Paracortina inflata, Chen & Zheng & Jiang, 2023

Chen, Hui-Ming, Zheng, Chang-Bin & Jiang, Xuan-Kong, 2023, The millipedes (Diplopoda) in Yintiaoling National Natural Reserve, Southwest China, Zootaxa 5257 (1), pp. 49-81 : 54-57

Paracortina inflata sp. nov.

Figs 7–10

Type materials. Holotype male: China, Chongqing, Wuxi County, Yintiaoling National Nature Reserve, Hongqi , Longtan Cave , 31°30’40.73” N, 109°49’40.93” E, alt. 1677 m, 14 August 2022, X.K. Jiang & H.M. Chen leg. Paratypes: 5 males and 9 females, same data as holotype ; 1 male and 2 females, Yintiaoling National Nature Reserve , Hongqi, a manual tunnel under the Shuangtong Dam, 31°31’16.83” N, 109°49’51.84” E, alt. 1458 m, 14 August 2022, X.K. Jiang & H.M. Chen leg.

Etymology. This specific name is an adjective Latin word, meaning ‘inflated’ and refers to the shape of the prefemoroidal lateral processes of the gonopod.

Diagnosis. This species can be distinguished from other congeneric species by the large and inflated prefemoroidal lateral processes of the gonopod ( Figs 9A, C ; 10A, C ) (vs. clavate or stick-like in other species) and the particular shape of the apex of the gonopod ( Figs 9D , 10D ).

Description. Adult males body length 46–50 mm, width 2.8–3.0 mm, 56–58 pleurotergites + telson. Adult females body length 48–52 mm, width 3.1–3.4 mm, 57–60 pleurotergites + telson. Body coloration uniformly light brownish ( Figs 7 , 8 ).

Head convex, as broad as pleurotergite 5, covered with minute setae. Eyes with ca. 55 pigmented ocelli in 8 or 9 horizontal rows ( Fig. 8A ). Organ of Tömösváry small, about 2–3 times larger than an ocellus, situated close to anteroventral side of eye. Antennae slender, reaching the posterior edge of PT6; length of antennomeres: 2=3>4=5>6>7>1; tip of antennomere 7 with four cones ( Fig. 8A ). Collum much narrower than head ( Fig. 7 ). pleurotergites 6 and 7 in males strongly enlarged ( Fig. 8A ). Crests on collum and metazona moderately developed, 5+5 primary crests distinct, some secondary crests inconspicuous, 5–8 +5–8 ( Figs 7 , 8B ), and ca. 12 small crests down to ventral pleurotergal edge. 3rd primary crest strongly enlarged ( Fig. 8B ). Ozopores starting with pleurotergite 6, present until penultimate pleurotergite, placed on tip of 3rd primary crest. Setal pattern as in Table 1 . Axial line rather distinct ( Fig. 8B ). Epiproct simple, rear part with ca. 30 long setae in 3–4 transverse rows. Anal valves smooth, each divided into a small triangle and a large sclerite, both with a pair of macrosetae. Spinnerets comparatively thin and long, ending with a long macroseta. Hypoproct tripartite, medial sclerite largest, subrectangular, bearing two paramedian macrosetae; each lateral sclerite with a single macroseta ( Fig. 8C ). Male leg-pairs 1 and 2 evidently shorter, leg-pair 3 slightly shorter than midbody legs. Midbody legs about twice as long as pleurotergite height. Coxal sacs present from 3rd at least to leg-pair 18, but most abraded. Coxae 2 with a gonopore posteriorly, opening from a small cone. Coxae 7 normal without mesal spine; prefemora slightly incrassate. Tarsal pads small, present from 3rd to about leg pair 21.

Gonopod coxae freely connected through a medial membranous lamina. Coxa strongly broadened, bearing a large, broad anterior process, tapering apically, near the length of telopodite ( Figs 9A–C , 10A–C ). Prefemur with two processes. Lateral process inflated and drop-shaped, densely setose, about half the length of telopodite ( Figs 9A, C ; 10A, C ). Inner process small, base with several setae ( Figs 9C , 10C ). Femoroidal stem long, slender, directed cephalad. Subterminal part of femoroidal stem broadened, forming a complex tip with ten apices ( Figs 9A–C , 10A–C ). One dorsal and one ventral process located subterminal part directed basally. Terminal part trifid ( Figs 9D , 10D ). Dorsal branch with two apices, basal one short and straight, directed mesally and distal one strongly bent, with a sharp tip. Ventral branch with three tips and a small apical lobe. A broad and rounded lobe located below the two branches. Seminal groove ending on the ventral branch.

Female. Slightly larger than males, pleurotergites 2 and 3 strongly enlarged. Leg pairs 1 and 3 with tarsal pads. Leg pair 1 strongly reduced in size. Leg pair 2 normal. All legs with unmodified coxae. Cyphopods small, densely setose ( Fig. 9E ).

Distribution. Known only from the type locality.

Remarks. The family Paracortinidae contains two genera and 14 species, distributed in Southwest China (Yunnan and Sichuan) and Vietnam ( Liu & Tian 2015). The new species described here is the most northeast one on record, significantly expanding the distribution range of this family.

Figures

FIGURE 7. Live specimen of Paracortina inflata sp. nov.

FIGURE 8. Habitus of Paracortina inflata sp. nov. A. Anterior part of body, ventral view; B. Midbody segments, dorsal view; C. Posterior part of body, ventral view. Scale bars: A, B = 1 mm; C = 0.5 mm.

FIGURE 9. Gonopod and vulva of Paracortina inflata sp. nov. A. Left gonopod, lateral view; B. Left gonopod, ventral view; C. Left gonopod, mesal view; D. Tip of left gonopod, anterior view; E. Vulva, posterior view. Scale bars: 0.5 mm.

FIGURE 10. Gonopod of Paracortina inflata sp. nov. A. Left gonopod, lateral view; B. Left gonopod, ventral view; C. Left gonopod, mesal view; D. Tip of left gonopod, anterior view. Scale bars: 0.5 mm. Abbreviations: cp, coxal process; fs, femoroidal stem; pip, prefemoroidal lateral process; plp, prefemoroidal inner process.