Nannaria caverna, 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 caverna sp. nov. Figs 24 , 25 Vernacular name: "The Carter Caves Twisted-Claw Millipede"

Material examined.

Holotype: United States - Kentucky • ♂; Carter Co., Carter Caves State Park ; 38.3738°N, - 83.1142°W; 24 Sep. 2017; hand collected; J. Means, D. Hennen leg.; VTEC MPE03139 .

Paratypes: United States - Kentucky • 1 ♂; same collection data as holotype; VTEC MPE03157 • 1 ♀; same collection data as holotype; VTEC MPE03158 • 1 ♂; same collection data as holotype; VMNH MPE03160 • 1 ♀; same collection data as holotye; VMNH MPE03159 . For detailed collection data see Suppl. material 7.

Diagnosis.

Adult males of Nannaria caverna sp. nov. are distinct from other Nannaria and nearby N. shenandoa , based on the following combination of characters: Gonopods. Gonopodal acropodite linear, bent medially forming 130° angle with telopodite basal zone bent medially at tip, not continually curving throughout as N. serpens sp. nov. and N. shenandoa . Tip simple, rectangular, without laminate flanges as in N. shenandoa . Telopodite basal zone tall,> 1/2 length of acropodite, not <1/2 as in N. serpens sp. nov. and N. shenandoa . Prefemur with sinuous, ventrally directed prefemoral process, bent at a 90° angle, arising from large, pronounced prefemoral spine (Fig. 24B , red arrow), not directed cephalically as in N. serpens sp. nov., or curving laterally as in N. shenandoa . Color. Tergites with light orange paranotal spots (Fig. 25 ). Light grey background, likely due to teneral condition of specimens. Collum smooth with orange margin.

Measurements.

♂ holotype (VTEC, MPE03139): BL = 24.7, CW = 3.8, IW = 2.5, ISW = 0.8, B11W = 4.2, B11H = 2.9. ♀ paratype (VMNH, MPE03159): BL = 25.7, CW = 3.2, IW = 2.2, ISW = 1.2, B11W = 4.0, B11H = 2.9.

Variation.

No known variation.

Distribution.

Known only from the type locality (Kentucky: Carter Caves State Park; Suppl. material 7; Fig. 127 ). Distribution area: N/A; status: MRE.

Ecology.

Individuals of N. caverna sp. nov. were collected as they emerged from hardpacked soil on the edge of a creek running through Carter Caves State Park. The surrounding forest was made up of hardwood trees and rhododendron thickets.

Etymology.

This species is named for its type locality. The specific name is a noun in apposition from the Latin caverna for cave.

Type locality.

United States, Kentucky, Carter Co., Carter Caves State Park, 38.3738°N, - 83.1142°W.

Figures

Figure 24. Nannaria caverna sp. nov. holotype ♂ (VTEC, MPE 03139) left gonopod A anterior view B medial view; red arrow indicates ventrally directed prefemoral process C posterior view. Scale bar: 0.5 mm.

Figure 25. Nannaria caverna sp. nov. holotype ♂ (VTEC, MPE 03139) coloration. Scale bar: 4.0 mm.

Figure 127. Distribution map of Nannaria minor species group collection localities in the northern Appalachians.