Atelomastix smithi, Mesibov, Robert, 2017

Mesibov, Robert, 2017, Iulomorphid millipedes (Diplopoda, Spirostreptida, Iulomorphidae) of Tasmania, Australia, ZooKeys 652, pp. 1-36 : 22-24

Atelomastix smithi sp. n. Fig. 10B

Holotype.

Male, Ooze Lake, Tas, -43.5003 146.7019 ± 100 m [label "DM 758 834" (= 55G 475800 5183400, AGD66)], 870 m a.s.l., 16 February 1988, S.J. Smith, QVM 23:54179; dissected.

Paratypes.

2 males and 1 juvenile, details as for holotype, QVM 23:54484; 1 male, Promontory Lake, Tas, -43.1667 146.3653 ± 1 km [label "DN 483 203" (= 55G 448300 5220300, AGD66)], 25 February 2004, P. Sugden, QVM 23:24959.

Other material.

None.

Diagnosis.

Readily distinguished from the otherwise similar Atelomastix bonhami sp. n. by the pseudoflagellum curving distally; this difference can be seen in undissected males.

Description.

As for Atelomastix bonhami sp. n., but the two known males with 40-50 ocelli in 5-6 horizontal rows; holotype with (54+0) rings, 2.2 mm midbody diameter, paratype with (47+1) rings, 2.1 mm. Females (QVM 23:54484) more robust than males: (42+1) and (47+0) rings, both 2.5 mm in midbody diameter.

Anterior gonopod (Fig. 10B) with sclerite “a” bending posteriorly near bluntly rounded, thickened apex; pseudoflagellum (Fig. 10B; ps) arising at ca 3/4 gonopod height, curving smoothly distally, bending medially and terminating just beneath sclerite “a” apex; a longitudinally divided, thickened tab (Fig. 10B; t) arising just distal to pseudoflagellum origin along sclerite “a” midline. Sclerite “b” arising medially at ca 1/3 gonopod height, ca 2x as wide distally as at origin, thickly lamellar, the distal margin with rounded corners, sloping anterobasally; a double row of small, short setae near distal margin. Sclerite “c” more or less cylindrical, slightly tapered, apex thickened with shallow notch on anterior surface; a few long setae on anterior surface of sclerite at level of sclerite “b” apex.

Distribution.

Known from two localities ca 45 km apart at ca 900 m elevation, south and west of the known range of Atelomastix bonhami sp. n. in southwest Tasmania (Fig. 7D). Atelomastix smithi sp. n. is likely to be more widely distributed in this little-sampled wilderness area.

Name.

For Steven J. Smith, first collector of this species and formerly a senior zoologist with the Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service; noun in the genitive case.