Nannaria stellaradix, 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 stellaradix sp. nov. Figs 42 , 43 , 44 Vernacular name: “Starroot’s Twisted-Claw Millipede"

Material examined.

Holotype: United States - Virginia • ♂; Montgomery County, Riner, 222 Milky way NW, in wetland below lake; 36.9662°N, - 80.4179°W; elev. 773 m; 17 Oct. 2014; hand collected; J. Means leg.; VTEC MPE002331.

Paratype: United States - Virginia • 1 ♂; same collection data as holotype; VMNH MPE00241 • 3 ♀♀; same collection data as holotype; VTEC MPE00238 -240 • 2 ♀♀; same collection data as holotype; VMNH MPE00242 , 244.

Other material.

United States - Virginia • 1 ♂; Floyd County, 2 mi. SW of Copper Valley; 36.9702°N, - 80.5425°W; 15 Oct. 1974; R. Hoffman leg.; VMNH NAN0146 • 1 ♂; Floyd County, Big Indian Creek , ca. 2 mi. S of Copper Valley; 36.9615°N, - 80.5171°W; 16 Apr. 1970; B. Coombs leg.; VMNH NAN0147 • 1 ♂; Pulaski County, Powhatan Scout Reservation, ca. 1 mi. E. of Macks Creek P.O.; 36.9645°N, - 80.6626°W; 6 Mar. 1976; R. Hoffman leg.; VMNH NAN0165. For detailed collection data see Suppl. material 7 .

Diagnosis.

Adult males of Nannaria stellaradix sp. nov. are distinct from other Nannaria and the sympatric N. wilsoni , based on the following combination of characters: Gonopods. Gonopodal acropodite continually curving medially before apex. Distal zone short, directed medially with small triangular lateral flange (Fig. 42A , red arrow), not directed caudally with enveloping lateral and medial flanges as in N. hokie , or enlarged, laminate, as in N. wilsoni . Acropodite with small laminate medial flange (Fig. 42A , red triangle). Basal zone> 1/3 length of acropodite, not <1/5 as in N. wilsoni . Prefemur with enlarged prefemoral spine. Prefemur with small, ventrally curving prefemoral process arising dorsomedially from spine, not from top of spine as in N. hokie , or long, medially curving, paralleling acropodite as in N. wilsoni . Color. Tergites with light orange paranotal spots (Fig. 43 ). Dark brown background. Dorsum of collum smooth with orange and white margin.

Measurements.

♂ holotype (VTEC, MPE00233): BL = 23.8, CW = 2.9, IW = 1.8, ISW = 0.8, B11W = 3.7, B11H = 2.6; ♀ paratype (VTEC, MPE00238): BL = 25.4, CW = 3.4, IW = 2.2, ISW = 0.9, B11W = 3.9, B11H = 2.8.

Variation.

Three populations from Pulaski and Floyd counties in Virginia (VMNH, NAN0146, 147, 165) show some morphological variation (Fig. 44 ) that may indicate a separate species; however, without molecular evidence, specific recognition is not warranted. Notable variations in these populations include a prefemoral process arising from the top of the prefemoral spine (Fig. 44 , red arrow) and the lack of an acropodite medial flange.

Distribution.

Known from a linear area in southern Virginia (Virginia: Floyd and Pulaski counties, Suppl. material 7; Fig. 126 ). Distribution area: 11 km2; status: MRE.

Ecology.

Individuals of N. stellaradix sp. nov. were collected from mesic mixed hardwood and pine habitats predominately composed of maple and white pine; individuals were collected from under leaf litter.

Etymology.

This species is named after the owner of the property from which the holotype was found, an artist named Starroot. The specific name is a noun in apposition derived from the Latin stella -, star, and - radix, root.

Type locality.

United States, Virginia, Montgomery County, Riner, 222 Milky way NW, in wetland below lake, 36.9662°N, - 80.4179°W.

Figures

Figure 42. Nannaria stellaradix sp. nov. holotype ♂ (VTEC, MPE 00233) left gonopod A anterior view; red arrow indicates lateral flange; red triangle indicates small medial flange B medial view C posterior view. Scale bar: 0.5 mm.

Figure 43. Nannaria stellaradix sp. nov. holotype ♂ (VTEC, MPE 00233) coloration. Scale bar: 4.0 mm.

Figure 44. Nannaria stellaradix sp. nov. non-type ♂ (VMNH, NAN 0165) from Pulaski County, Virginia. Red arrow indicates prefemoral process arising from the top of the prefemoral spine. Scale bar: 0.5 mm.

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