Rhicnostethus, Hoffman, 2006

Hoffman, Richard L., 2006, Diplopoda From Rondônia, Brazil. Ii. Three New Genera In The Family Chelodesmidae (Polydesmida) R L. H Abstract, Papéis Avulsos de Zoologia (S � o Paulo) 46 (5), pp. 43-55 : 51-52

Rhicnostethus n. gen.

Type species: E. rondoni , by present designation. The genus also includes Leptodesmus coriaceus Schubart (1947) from Mato Grosso.

Name: A neologism composed of the Greek elements rhicnos (wrinkled) and stethos (chest, sternum), in reference to the singular appearance imparted by the dense longitudinal carination of the podosterna.

Diagnosis: This genus is distinguished by the combination of longitudinally wrinkled (striated) podosterna, microgranular tergal texture, prolonged male gonapophysis and course of the prostatic groove along the edge of a broad lobe of the acropodite.

Distribution: This taxon is known from the Brazilian states of Rondônia and Mato Grosso.

Species: Two species are so far known ( R. rondoni , R. coriaceus ).

Remarks: Several characters, such as small gonopod aperture, granulate dorsum, shape of peritreme, and size and placement of the gonocoxal apophysis suggest possible affinity with taxa in the tribe Chondrodesmini . The longitudinal striation of the sterna is possibly a generic apomorphy, although the condition in R. coriaceus (not mentioned, but possibly overlooked, by Schubart) requires examination.