Gasterogramma plomleyi, Mesibov, 2003

Mesibov, Robert, 2003, The millipede genus Gasterogramma (Diplopoda: Polydesmida: Dalodesmidae) in Tasmania, Australia, with descriptions of seven new species, Memoirs of Museum Victoria 60 (2), pp. 207-219 : 212

publication ID	https://doi.org/ 10.24199/j.mmv.2003.60.21
persistent identifier	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/03F6470A-FFFE-D75B-FF60-377A0072F9A9
treatment provided by	Felipe
scientific name	Gasterogramma plomleyi
status	sp. nov.

Treatment

Gasterogramma plomleyi View in CoL sp. nov.

Figures 4 View Figure 4 , 5 View Figure 5 , 12 View Figure 12 (map)

Material examined. Holotype. Male. Australia, Tasmania. Rattler Hill, EQ 744353 [41º13´48´´ 147º53´15´´], 650 m, 29 Aug 1990, R. Mesibov, oldgrowth rainforest, QVM 23 View Materials :24960.

Paratypes. 2 males (1 dissected for SEM), details as for holotype, QVM 23 View Materials :8068; 2 females, details as for holotype, QVM 23 View Materials :8307; 3 males, Forest Lodge, EQ 786296 [41º16´51´´ 147º56´18´´], 410 m, 13 Jan 1993, R. Mesibov, wet eucalypt forest, QVM 23 View Materials :8066; 1 male, Pecks Hill, EQ 282251 [41º19´29´´ 147º20´13´´], 450 m, 14 Jan 1993, R. Mesibov, wet eucalypt forest, QVM 23 View Materials :8061; 3 males, Williams Hill, EQ 558548 [41º03´21´´ 147º39´50´´], 300 m, 10 Mar 1993, R. Mesibov, wet eucalypt forest, QVM 23 View Materials :16477; 3 males, Mathinna Plains , EQ616221 [41º21´00´´ 147º44´10´´], 800 m, 12 Jan 1993, R. Mesibov, AM KS85099 (formerly QVM 23 View Materials :8063) .

Other material. 26 males, 40 females and 52 juveniles from 33 unique localities in north-east Tasmania, including Carters Creek, Chinaman Corner, Crystal Hill , Cuckoo , Forest Lodge , Golconda , Hogarth Rivulet , Joseph Creek , Lisle , Mathinna Plains , Milly Brook , Mt Arthur , Mt Michael , Mt Victoria, Northallerton Valley , Patersonia Rivulet , Pecks Hill , Peddles Hill , Rattler Hill , Rayners Hill , Sideling Range , South Springfield , Tombstone Creek , Weldborough and Williams Hill .

Diagnosis. Epiproct unusually broad, with bumpy appearance (fig. 5B). Gonopod without tibiotarsus; femoral process unbranched; prefemoral process short, without tooth-like projections, bent anteriorly, then distally and mesally; solenomerite seemingly fused with prefemoral process for half length of latter.

Description. Males c. 20–23 mm long and c. 2.0– 2.4 mm wide at midbody, females somewhat larger. Body in both sexes fairly uniformly ivory-coloured. Epiproct (fig. 5B) enlarged relative to other Gasterogramma (fig. 5A), lateral and terminal setae on prominent bumps (fig. 5C). Gonopod telopodites (fig. 4) fairly straight and slender, lightly joined mesally for most of their length, a few long setae at their bases just inside aperture. Aperture more or less ovoid, long axis transverse, posterior margin very slightly raised and broadly, medially notched. Femoral process massive, arising on posteromesal face of telopodite at about two-thirds its length, directed laterally and slightly distally before turning abruptly anteriorly at about half length of process and tapering to a blunt point. Telopodite extending from femoral process base as a short, slender prefemoral process which bends anteriorly, then curves distally and mesally to terminate in a fine point. Tibiotarsus not evident. Solenomerite about as long as prefemoral process, arising near base of prefemoral process on its posterior face and apparently fused with it to point where prefemoral process bends anteriorly, from this point helical and slightly flattened. Prostatic groove running distally and posteriorly across mesal surface of telopodite, then curving laterally, distally and mesodistally around femoral process before entering solenomerite on its mesal side. Cyphopods not examined.

Distribution. In rainforest and wet eucalypt forest over c. 1700 km 2 in high-rainfall parts of north-east Tasmania (fig. 12), at altitudes 150– 850 m.

Etymology. In honour of Brian Plomley (1912–1994), Tasmanian scientist and scholar who encouraged biological research in north-east Tasmania.