Atalopharetra bashfordi, Mesibov, Robert, 2005

Mesibov, Robert, 2005, (Diplopoda: Polydesmida: Dalodesmidae) from Tasmania, Australia, Zootaxa 1034, pp. 21-42 : 29-31

publication ID	https://doi.org/ 10.5281/zenodo.169707
DOI	https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6267601
persistent identifier	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/CE026E33-FFB0-FF45-EF15-772D8F03EDDC
treatment provided by	Plazi
scientific name	Atalopharetra bashfordi
status	sp. nov.

Treatment

Atalopharetra bashfordi View in CoL n. sp.

Figs. 1 View FIGURE 1 A(?), 2A, 3B, 3F, 4, 5, 8, 9; map Fig. 16 View FIGURE 16

Holotype: Male, Bracken Ridge, Tasmania, DN897308 (43°04’26”S 146°52’29”E), 360 m, pitfall emptied 24.x.1995, R. Bashford, sample 1–3a, QVM 23:40502.

Paratypes: 1 male, same details as holotype but pitfall emptied 17.i.1995, sample 1 1b, QVM 23:40497; 1 male, same details but sample 1–3a, QVM 23:40498; 1 male, same details but sample 1–4a, QVM 23:40499; 1 male, same details but pitfall emptied 22.ii.1995, sample 1–2a, QVM 23:40500; 1 male, same details but sample 1–3a, QVM 23:40501; 2 males, same details but pitfall emptied 23.xi.1995, sample 1–4a, AM KS91434 (formerly QVM 23:40503); 1 male, same details but pitfall emptied 16.i.1996, sample 1–1b, QVM 23:40505; 1 male, same details but sample 1–3b, QVM 23:40506; 1 male, same details but pitfall emptied 15.ii.1996, sample 1–3b, QVM 23:40508.

Other material examined: 23 males, 4 females; see Appendix for details.

Diagnosis: Wellpigmented; paranota reduced to slight lateral swellings; large, laminar, hoodlike distal process divided into two slightly overlapping portions; limbus elements tablike. Distinguished from A. johnsi by upright solenomere and by short, distally toothed extension of posterodistal corner of hood.

Description: As for A. johnsi (see Figs. 2 View FIGURE 2 A, 3B, 3F, 4, 5) in nongonopod details. Apical lateral extension of gonocoxa large, bluntly rounded ( Fig. 8 View FIGURE 8 ). Telopodites ( Figs. 8 View FIGURE 8 , 9 View FIGURE 9 ) short, almost reaching leg 6 bases when retracted. Telopodite small at base, expanding from about onequarter the telopodite height as large, laminar, hoodlike process, the hood open only medially and divided near telopodite base into a smaller anteromedial and a much larger lateral portion; anteromedial portion erect, slightly convex medially and with minutely fringed edges, the rounded tip slightly overlapped by anterior branch of lateral portion of hood; lateral portion branching distally, the anterior branch curving medially and with fringe of long, fine, irregular elements, the posterior branch bending sharply medially and basally and tapering to bluntly toothed tip. Solenomere arising as separate process at about onethird the telopodite height on anteromedial surface of telopodite, bending slightly posteriorly and laterally to enter hood, extending distally and tapering strongly, curving slightly medially then posteriorly, terminating at about threequarters the telopodite height in a slightly expanded, slightly rugose tip, with short, bluntly rounded, distally directed process arising at about onethird the solenomere length from its posterolateral surface. Telopodite with sparse coarse setae on posterior surface to about the level of solenomere origin.

Distribution and habitat: In richly organic soil in wet eucalypt forest and cool temperate rainforest over at least 3600 km 2 in southern and southwestern Tasmania ( Fig. 16 View FIGURE 16 ), from Wedge River and Mt Eliza in the north to the south coast, and east to Bracken Ridge near the Huon River, and from near sea level to ca. 450 m. A. bashfordi may also be represented among the unidentified western Atalopharetra in Fig. 15 View FIGURE 15 . As noted above, the range of this species and A. johnsi overlap by at least 2000 km 2, and the two species have been found to cooccur at several localities.

Etymology: In honour of Richard Bashford, Tasmanian forest entomologist, whose field work in the Southern Forests revealed the cooccurrence of this species with A. johnsi .