Orthorhachis gloriosa, Mesibov, 2008

Mesibov, Robert, 2008, The millipede genera Gephyrodesmus Jeekel, 1983 and Orthorhachis Jeekel, 1985 in southeastern Australia, a new Lissodesmus Chamberlin, 1920 from Victoria, and observations on male leg setae, spinnerets and metatergite sculpture (Diplopoda: Polydesmida: Dalodesmidae), Zootaxa 1790, pp. 1-52 : 29-30

Orthorhachis gloriosa n. sp.

Fig. 18; map Fig. 32B

Holotype: Male. Mt Glorious , Qld, Hiller property, 1977–78, G. Monteith, rainforest pitfall 91. In QM, S83671 .

Paratypes: In QM: 2 males , details as for holotype, QM S83672 .

Other material examined: None available.

Diagnosis: Gonopod telopodite with dentate flange extending basally from base of solenomere on posterolateral surface.

Description: As for the genus. Male approximate measurements: length 14 mm, midbody prozonite diameter 1.1 mm, midbody width across paranota 1.8 mm. Body discoloured, near-uniform light brown. Antennal sockets separated by 2X a socket diameter. Antennae slender, relative lengths of antennomeres (2,3,6)>(4,5). Collum D-shaped, posterior margin slightly emarginate on either side, as wide as head and narrower than tergite 2. Metatergite sculpture distinct, Pattern A. Paranota with anterior margin sloping posterolaterally to distinct corner, lateral margin parallel to long axis of body. Legs slender, leg 6 tarsus 1.6X as long as femur. Brush setae with forked tips.

Gonopod aperture ovoid, wider than long, slightly wider anteriorly, one-third the width of the ring 7 prozonite, rim raised posterolaterally. Telopodite ( Fig. 18) short, base broad and swollen posterolaterally to about half telopodite height; long setae on posterolateral surface to between one-third and one-half telopodite height; branching beginning at three-quarters telopodite height. Solenomere rod-like, slightly tapered, directed distally and slightly posteriorly with bluntly rounded tip; posterolateral surface extended basally as posterolaterally directed flange, nearly as long as solenomere, with ca. 7 widely spaced marginal teeth. Medial process standing very close to solenomere, expanding distally and flattening mediolaterally, terminating at about half solenomere height with broad, slightly convex edge facing distally and slightly posteriorly, the posterior corner projecting posteriorly about as far as solenomere in lateral view.

Female not yet recognised.

Distribution: Known only from the type locality, ca. 30 km northwest of Brisbane in southeastern Queensland ( Fig. 32B).

Etymology: Latin gloriosus, splendid, adjective, referring to Mt Glorious, the type locality.