Agathodesmus johnsi Mesibov, 2009

Mesibov, Robert, 2009, Revision of Agathodesmus Silvestri, 1910 (Diplopoda, Polydesmida, Haplodesmidae), ZooKeys 12 (12), pp. 87-110 : 98

Agathodesmus johnsi Mesibov , sp. n.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:EB06E565-B956-4AA5-A896-0C17DE2A6B90

Figs 5C , 7B

Holotype. Male. Mt Aggie , Brindabella Ranges, ACT, Australia, 35°27’S 148°46’E, 5000’, 24 August 1966, P.M. Johns, snow sclerophyll, AM KS107965.

Paratypes. 12 males, 12 females, details as for holotype, AM KS94156 (two males dissected).

Diagnosis. Head + 19 rings; gonopod telopodite with distal portion directed laterally near origin and with broad lateral branch without notches, apically tapering and curving basally rather than anterobasally.

Description. Colour uniformly light yellow-brown after long preservation. Males and females as for A. steeli in all details so far noted, including apparent absence of spiracles ( Fig. 5C ), but male gonopod telopodite ( Fig. 7B ) with more short setae on posterior surface of basal portion, terminal tab narrower and less bent posteriorly, and distal portion directed laterally near base rather than posterolaterally, with narrow medial branch curving to lie against broad lateral branch, the latter undivided, curving basally and tapering to bluntly rounded tip.

Distribution and habitat. The only known locality is the summit of Mt Aggie at ca. 1500 m, where according to the collector, “The site was in scrubby high altitude Eucalyptus , a few bits of snow were around and the ground was quite damp” (P.M. Johns, in litt.).

Etymology. Adjective, genitive singular, for the collector Peter M. Johns.

Figures

Figure 5. Agathodesmus steeli Silvestri, 1910, ex AM KS107964. A Male midbody sternite (anterior towards top). B Anterior view of extended left gonopod. Agathodesmus johnsi sp. n., ex AM KS94156. C Left ventrolateral view of male midbody ring (anterior towards left); no spiracles are evident above leg bases. Scale bars: (A) = 0.5 mm; (B), (C) = 0.1 mm.

Figure 7. Ventral views of retracted male gonopods. A Agathodesmus steeli Silvestri, 1910, ex AM KS107964. B Agathodesmus johnsi sp. n., ex AM KS94156. Scale bars = 0.1 mm.