Gephyrodesmus coolahensis, 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 : 15-17

Gephyrodesmus coolahensis n. sp.

Fig. 10; map Fig. 12

Holotype: Male. Coolah Tops National Park , NSW, 31º43'59"S 150º02'04"E, 1100 m (GE), 7–25 November 2001, M. Gray, G. Milledge & H. Smith, pitfall. In AM, KS 103041, dissected, stored in three genitalia vials.

Paratypes: In AM: 2 females , details as for holotype, KS 103042 .

Other material examined: None available.

Diagnosis: Medial branch of gonopod telopodite with distal portion well-defined by abrupt constriction, and with tip expanded; short, spike-like process between solenomere and medial branch; anterior edge of ring 7 aperture well separated from anterior edge of prozonite; metatergite sculpture hard to see.

Description: As for the genus. Male/female approximate measurements: length 11/ 11 mm, midbody prozonite diameter 1.1/ 1.1 mm, midbody width across paranota 1.6/ 1.5 mm. In alcohol, holotype mainly chestnut brown with complex pattern of small, pale patches. Antennal sockets separated by ca. 2.5X a socket diameter. Collum narrower than head and tergite 2, D-shaped with posterior margin slightly convex. Raised areas on metatergites, except for posterior lateral area (extending onto posterior paranotal corner) very low, poorly defined. Gonopod aperture about one-third prozonite width, ovoid, wider than long, anterior edge well separated from anterior edge of prozonite, lateral edge raised posteriorly.

Gonopod telopodite ( Fig. 10) with base expanding distally above a shallow posterior constriction, long setae on posterolateral surface to level of branching at about one-third telopodite height. Solenomere massive at base, bending slightly laterally, abruptly tapering at about two-thirds telopodite height above a small, distally directed, flange-like projection on posterior surface; solenomere then curving posteromedially before abruptly turning distally at 'elbow', tapering and curving slightly anteriorly, the tip small and blunt. Medial branch C-shaped from base (concave posteriorly), somewhat flattened mediolaterally, abruptly narrowing just posterior to solenomere and proximal to solenomere tip, then curving basally and terminating in a mediolaterally flattened plate at the level of the solenomere 'elbow', the plate with one anterior and two basal marginal teeth, a fourth marginal tooth on posterior surface of narrowed portion of the medial branch at the abrupt narrowing, all four teeth small and rounded. Between solenomere and medial branches a small spike-like process with a blunt tip, directed distally, bending slightly anteromedially and terminating just proximal to the solenomere 'elbow'.

Female not noticeably larger than male, legs not swollen. Genital aperture with posterior margin raised as long, low, straight-edged flange, just over one-third the metazonite diameter, the anterior edge slightly scalloped on either side of the midline. Cyphopods not examined.

Distribution: Known only from the type locality, southwest of Tamworth in northeastern New South Wales ( Fig. 12). The Coolah Tops carry tall, open eucalypt forest (NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service 2002).

Etymology: For the Coolah Tops portion of the Liverpool Range in New South Wales.