Agathodesmus summus, Mesibov, Robert, 2013

Mesibov, Robert, 2013, New species of Agathodesmus Silvestri, 1910 from Australia (Diplopoda, Polydesmida, Haplodesmidae), ZooKeys 325, pp. 33-64 : 58-59

Agathodesmus summus sp. n. Fig. 10B

Holotype.

Male, Mt Bartle Frere, Qld, centre peak ridge, 17°23'27"S, 145°48'33"E ± 500 m, 1400-1500 m a.s.l., 7-8 November 1981, Queensland Museum and Earthwatch personnel, QM berlesate 358, rainforest, sieved litter, QM S96088.

Paratypes.

QM: 2 males, 2 females, 1 stadium 7 female, details as for holotype, S96091; 2 males, same locality and collectors but S peak summit, 17°24'03"S, 145°49'00"E ± 500 m, 1620 m a.s.l., 6-8 November 1981, QM berlesate 359, rainforest, sieved litter, S96090; 1 female, same details but QM berlesate 354, S96089; 2 females, same locality but top camp, 17°23'47"S, 145°48'53"E ± 500 m, 1500 m a.s.l., 29 November 1998, G. Monteith, pyrethrum knockdown, S96092.

Other material.

None.

Diagnostic description.

Male with head + 19 rings, female with head + 20. Colour in alcohol very pale yellow. Male/female ca 9.0/9.5 mm long; ring 12 maximum diameter ca 0.75/0.9 mm, maximum width ca 0.8/1.0 mm. Metatergal tubercles in 10-12 irregular transverse rows, mainly without setae; metatergal setae short with slightly flared tips; lateralmost tubercles not enlarged, not forming pseudo-paranotum. Male leg 6 without coxal projection. Telopodite (Fig. 11B) with pp slightly curving posteriorly; at in oblique plane (facing posterolaterally), short, narrowly triangular, curving posterolaterally; dp directed laterobasally and slightly posteriorly at base; mab expanded distally, divided into 2 distally rounded lobes, the medial lobe with truncate medial projection at ca midlength; meb curving behind mab and nearly as long, divided at ca midlength into shorter, needle-like lateral process and broad medial process terminating in upturned hook.

Distribution.

Known only from rainforest at the type locality in tropical north Queensland (Fig. 13B). Possibly co-occurs on Mt Bartle Frere with Agathodesmus adelphus sp. n. and Agathodesmus quintanus sp. n.

Name.

Latin summus, 'highest'; adjective. This species was found at the top of Queensland's highest mountain, Mt Bartle Frere.

Remarks.

The Bartle Frere females were assigned to this species rather than to the co-occurring Agathodesmus adelphus sp. n. and Agathodesmus quintanus sp. n. because the females lack the narrow pseudo-paranota found in the other two species.