Bromodesmus rufus, Mesibov, Robert, 2004

Mesibov, Robert, 2004, A new genus and four new species of millipedes from Tasmania, Australia (Diplopoda: Polydesmida: Dalodesmidae), with notes on male leg setae in some Tasmanian dalodesmids, Zootaxa 558, pp. 1-19 : 13-15

Bromodesmus rufus n. sp.

Figs. 2 , 9 ; map Fig. 10

Holotype: Male, Liawenee, DP686614 (41°53’54”S, 146°37’17”E), 1090m, 4.iii.1995, R. Mesibov and T. Moule, QVM 23:22095.

Paratypes: Male, same details as holotype, AM KS8219 (ex QVM 23:22095); male, Projection Bluff, DP762827 (41°42’25”S, 146°42’50”E), 920m, 5.xi.1995, R. Mesibov and M. Kinsey, QVM 23:22097; male, Waddamana, approx. DP790350 (42°08’12”S, 146°44’45”E), ca. 600m, 22–25.xi.1996, C. Brockmann, QVM 23:40517; 2 males, Diamond Tier, DP863320 (42°09’49”S, 146°50’02”E), 820m, 16.vii.2000, R. Mesibov and T. Moule, QVM 23:41862, 1 dissected; 4 females, Projection Bluff, DP771823 (41°42’38”S, 146°43’29”E), 1010m, 4.iii.1994, R. Mesibov, QVM 23:15164.

Other material examined: 7 males, 24 females and 30 juveniles; see Appendix for details.

Diagnosis: Solenomerite curvature interrupted by abrupt turn distad at ‘elbow’ with basal extension.

Description: As for genus. Length ca. 23 mm, maximum vertical diameter ca. 2.1 mm. In alcohol, well­colored specimens deep red­brown with pale brown head; legs and antennae light brown basally and red­brown distally.

Paranotum on segment 2 with straight, thickened lateral margin, anterior corner rounded, posterior corner produced slightly as tooth; strongly depressed, barely projecting. More posterior paranota as in B. catrionae but with groove on segments 5–13 ( Fig. 9 ).

Telopodite ( Fig. 9 ) as in B. catrionae but solenomerite origin at between one­third and one­half the telopodite length. Solenomerite arising on mesal surface, laterally flattened and curving slightly anteriorly, then posteriorly, then abruptly turning distad at an ‘elbow’ with basally directed tip, tapering gradually to ‘elbow’, then tapering strongly to terminate in very fine point. Prostatic groove following solenomerite curvature but not extending into ‘elbow’. From solenomerite origin, telopodite flattening anteroposteriorly, concave posteriorly, mesal wall extended posteriorly at about two­thirds the telopodite length just lateral to solenomerite; telopodite flattening further and greatly expanding at about threequarters its length into posteriorly concave ‘hood’ fringed laterally and distally with long, straight teeth; anterior surface of ‘hood’ with a few small, laterally flattened projections.

Distribution and habitat: In wet eucalypt forest and subalpine woodland over ca. 3500 km 2 on the Central Plateau of Tasmania and adjoining areas ( Fig. 10 ), from ca. 500 m to at least 1260 m. B. rufus is sometimes found sheltering under woody litter on wet ground.

Etymology: Latin rufus , reddish, adjective, referring to the color of the live animal.

Figures

FIGURE 2. Bromodesmus spp. females. (A) B. catrionae n. sp. (QVM 23: 22082), (B) B. militaris n. sp. (QVM 23: 15150), (C) B. riparius n. sp. (QVM 23: 45813) and (D) B. rufus n. sp. (QVM 23: 40519). Scale bar = 10 mm.

FIGURE 9. Bromodesmus rufus n. sp. (QVM 23: 41862). (A) Posteromesal view of distal portion of right telopodite. Dashed line shows course of prostatic groove; for clarity the continuation of the groove to the tip of the solenomerite is not indicated. (B) dorsal and (C) posterior outlines of segment 12. Scale bar for A = 0.20 mm, for B and C = 1.0 mm.

FIGURE 10. Known localities in Tasmania of Bromodesmus catrionae n. sp. (triangles), B. militaris n. sp. (squares), B. riparius n. sp. (round dots) and B. rufus n. sp. (crosses).