Nannaria scholastica, Means & Hennen & Marek, 2021

Means, Jackson C., Hennen, Derek A. & Marek, Paul E., 2021, A revision of the minor species group in the millipede genus Nannaria Chamberlin, 1918 (Diplopoda, Polydesmida, Xystodesmidae), ZooKeys 1030, pp. 1-180 : 1

Nannaria scholastica sp. nov. Figs 9 , 10 Vernacular name: "The Scholarly Twisted-Claw Millipede"

Material examined.

Holotype: United States - Virginia • ♂; Rockbridge County, Lexington, Washington and Lee University campus, hillside beside community gardens; 37.7956°N, - 79.4427°W; elev. 330 m; 14 Nov. 2017; hand collected; J. Means, D. Hennen leg.; VTEC MPE03485 .

Paratypes: United States - Virginia • 4 ♂♂; same collection data as holotype; VTEC MPE03486 , 3498, 3500, 3517 • 3 ♂♂; same collection data as holotype; VMNH MPE03516 , 3518, 3625 • 1 ♀; same colletion data as holotype; VTEC MPE03499 • 1 ♂; Rockbridge County, W & L campus Lexington ; 37.7956°N, - 79.4427°W; 20 Nov. 1948; R. Hoffman leg.; VMNH NAN0306. For detailed collection data see Suppl. material 7 .

Diagnosis.

Adult males of Nannaria scholastica sp. nov. are distinct from other Nannaria and the nearby N. shenandoa , based on the following combination of characters: Gonopods. Gonopodal acropodite gently curving ventromedially before apex, not straight as in N. terricola . Distal zone twisted dorsolaterally (Fig. 9 ). Tip directed dorsolaterally, flattened, with enlarged acuminate flange on inner margin (Fig. 9B , red arrow), not with folds, grooves, flanges as N. shenandoa . Telopodite lacking swollen basal zone of N. terricola and heavily reduced basal zone of N. shenandoa . Prefemur with curved, saber-like prefemoral process, not straight as in N. terricola . Prefemoral process (when viewed medially) not crossing the acropodite as in N. shenandoa . Prefemoral process slightly constricted at base (Fig. 9C , red triangle), one-half length of acropodite. Prefemur lacking prefemoral spine. Color. Tergites with white paranotal spots (Fig. 10 ). Dark brown background. Dorsum of collum smooth with white margin.

Measurements.

♂ holotype (VTEC, MPE03485): BL = 32.5, CW = 4.2, IW = 2.1, ISW = 0.9, B11W = 5.4, B11H = 3.2; ♀ paratype (VTEC, MPE03499): BL = 34.2, CW = 3.9, IW = 2.5, ISW = 1.0, B11W = 5.4, B11H = 3.8.

Variation.

No known variation.

Distribution.

Known only from the type locality (Virginia: Rockbridge County, Suppl. material 7; Figs 114 , 126 ). Distribution area: N/A; status: MRE.

Ecology.

Individuals of N. scholastica sp. nov. were collected from a mesic mixed pine-deciduous forest composed of maple, tuliptree, black cherry, beech, and white pine. They were found under leaf litter on top of the soil. Nannaria scholastica sp. nov. was found along with an undescribed species of Nannaria in the Nannaria wilsoni species group; however, the two species had ostensibly stratified themselves in two longitudinal strips, with the Nannaria wilsoni species at the top of the hill, and N. scholastica sp. nov. ca. 10 m lower down on the slope. Similar specific elevational spacing has been observed in N. serpens sp. nov. and N. stellaradix sp. nov.; however, in this case the Nannaria minor group N. serpens sp. nov. and N. stellaradix sp. nov. were found from the higher elevation areas of the hill, while the undescribed Nannaria wilsoni group species were found at the bottom of the hill.

Etymology.

This species is named for its discovery on the campus of an academic institution, Washington and Lee University. The specific name Nannaria scholastica is Latin for academic, and is a feminized adjective.

Type locality.

United States, Virginia, Rockbridge County, Lexington, Washington and Lee University campus hillside beside community gardens, 37.7956°N, - 79.4427°W.

Figures

Figure 9. Nannaria scholastica sp. nov. paratype ♂ (VMNH, NAN 0306) left gonopod A anterior view B medial view; red arrow indicates medial flange C posterior view; red triangle indicates slight prefemoral process constriction. Scale bar: 0.5 mm.

Figure 10. Nannaria scholastica sp. nov. holotype ♂ (VTEC, MPE 03485) coloration. Scale bar: 4.0 mm.

Figure 114. Geographic distributions of the 18 Nannaria minor group clades. Black dot: Nannaria scholastica, sky blue: N. domestica clade, orange: N. fowleri clade, white: N. paupertas clade, dark green: Nannaria ' Murphy' clade, green: N. mcelroyorum clade, burnt orange: N. hardeni, brown: N. serpens clade, turquoise: N. castanea clade, neon green: N. laminata clade, cranberry pink: N. tasskelsoae clade, camo green: N. tennesseensis clade, yellow: N. ignis clade, blue: N. ohionis clade, pink: N. blackmountainensis clade, light green: N. terricola clade, purple: N. ambulatrix clade, red: N. minor clade.

Figure 126. Distribution map of Nannaria minor species group collection localities in the central Appalachians.