Orthorhachis cavatica Jeekel, 2006

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 : 22

Orthorhachis cavatica Jeekel, 2006

Fig. 14; map Fig. 31

Orthorhachis cavatica Jeekel, 2006:74 , Figs. 4–6.

Holotype: Male. Tricketts Cave, Yarrangobilly, NSW, 13 April 1971, E. Hamilton-Smith, field code BS2103. Not examined.

Paratypes: 1 male, 3 females, details as for holotype. Not examined.

Other material examined: None available.

Diagnosis: Gonopod telopodite with solenomere well-separated from medial process, the latter terminating in three lobes, the anterior lobe most distal and distally crenulate.

Description: The following brief notes are based on the description given by Jeekel (2006), with direct quotes as indicated. Male/female approximate measurements: width across paranota 2.4/ 2.8 mm. Body 'brownish-pinkish white'. Antennal sockets separated by 1.5X a socket diameter. Antennae long, 'length of 6th to 8th antennomeres combined almost as long as the 3rd'. Collum 'a little narrower than the head and the 3rd somite, subreniform in dorsal outline.' 'Surface of metatergites in middle part of the body along the posterior margin with 5+5 longitudinal ribs, each bearing a faint wart. Before this zone, behind the transverse furrow, the surface is uneven and has 4+4 indistinct warts.' Paranota with lateral margin 'widely convex'. Legs slender, leg on ring 7 with tarsus 1.7X as long as femur (Jeekel 2006, Fig. 4). Gonopod telopodite as shown ( Fig. 14); this figure was redrawn from Jeekel (2006, Figs. 5, 6). Female genital aperture with posterior margin 'raised, widely and weakly concave, but without median projection between the coxae.'

Distribution: Known only from the type locality in Kosciuszko National Park, southeastern New South Wales, close to one of the O. catherinae localities ( Fig. 31).

Remarks: The types of O. cavatica and O. paradoxalis are among specimens on loan from SAM (Jeekel, 2006) and were not available for study. However, it seems clear from Jeekel's description (quoted above) that the metatergite sculpturing in this species conforms to Pattern A.