2 pit, rather than being a relatively deep hollow with a welldefined, rounded rim, is a shallow excavation almost touching the paranotal margin ( Fig. 3 View FIGURE 3 B). Males 7–8 mm long, 0.6–0.7 mm in maximum vertical diameter. In alcohol, most specimens are pale with reddish head and antennae, collum margins and posterior margins of metatergites.

Gonopod telopodite ( Fig. 10 View FIGURE 10 ) gently curved posteriorly. Solenomerite a straplike process curving laterally and posteriorly, divided at about half its length into an anterior branch containing the terminus of the prostatic groove and a shorter posterior branch; both branches have roughened surfaces. SF not extending posteriorly as far as in other Atrophotergum spp., its distal portion mesolaterally flattened and its basal portion dorsoventrally flattened. PDC projecting posteriorly and slightly laterally as a rodlike process with a short distal branch arising at a right angle at about onethird the length of the process; PBC curving distally. TT bent posteriorly and laterally, its tip reaching as far distally as the rightangled branch of the PDC process. MES more or less parallel to the long axis of the telopodite, mesolaterally flattened with a broad, smoothly notched tip. LES twisted so that its posterior corner is more mesal and basal than its anterior corner.

Anterior sternal process on somite 17 ( Fig. 4 E) a very low eminence, undetectable at low magnification; posterior process a low eminence anteriorly, posteriorly a very short, fingerlike structure directed ventrally and slightly posteriorly.

Distribution and habitat: Locally abundant in leaf and woody litter in dry and wet eucalypt forest over at least 5 0 0 0 km 2 in northeast Tasmania, including Flinders Island in Bass Strait, from near sea level to ca. 800 m ( Fig. 12 View FIGURE 12 ). There is also one record of this species from Pinus radiata litter in a 35 yearold forest plantation near Warrentina.

Etymology: Latin sodalis , comrade, noun in apposition; for the ‘Old Chum’ of the type locality.

Remarks: In the other five known Atrophotergum spp., there is a ventrolateral swelling on antennomere 7 ( Fig. 1 View FIGURE 1 B) which carries a number of short, stout sensilla. The sensilla are present in A. sodalis but not the swelling.