Nannaria suprema, Means & Hennen & Marek, 2021

Means, Jackson C., Hennen, Derek A. & Marek, Paul E., 2021, A revision of the minor species group in the millipede genus Nannaria Chamberlin, 1918 (Diplopoda, Polydesmida, Xystodesmidae), ZooKeys 1030, pp. 1-180 : 1

Nannaria suprema sp. nov. Figs 69 , 70 Vernacular name: "The High Elevation Twisted-Claw Millipede"

Material examined.

Holotype: United States - Virginia • ♂; Smyth County, Mount Rogers Natural Rec Area , FR 84; 36.70672°N, - 81.60284°W; elev. 1318 m; 25 June 2014; hand collected; J. Means, P. Marek and E. Francis leg.; VTEC MPE00075 .

Paratypes: United States - Virginia • 1 ♀; same collection data as holotype; VTEC MPE00066 • 1 ♀; same collection data as holotype; VMNH MPE00068 .

Other material.

United States - Tennessee • 2 ♂♂; Johnson County, 2 NE Shady Valley McQueen Gap Rd., 1 jct. Hwy 133 Harp Mtn.; 36.5580°N, - 81.9097°W; May 2002; A. Gagan leg.; VMNH NAN0459; SCAU - Virginia • 1 ♂; Grayson County , Grayson Highlands State Park , Haw Orchard Mountain , Twin Pinnacles trail; 36.6250°N, - 81.5020°W; elev. 1530 m; 10 June 2017; hand collected; C. Harden leg.; VTEC MPE03436 • 1 ♂; Grayson County , Grayson Highlands State Pk Haw Orchard Mtn., DF site 1, behind water tank; 36.6251°N, - 81.5008°W; 17 Sep. 1990; VMNH survey leg.; VMNH NAN0121 • 6 ♂♂; Grayson County , Grayson Highlands State Park , DF site 1, nr Visitor Center ; 36.6242°N, - 81.4979°W; 17 Oct. 1990; VMNH survey leg.; VMNH NAN0132 • 1 ♂; same collection data as preceding; 20 May 1991; VMNH NAN0357 • 7 ♂♂; Grayson County , Grayson Highlands State Park DF site 2, below picnic area, Haw Orchard Mountain ; 36.6242°N, - 81.4979°W; 17 Sep. 1990; VMNH survey leg.; VMNH NAN0122 • 11 ♂♂; same collection data as preceding; 17 Oct. 1990; VMNH NAN0127 • 1 ♂; Grayson County , Grayson Highland State Park , site 1, above water tank, Haw Orchard Mtn.; 36.6250°N, - 81.5008°W; 2 June 1991; VMNH survey leg.; VMNH NAN0123 • 1 ♂; same collection data as preceding; 30 Aug. 1990; VMNH NAN0415 • 2 ♂♂; Grayson County , drift fence site 1 Grayson Highlands State Park ; 36.6211°N, - 81.4845°W; 2 Oct. 1990; VMNH survey leg.; VMNH NAN0413 • 3 ♂♂; Grayson County , Whitetop Mtn., DF site off FS 89, beechwoods; 36.6387°N, - 81.6055°W; elev. 1524 m; 7 Sep. 1990; VMNH survey leg.; VMNH NAN0125 • 2 ♂♂; same collection data as preceding; 18 Nov. 1993; VMNH NAN0129 • 6 ♂♂; same collection data as preceding; 11 July 1993; VMNH NAN0131 • 2 ♂♂; same collection data as preceding; 15 Mar. - 23 Apr. 1994; VMNH NAN0139 • 1 ♂; Grayson County , S. slope Mt. Rogers ; 36.6597°N, - 81.5447°W; elev. 1372 m; 19 Apr. 1970; Karren leg.; VMNH NAN0134 • 1 ♂; same collection data as preceding; 19 May 1957; Highton, R. Hoffman leg.; VMNH NAN0135 • 1 ♂; same collection data as preceding; 27 Sep. 1969; group trip leg.; VMNH NAN0136 • 2 ♂♂; from the border of Johnson and Sullivan counties, top of Holston Mtn., 2 mi. NW of Shady Valley , U.S. Hyw. 421; 36.5394°N, - 81.9535°W; 17 May 1974; R. Hoffman leg.; VMNH NAN0171 • 1 ♂; Grayson County, Grayson Highlands State Park at Massie’s Gap; 36.6242°N, - 81.4979°W; elev. 1372 m; 23 Aug. 1984; A. Garland leg.; VMNH NAN0179 • 1 ♂; Smyth County , Sugar Grove, Raccoon Branch Wilderness campground, near beginning of Raccoon Branch Trail by campsite 8; 36.7462°N, - 81.4247°W; elev. 855 m; hand collected; D. Hennen leg.; VTEC MPE02634 • 1 ♂; Smyth County , Va. Hy. 600, halfway between Konnarock and Elk Garden; 36.7003°N, - 81.6109°W; elev. 1219 m; 10 May 1982; R. Hoffman et alia leg; VMNH NAN0128. For detailed collection data see Suppl. material 7 .

Diagnosis.

Adult males of Nannaria suprema sp. nov. are distinct from other Nannaria and the sympatric N. aenigma , based on the following combination of characters: Gonopods. Acropodite simple and curving medially, without lateral flange as in N. aenigma . Distal zone short, directed dorsomedially (Fig. 69C ), with large, triangular lateral flange (Fig. 69A , red arrow)-not serpentine as in N. aenigma . Telopodite basal zone thin with lateral bulge, not simple, straight as in N. ambulatrix sp. nov. and N. aenigma . Telopodite basal zone> 1/2 length of acropodite, not subequal to length as in N. ambulatrix sp. nov., or ca. 1/6 length as in and N. aenigma . Prefemur with serpentine, ventrally curving prefemoral process (Fig. 69B , red triangle), not medially curving as in N. ambulatrix sp. nov., or straight, acicular as in and N. aenigma . Prefemoral spine reduced, sharp. Color. Tergites with orange paranotal spots with lateral white trim (Fig. 70 ). Individuals variably with a dark brown to black background. Dorsum of collum smooth with orange margin with white trim.

Measurements.

♂ holotype (VTEC, MPE00075): BL = 30.1, CW = 3.4, IW = 2.2, ISW = 0.7, B11W = 4.4, B11H = 2.9; ♀ paratype (VTEC, MPE00066): BL = 31.8, CW = 4.0, IW = 2.2, ISW = 0.9, B11W = 5.3, B11H = 3.6.

Variation.

Some individuals from Grayson Highlands, Virginia, display a phenotypic variation wherein the acropodite tip is directed dorsally in the anterior view, rather than medially; though this is extremely rare.

Distribution.

Known from a small area in southwestern Virginia and northeastern Tennessee (Tennessee: Johnson and Sullivan counties; Virginia: Grayson and Smyth counties, Suppl. material 7; Fig. 126 ). Distribution area: 342 km2; status: MRE.

Ecology.

Individuals of N. suprema sp. nov. have been found in mesic hardwood forests dominated by oak, maple, rhododendron, hemlock, and red spruce; they are often found under logs and leaf litter.

Etymology.

This species is named for its occurrence at high elevations, including the peak of Mount Rogers, the highest point in Virginia. The specific name is derived from the Latin supremus, highest, and is a feminized adjective.

Type locality.

United States, Virginia, Smyth County, Mount Rogers Natural Rec Area, FR 84; 36.70672°N, - 81.60284°W.

Figures

Figure 69. Nannaria suprema sp. nov. holotype ♂ (VTEC, MPE 00075) left gonopod A anterior view; red arrow indicates small, triangular lateral flange B medial view; red triangle indicates ventrally curving prefemoral process C posterior view. Scale bar: 0.5 mm.

Figure 70. Nannaria suprema sp. nov. holotype ♂ (VTEC, MPE 00075) coloration. Scale bar: 4.0 mm.

Figure 126. Distribution map of Nannaria minor species group collection localities in the central Appalachians.