Stylopauropoides rounsevelli, Scheller, 2009

Scheller, Ulf, 2009, New species of Pauropoda (Myriapoda) from Tasmanian temperate rainforests, Memoirs of Museum Victoria 66 (2), pp. 289-329 : 312-314

Stylopauropoides rounsevelli sp.nov.

( Figs.117–127 )

Material Examined. Holotype. Ad.9 (female), Bruny Island , Mount Mangana, Loc. 12, (43°22.1'S, 147°17.0'E), litter, 4.iv.1989 ( PG).

Paratypes. Same data as holotype, 2 ad. 9 (male, female). Cradle Mountain Loc. 4, (41°35.4'S, 145°55.9'E), in moss on ground, 4 ad. 9 (female), 17.xi.1989 ( RC) .

Other material 84 specimens. Loc. 1, Fungi sample, 1 ad. 9 (female), 1 juv. 6, 21.iv.1989 ( JD, HM). Loc. 5, soil core , 1 ad. 9 (female), 29.xi.1989 ( PG). Loc. 6, in moss on log , 4 ad. 9 (female), 1 juv 6, 11.vi.1990 ( ATW), and in litter , 3 ad. 9 (female), 1 subad. 8 (female), 29.xi.1989 ( HM), and in pitfall trap , 2 ad. 9 (female), 24-29. xi.1989 ( RC), and suction , 1 ad. 9 (female), 28.xi.1989 ( RC). Loc. 7, soil cores , 1 ad. 9 (female), 1 juv. 5, 12.v.1989 ( HM, JD). Loc. 9, soil core , 1 ad. 9 (male), 20.x.1989 ( RC). Loc. 12, in litter , 2 ad. 9 (female), 4.iv.1989 ( PG), and in leaf litter , 1 ad. 9 (female), 1 subad. 8 (male), 1 juv. 6, 4.iv.1989 ( JD, PG), and in moss , 16 ad. 9 (4 male, 12 female), 6 subad. 8 (2 male, 4 female), 6 juv. 6, 6 juv. 5, 5 juv. 3 (JD). Loc. 13, in litter, 11 ad. 9 (4 male, 7 female), 7 subad. 8 (2 male, 5 female), 3 juv. 6, 27.ii.1989 ( SS). Loc. 16, in litter , 2 ad. 9 (male, female), 20.xii.1988 ( PG). Loc. 17, soil core , 1 juv. 6, 5.vi.1989 ( PG) .

Diagnosis. S. rounsevelli is a well defined species reason of the posterior vesicle of the temporal organs, the thin setae and the anal plate with distally thickened branches and appendages similar to nail-heads. It may be related to the preceding species, S. erectus , but is distinguished from that species by the following characters: antennal flagellae F 2 and F 3 subequal in length in rounsevelli , F 2 1.4–1.7 times as long as F 3 in erectus ; the vesicle of the temporal organs straight and attached to the cuticle very near the posterior margin anterior of l 1 and l 2, not curved and situated near the middle of the temporal organ; the posterior margin of the pygidial sternum with low bulge between the b 1, not a large triangular one; the st thin and pointed, not cylindrical and blunt; the branches of the anal plate straight and with a short but marked distal swelling, not somewhat curved and subclavate. There is evidence to consider S. rounsevelli related to S. bornemisszai Remy from Western Australia ( Remy 1957), but the differences are several, the shape of the tergal head setae, the shape of the st and the branches of the anal plate and their appendages.

Description. Length.-(0.50-)0.60(-0.84) mm.

Head.-Tergal setae annulate, submedian ones of median length, subcylindrical, blunt, sublateral and lateral ones fairly long, cylindrical. Relative lengths of setae, 1st row: a 1 =10, a 2 =(9-)10(-11); 2nd row: a 1 =(9-)11(-12), a 2 =13(-14), a 3 =(13-)17; 3rd row: a 1 =(9-)10, a 2 =10(-13); 4th row: a 1 =10(-12), a 2 =17(-18), a 3 =23(-27), a 4 =11(-13); lateral group setae: l 1 =24(-29), l 2 =22(-27), l 3 =24(-27). The ratio a 1 /a 1 -a 1 in 1st row 1.0(-1.1), 2nd row 0.5(-0.7), 3rd row 1.0(-1.2) and 4th row 0.8(-0.9). Length of temporal organs (0.8-)0.9 of their shortest distance apart; near posterior margin on a level with l 1 an aperture in the cuticle and in a depression anterior of l 1 and l 2 an exterior clavate straight vesicle; length of vesicle 0.2 of the length of temporal organ. Head cuticle and temporal organs faintly pubescent.

Antennae.-Segment 4 with six cylindrical annulate setae; their relative lengths: p =100, p' =(74-)85(-86), p'' =(50-)51(-57), p''' =(18-)20(-29), r =(26-)31(-33), u =(6-)8. Tergal seta p (0.8-)0.9(-1.0) of the length of tergal branch t. The latter fusiform, (2.5-)2.8 times as long as its greatest diameter and about as long as sternal branch, that branch 1.8(-2.2) times as long as its greatest diameter; distal corners of s equally truncate. Seta q cylindrical, annulate, pointed, 0.6(-0.7) of the length of s. Relative lengths of flagella (basal segments included) and basal segments: F 1 =100, bs 1 =(9-)10); F 2 =(77-)79(-81), bs 2 =9(-11); F 3 =(78-)79(-82), bs 3 =10(-12). The F 1 3.0(-3.5) times as long as t, F 2 and F 3 (2.2-)2.5 and (2.3-)2.5 times as long as s respectively. Distal calyces hemispherical with subglobular swelling of the flagellum axis between it and the most distal lamella, calyces largest on F 1; subdistal part of flagella axes not widened. Globulus g 1.4(-1.5) times as long as wide; about 10 bracts, capsule bottom convex; width of g 0.7 of the greatest diameter of t. Antennal branches glabrous, but the basal segments of flagella with delicate pubescence.

Trunk.-Setae of collum segment furcate; primary branch folioform with short almost erect pubescence, secondary branch rudimentary, cylindrical, glabrous. Sublateral setae (1.2-)1.3 times as long as submedian ones; sternite process triangular, anterior part narrow and with distinct incision; appendages subconical, caps rather flat and thick; process and appendages with short pubescence.

Setae on tergites thin, cylindrical, annulate, blunt, more posteriorly increasing in length, tapering and with short pubescence; 4+4 setae on tergite I, 6+6 on II-V, 4+2 on VI. Submedian posterior setae on VI (0.5-)0.6 of their distance apart and 1.7(-1.8) times as long as pygidial setae a

1

.

Relative lengths of bothriotricha: T 1 =100, T 2 =(82-)95(-97), T 3 =(84-)98(-105), T 4 =(85-)102(-114), T 5 =(147-)175(-180), axes thin, simple, straight, those in proximal 2/3 of T 3 moderately thickened. Pubescence hairs on T 5 and on proximal 1/3 of T 1, T 2 and T 4 and on proximal half of T 3 simple, oblique-erect, increasing in length outwards, on distal 1/3 of T 1 -T 4 much longer, branched distally and arranged in whorls.

Genital papillae subcylindrical with outer lateral part convex, 1.7(-1.8) times as long as their greatest diameter; distal seta 0.4 of the length of the organ.

Legs.-Setae on coxa and trochanter of leg 9 furcate, clavate, with oblique short pubescence, secondary branch protruding from the middle of the primary one and reaching 0.4–0.6 of the length of primary branch. These setae are more anteriorly with rudimentary glabrous secondary branches. Tarsus of leg 9 (3.3-)3.5(-3.7) times as long as its greatest diameter. Setae tapering, proximal one pointed and with very short oblique pubescence; distal seta subcylindrical and with longer pubescence. Proximal seta 0.4(-0.5) of the length of tarsus and 1.8(-2.5) times as long as distal seta. Cuticle of tarsus with minute pubescence.

Pygidium. Tergum.-Posterior margin between st with rounded bulge. Relative lengths of setae: a 1 =100, a 2 =(165-)167(-188), a 3 =(193-)200(-223), st =(47-)53(-55); setae thin, tapering, pointed, curved inwards, st also pointing inwards. Distance a 1 -a 1 1.4(-2.0) times as long as a 1; distance a 1 -a 2 (1.7-)2.0 times as long as distance a 2 -a 3; distance st-st 3.0(-3.5) times as long as st and (0.8-)1.1 times as long as distance a

1

-a

1

. Cuticle glabrous.

Sternum.-Posterior margin above b 1 with a rounded lobe. Relative lengths of setae (a 1 =100): b 1 =(164-)190(-198); setae very thin, tapering, with short pubescence only distally, 1.3(-1.4) times as long as their distance apart. Anal plate V-shaped, branches slender, cylindrical but with distal swelling, each branch with a distal appendage in the shape of the head of a thread-nail; plate and appendages with very distinct almost erect pubescence, longest on distal part of the branches, distal swelling glabrous on sternal side.

Etymology.-Dedicated to David Rounsevell who initiated the National Rainforest Conservation Program.

Distribution in Tasmania. Seems to be very widespread in Tasmanian rainforests.

Figures

Figs. 117–127. Stylopauropoides rounsevelli sp.nov., holotype: 117, head, median and right part, tergal view; 118, temporal organ, posterior part with pistil, lateral view; 119, right antenna, sternal view; 120, collum segment, median and left part, sternal view; 121, tergite VI, posterior part; 122, T; 123, T; 124, genital papillae and seta on coxa of 2nd pair of legs, anterior view; 125, seta on coxa of 9th pair of legs; 126, tarsus of 9th 3 5 pair of legs; 127, pygidium, sternal view. Scale line a for figures 122–126; b for figures 117, 118, 120, 121, 127; c for figure 119.