Brachoria platana Means, Hennen, Marek, 2021

Means, Jackson C., Hennen, Derek A., Tanabe, Tsutomu & Marek, Paul E., 2021, Phylogenetic Systematics of the Millipede Family Xystodesmidae, Insect Systematics and Diversity 5 (2), No. 1, pp. 1-26 : 13-14

Brachoria platana Means, Hennen, Marek , New Species

Vernacular Name: ‘The Carr Creek Mimic Millipede’ Figs. 5O,P and 11 .

Material examined: Type specimens. ♂ holotype ( VTEC MPE03250) and ♀ paratype ( VTEC MPE03253) from Kentucky, Knott County, Carr Creek State Park, woods behind campground and around marina (37.23148°N, - 83.00081°W, Elev. 329 m), 27 September 2017, 15:00, dry litter of tulip poplar, sycamore, autumn olive (Coll: J. C. Means and D. A. Hennen). Material examined listed in Supp Table 2 (online only).

Diagnosis: Adult males of Brachoria platana n. sp. are distinct from other apheloriine species based on the following combination of characters: Gonopods. Gonopodal acropodite curving dorsomedially at apex, with a distal cingulum, separating it from Apheloria and Rudiloria ( Fig. 11 ). Prefemoral process reduced to small ridge. Distal zone sinuous, curving first ventrally and then dorsally; in anterior view directed posteriorly at 90° from apex. Acropodite tip with lateral and medial flanges forming an envelope-like structure through which runs an elevated ridge carrying the solenomere ( Fig. 11A ). Color. Brachoria platana n. sp. has two color morphs, co-occurring. Tergites always with red or yellow paranotal spots, sometimes also with concolorous metatergal middorsal spots or stripes. Dark-brown to black background. Collum always with concolorous red or yellow anterior and lateral spots, sometimes also with a posterior spot and concolorous marginal lines connecting the spots.

Description: Supp Table 3 (online only). Based on Holotype (♂) MPE03250. Measurements (mm): BL = 41.0, CW = 7.4, IW = 4.7, ISW = 1.6, B11W = 9.4, B11H = 5.4.

Variation: Individuals of Brachoria platana n. sp. are known to exhibit two color morphs, 1) striped red ( Fig. 5O ) and 2) threespotted yellow ( Fig. 5P ).

Ecology: Individuals of Brachoria platana n. sp. were found in a mesic deciduous forest of tulip poplar, sycamore and autumn olive by the water’s edge of Carr Creek Lake.

Distribution: Brachoria platana n. sp. is known only from the type locality.

Etymology: This species is named after where the holotype was discovered, in a grove of American sycamores ( Platanus occidentalis ). The specific name is a noun in apposition derived from the Latin genus name of the American sycamore, ‘ Platanus ’.

Figures

Fig. 5. Color photographs of new species of xystodesmid millipedes and their color morphs. Appalachioria bondi n. sp. (A–G): AThree-spotted yellow morph with yellow legs, dorsal view, B Two-spotted pink morph with pink legs, dorsal view, C Three-spotted white morph with white legs, DThree-spotted orange morph with orange legs, ETwo-spotted yellow morph with pink legs, F.Two-spotted white morph with white legs, GThree-spotted yellow morph with pink legs, dorsal view. Appalachioria sierwaldae, n. sp. (H–I): H. Three-spotted morph with yellow paranotal spots and orange medial spots and orange legs. I. Threespotted yellow morph with yellow legs. Appalachioria brownae n. sp. (J–K): J. Three-spotted yellow morph with yellow legs. K. Two-spotted yellow morph with yellow legs. Brachoria camptera n. sp. (L–M): L. Two-spotted orange morph with white legs. M. Two-spotted red morph with red legs. Brachoria cryocybe n. sp. (N): N. Two-spotted morph with red paranotal spots and white stripe and red legs. Brachoria platana n. sp. (O–P): O. Striped red morph with red legs. P. Threespotted yellow morph with yellow legs. Rudiloria charityae n. sp. (Q): Q. Three-spotted morph with yellow paranotal spots and orange medial spots and yellow legs. Sigmoria beameri n. sp. (R): R. Two-spotted red morph with light red legs. Nannaria aenigma n. sp. (S–T): S. Two-spotted red morph with light red legs. T. Two-spotted white morph with white legs. Nannaria hokie n. sp. (U):Two-spotted red morph with gray legs.

Fig. 11. Brachoria platana n. sp. holotype ♂ left gonopod (VTEC MPE03250). (A) Anterior view; (B) Medial view; (C) Posterior view. Scale bar = 1.0 mm.