Orthorhachis jubata, Mesibov, 2008

Mesibov, Robert, 2008, The millipede genera Gephyrodesmus Jeekel, 1983 and Orthorhachis Jeekel, 1985 in southeastern Australia, a new Lissodesmus Chamberlin, 1920 from Victoria, and observations on male leg setae, spinnerets and metatergite sculpture (Diplopoda: Polydesmida: Dalodesmidae), Zootaxa 1790, pp. 1-52 : 31-33

Orthorhachis jubata n. sp.

Fig. 20; map Fig. 32B

Holotype: Male. Palm Grove, Tamborine, Qld, G. & S. Monteith [possibly 1972], pitfall 37 A. In QM, S83673 (in two pieces, anterior end in genitalia vial).

Paratypes: In QM: 1 male, Mt Tamborine , Qld, 1979, J. Grimshaw, rainforest, pit traps, S83674 ; 1 male, 1 female, Numinbah Arch , Qld, 28º14'S 153º14'E, 1 January–29 February 1992, D.J. Cook, rainforest, pitfall, S83675 .

Other material examined: None available.

Diagnosis: Gonopod telopodite with short, posterolaterally directed medial process, and with a toothed crest anterior to the medial process continuing as a line of evenly spaced teeth on the anterior surface of the telopodite.

Description: As for the genus. Male and female approximate measurements: length 16 mm, midbody prozonite diameter 1.5 mm, midbody width across paranota 2.2 mm. Body discoloured, near-uniform light brown. Antennal sockets separated by 2X a socket diameter. Antennae slender, relative lengths of antennomeres 2>6>3>(4,5). Collum D-shaped, as wide as head and narrower than tergite 2. Metatergite sculpture indistinct, Pattern A. Paranota with anterior margin convex and not noticeably roughened, lateral margin very slightly convex. Legs slender, leg 6 tarsus 1.6X as long as femur. Brush setae with forked tips.

Gonopod aperture longer than wide, wider anteriorly, about one-third the width of the ring 7 prozonite, rim raised posterolaterally. Telopodite ( Fig. 20) short, broad at base below abrupt constriction, slightly tapering distal to constriction and bending slightly posteriorly; long setae on posterolateral surface to between onethird and one-half telopodite height; branching beginning at three-quarters telopodite height. From about onequarter telopodite height, telopodite with a line of evenly spaced, rounded teeth on anteromedial surface, continued as an irregular toothed crest on anterodistal portion of base of medial process. Solenomere a tapering cylinder, directed distally and slightly posterolaterally and curving slightly distally. Medial process well-separated from solenomere, small, triangular, directed posterolaterally and lying posterior to solenomere base. Prostatic groove running laterodistally for short distance on anterior surface of telopodite, then distally lateral to line of teeth, then tightly looping posterodistally at base of medial process, then following curve of solenomere to tip.

Female not significantly larger than male, legs very slender and not swollen. Genital aperture with posterior margin raised in wide, almost flat-topped flange, bent slightly anteriorly, with small median tooth. Cyphopods not examined.

Distribution: Known from three sites in far southeastern Queensland over a linear range of ca. 35 km ( Fig. 32B). Possibly parapatric with O. serrata and O. yabbra .

Etymology: Latin jubatus, crested, adjective. In side view the gonopod telopodite resembles a lizard with a toothed crest on head and back.