Rondonaria, 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 : 44

Rondonaria n. gen.

Type species: R. schubarti n. sp.

Name: Derived from the Brazilian state in which the type species is endemic, therefore indirectly a patronym for the celebrated ethnologist Candido Mariano da Silva Rondon whose name is pervasively woven into the fabric of Brazilian natural history .

Diagnosis: A chelodesmine genus of uncertain tribal affinity, distinguished from all known genera by the unusually deep proximal extension of the cannular socket, almost to contact with the median sternal element. The large size, uniformly dark coloration, and large, nearly horizontal paranota set Rondonaria apart from other known regional genera on a superficial basis. The profuse bristly ventral setation of the podomeres may be diagnostic.

Gonopods large, extended anteriad between legs of the 6 th segment, median sternal element small but distinct. Tracheosternal apodeme relatively short, nearly straight. Coxae not produced laterad and without dorsal apophysis, setation represented only by one paracannular seta and one or two on dorsolateral side. Cannular socket remarkably large and deep, nearly in contact with sternum. Telopodite set against coxa at nearly a right angle, prefemoral region elongate, straight, with large, distally calyciform process from base on dorsal side. Acropodite elements, smaller and shorter than prefemoral, consisting of a small, acute distal projection (b in Fig. 8) and a rounded apical lobe, the dorsomedial edge conducting the prostatic groove, set off as a separate element by a deep flexure on lateral side (a in Fig. 8a).

Cyphopods ( Figs. 4, 5) partly exposed at opening of gonotheca, coxae acutely produced, with several distinct striations on posterior surface.

Species: Only the type species is known ( R. schubarti ).

Distribution: Known only from several localities in Rondônia and northern Mato Grosso.