Corresponding author: Robert Mesibov (
Academic editor: S. Golovatch
The genus
In this paper I describe 18 new species of
The late C.A.W. Jeekel wrote of
Localities for
'Male' and 'female' in the text refer to adult individuals. All specimens are stored in 75–80% ethanol in their respective repositories.
Gonopods were cleared in 80% lactic acid and temporarily mounted in 60% lactic acid for optical microscopy, while other body parts were temporarily mounted in a 1:1 glycerol:water mixture. Preliminary gonopod drawings were traced from photomicrographs taken at 160× through a binocular microscope. Measurements were made with a Nikon SMZ800 binocular dissecting microscope using an eyepiece scale, and are reported below to the nearest 0.5 mm. SEM images were acquired digitally using a FEI Quanta 600; some specimens were examined after air-drying and sputter-coating with platinum, while others were air-dried, examined and returned to alcohol. Images and drawings were prepared for publication using GIMP 2.8. Maps were generated using ArcView GIS 3.2.
The
Abbreviations: = Australian Museum, Sydney, NSW = Australian National Insect Collection, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory = Australia New Zealand Scientific Exploration Society = Museum Victoria, Melbourne, Vic = New South Wales = Queensland = Queensland Museum, Brisbane, Qld = South Australia = South Australian Museum, Adelaide, SA = Victoria
Other assigned species:
Small
The diagnosis above slightly amends the one given in
Generalised gonopods of
In this paper I provide posterior or posterolateral gonopod views of all species described here. These views are convenient when examining males with tightly flexed telopodites, and with careful attention to shape and position, a posterior or posterolateral view is diagnostic. However, readers should be aware that important diagnostic details of the telopodites may be hidden in these views, and that in the SEM views published here, thin portions of the
When an
Variation in most non-gonopod characters across the genus is minor and the redescription of the type species
In 12 of the 21 known Australian species, males and females have 19 body rings, in five species 20 rings, and in one species males have 19 rings and females 20; three species known only from males have 19, 19 and 20 rings. The smaller species generally have 19 rings and the larger 20 rings, but the correlation of ring number and body size is loose, and two of the largest Australian species have 19 rings (
There is also no apparent relationship between body size and the development (or absence) of the 'pseudo-paranota' formed by lateral metatergal tubercles on posterior rings (
'Pseudo-paranotum' extremes. Lateral (
Although the metatergal setae in most Australian
Metatergal setae on midbody rings.
While examining the new
Presumed spiracular openings (arrows) on midbody rings.
Finally, included here as
Male, Mt Bartle Frere, Qld, west slopes,
1 female, details as for holotype, QM S96016.
None.
Male and female with head + 20 rings. Colour in alcohol very faintly reddish. Male/female ca 8.0/8.5 mm long; ring 12 maximum diameter ca 0.6/0.7 mm, maximum width ca 0.85/0.9 mm. Metatergal tubercles in 8-10 irregular transverse rows, mostly without setae; metatergal setae short with slightly flared tips; lateralmost two rows of tubercles not enlarged, together forming narrow pseudo-paranotum with 6 marginal tubercles. Male leg 6 coxa with small, rounded, mediodistal projection. Telopodite (
Posterior gonopod views.
Known only from rainforest high on Mt Bartle Frere in tropical north Queensland (
Latin
Male, Mt Hayward, Qld,
8 males, 3 females, 4 stadium 7 males, 2 stadium 7 females, 4 stadium 6 males, 2 stadium 6 females, details as for holotype, QM S96018.
2 males, Bellenden Ker, Centre Peak, Qld, summit,
Male and female with head + 20 rings. Colour in alcohol pale yellow. Male/female ca 9.0/10 mm long; ring 12 maximum diameter ca 0.75/0.9 mm, maximum width ca 0.9/1.0 mm. Metatergal tubercles in 8-10 irregular transverse rows, larger tubercles mostly with setae; metatergal setae long, bluntly pointed; 5 lateralmost tubercles slightly enlarged, forming very narrow pseudo-paranotum. Male leg 6 coxa with small, rounded, mediodistal projection. Telopodite (
Known from rainforest at two localities ca 450 km apart in north Queensland (
Latin
The very wide disjunction between the two known localities is puzzling, and I suspect that the Bellenden Ker locality on the specimen label is incorrect. I have not noticed any differences in gonopod or non-gonopod features between the two populations.
Male, Lamb Range, 19 km S of Mareeba, Qld,
7 males, 10 females, 1 stadium 6 female, details as for holotype, QM S96021.
Male and female with head + 19 rings. Colour in alcohol pale yellow. Male/female ca 8.0/8.0 mm long; ring 12 maximum diameter ca 0.65/0.8 mm, maximum width ca 0.7/1.1 mm. Metatergal tubercles in ca 12 irregular transverse rows, mostly without setae; metatergal setae short with slightly flared tips; lateralmost tubercles not enlarged, not forming pseudo-paranotum. Male legs 6 coxa with rounded, mediodistal projection. Telopodite (
Rainforest in the Lamb Range and adjacent hills inland from Gordonvale, tropical north Queensland (
Latin
Like
Male, 11 km W by N of Bald Hill, McIlwraith Range, Qld, search party campsite,
None.
Male with head + 20 rings. Colour in alcohol pale white. Male ca 7.5 mm long; ring 12 maximum diameter ca 0.6 mm, maximum width ca 0.75 mm. Metatergal tubercles in 7-8 irregular transverse rows, mainly without setae; metatergal setae long, pointed; 4 lateralmost tubercles not enlarged, forming very narrow pseudo-paranotum. Male leg 6 coxa with prominent mediodistal projection. Telopodite (
Known only from the type locality on the Cape York Peninsula in far north Queensland (
In honour of ANIC, the Australian National Insect Collection, whose collection of berlesates has yielded many new species of Australian millipedes.
The telson of the holotype is damaged and the distal portions of legs 6 are missing.
Male, Bonang Road, Vic,
None.
Male and female with head + 19 rings. Colour in alcohol pale white. Male/female ca 3.5/4.0 mm long; ring 12 maximum diameter ca 0.3/0.4 mm, maximum width ca 0.4/0.5 mm. Metatergal tubercles in ca 4-5 irregular transverse rows, mostly without setae; metatergal setae short with slightly flared tips; 3 lateralmost tubercles enlarged, forming narrow pseudo-paranotum. Male leg 6 without coxal projection. Telopodite (
Posterior gonopod views.
Known from wet eucalypt forest in East Gippsland, Victoria, over a linear extent of ca 20 km (
For the Bonang Highway, a narrow and winding road through the eastern Victorian mountains, type locality of this species; noun in apposition.
Like
Male, Imlay Road, NSW,
Male and female with head + 19 rings. Colour in alcohol pale white. Male/female ca 4.0/4.5 mm long; ring 12 maximum diameter ca 0.4/0.5 mm, maximum width ca 0.5/0.6 mm. Metatergal tubercles in ca 6 irregular transverse rows, mostly without setae; metatergal setae short; 3 lateralmost tubercles enlarged, forming narrow pseudo-paranotum. Male leg 6 without coxal projection. Telopodite (
Wet eucalypt forest in far southeastern New South and far eastern Victoria (
In honour of Catherine and George Car, co-collectors of this species at the holotype and paratype localities; adjective.
Like
Male, Wotton Scrub, Kenneth Stirling Conservation Park, SA,
Males and females with head + 19 rings. Colour in alcohol pale yellow. Male/female ca 5.0/5.5 mm long; ring 12 maximum diameter ca 0.45/0.5 mm, maximum width ca 0.55/0.7 mm. Metatergal tubercles in 6-7 irregular transverse rows, mostly without setae; metatergal setae short with slightly flared tips; 5 lateralmost tubercles enlarged, forming very narrow pseudo-paranotum. Male leg 6 without coxal projection. Telopodite (
Wet and dry eucalypt forest in the Adelaide Hills east of Adelaide, South Australia (
In honour of the American entomologist Don Chandler, who collected the first known specimens of this species while on a field trip to Australia; adjective.
At the type locality I found an isolated aggregation of individuals of this species in very wet, friable material inside a rotting eucalypt log (
As with
Male, Gayundah Creek, Hinchinbrook Island, Qld,
None.
Male and female with head + 20 rings. Colour in alcohol very pale yellow. Male/female ca 10.5/10.5 mm long; ring 12 maximum diameter ca 0.9/1.1 mm, maximum width ca 1.25/1.3 mm. Metatergal tubercles in 10–12 irregular transverse rows, mainly without setae; metatergal setae short with slightly flared tips; lateralmost row of tubercles enlarged, together with more medial 1-2 rows forming wide pseudo-paranotum with 5-6 marginal tubercles (
Known only from rainforest on Hinchinbrook Island, east of Cardwell in tropical north Queensland (
For the type locality, Gayundah Creek; noun in apposition.
Male, Hahn Tableland, N end, Qld,
9 males, 6 females, details as for holotype, QM S38962.
Male and female with head + 20 rings. Colour in alcohol very pale yellow. Male/female ca 9.0/10.0 mm long; ring 12 maximum diameter ca 0.8/1.0 mm, maximum width ca 0.9/1.2 mm. Metatergal tubercles in 10-12 irregular transverse rows, mainly without setae; metatergal setae short with slightly flared tips; lateralmost row of tubercles enlarged, together with more medial 1-2 rows forming prominent pseudo-paranotum with 6 marginal tubercles. Male leg 6 coxa with small, rounded, mediodistal projection. Telopodite (
Rainforest in tropical north Queensland from Mt Finnigan near Cooktown south to the Graham Range, a linear extent of ca 180 km (
For the type locality, the Hahn Plateau; adjective.
Male, Bellenden Ker Range, Qld, summit TV station,
None.
Male with head + 19 rings. Colour in alcohol brownish yellow. Male ca 8.0 mm long; ring 12 maximum diameter ca 0.6 mm, maximum width ca 0.65 mm. Metatergal tubercles in ca 10 irregular transverse rows, mainly without setae; metatergal setae short with slightly flared tips; lateralmost row of tubercles not enlarged, not forming pseudo-paranotum. Male leg 6 coxa with small, rounded, mediodistal projection. Telopodite (
Posterior gonopod views.
Localities for
Localities for
Localities in far north Queensland for
Known only from rainforest on the summit of Mt Bellenden Ker in tropical north Queensland (
For the type locality, Mt Bellenden Ker; adjective.
Latitude/longitude data corrected following
Male, Mt Pershouse, Kirrama Range, Qld,
Male and female with head + 19 rings. Colour in alcohol pale yellow. Male/female ca 10.0/10.5 mm long; ring 12 maximum diameter ca 0.75/0.8 mm, maximum width ca 0.8/0.9 mm. Metatergal tubercles in 12-16 irregular transverse rows, mainly without setae; metatergal setae short with slightly flared tips; lateralmost row of tubercles not enlarged, not forming pseudo-paranotum. Legs 6 and 7 coxae with long mediodistal projections (shorter on leg 7) with rounded tips. Telopodite (
Known only from rainforest on Mt Hosie and Mt Pershouse, ca 3 km apart in tropical north Queensland (
For the Kirrama Range; noun in apposition.
Male, Mt Fisher, 7 km SW of Millaa Millaa, Qld, Whiteing Road,
1 male, 1 stadium 5 male, details as for holotype, QM S96055.
None.
Male with head + 19 rings. Colour in alcohol pale yellow. Male ca 7.5 mm long; ring 12 maximum diameter ca 0.5 mm, maximum width ca 0.6 mm. Metatergal tubercles in ca 10-12 irregular transverse rows, mainly without setae; metatergal setae short with slightly flared tips; lateralmost row of tubercles not enlarged, not forming pseudo-paranotum. Male leg 6 without coxal projection. Telopodite (
Known only from rainforest at the type locality on the Atherton Tableland in tropical north Queensland (
For the type locality, Millaa Millaa; noun in apposition.
Male, Fosters Gully, Morwell National Park, Vic,
None.
Male and female with head + 19 rings. Colour in alcohol pale white. Male/female ca 4.5/5.0 mm long; ring 12 maximum diameter ca 0.4/0.5 mm, maximum width ca 0.5/0.6 mm. Metatergal tubercles in ca 5 irregular transverse rows, mainly without setae; metatergal setae very short; 4 lateralmost tubercles enlarged, forming narrow pseudo-paranotum. Male leg 6 without coxal projection. Telopodite (
Known from eucalypt forest in the Latrobe River valley in West Gippsland, Victoria, at two sites ca 7 km apart (
For the type locality, Morwell National Park; adjective.
Male, Tower near The Crater, Qld,
Male and female with head + 19 rings. Colour in alcohol pale yellow. Male/female ca 8.0/9.0 mm long; ring 12 maximum diameter ca 0.75/0.85 mm, maximum width ca 0.75/0.85 mm. Metatergal tubercles in ca 12 irregular transverse rows, mainly without setae; metatergal setae short with slightly flared tips; lateralmost tubercles not enlarged, not forming pseudo-paranotum. Male leg 6 coxa with prominent mediodistal projection. Telopodite (
Known from rainforest on the Atherton Tableland and the coastal range just southeast of Cairns in tropical north Queensland (
Greek
Male, Bellenden Ker Range, Qld, cable tower 5,
Male and female with head + 19 rings. Colour in alcohol very pale yellow. Male/female ca 5.5/6.0 mm long; ring 12 maximum diameter ca 0.6/0.65 mm, maximum width ca 0.8/0.85 mm. Metatergal tubercles in 4-5 irregular transverse rows, larger tubercles mainly with setae; metatergal setae long with slightly flared tips (
Rainforest southwest of Babinda in tropical north Queensland, with a known east-west extent of ca 50 km (
Latin
Specimens from North Bell Peak are larger than those from the type locality and have more prominent dorsal tubercles. Latitude/longitude data for the types have been corrected following
Male, Saddle Mountain, Qld, summit,
6 males, 1 female, 1 stadium 6 female, details as for holotype, QM S96076.
Male and female with head + 19 rings. Colour in alcohol very pale yellow. Male/female ca 8.0/8.0 mm long; ring 12 maximum diameter ca 0.7/0.8 mm, maximum width ca 0.7/0.85 mm. Metatergal tubercles in 10-12 irregular transverse rows, mainly without setae; metatergal setae short with slightly flared tips; lateralmost tubercles not enlarged, not forming pseudo-paranotum. Male leg 6 coxa with small, rounded, mediodistal projection. Telopodite (
Wet forest in tropical north Queensland from the Cape tribulation area south to the Atherton Tableland, a north-south extent of ca 120 km (
Latin
Male, Mt Bartle Frere, Qld, centre peak ridge,
None.
Male with head + 19 rings, female with head + 20. Colour in alcohol very pale yellow. Male/female ca 9.0/9.5 mm long; ring 12 maximum diameter ca 0.75/0.9 mm, maximum width ca 0.8/1.0 mm. Metatergal tubercles in 10–12 irregular transverse rows, mainly without setae; metatergal setae short with slightly flared tips; lateralmost tubercles not enlarged, not forming pseudo-paranotum. Male leg 6 without coxal projection. Telopodite (
Known only from rainforest at the type locality in tropical north Queensland (
Latin
The Bartle Frere females were assigned to this species rather than to the co-occurring
Male, near Yuccabine Creek, Kirrama Range, Qld,
3 males, 7 females, 1 stadium 6 female, details as for holotype, QM S96094.
Male and female with head + 19 rings. Colour in alcohol pale yellow. Male/female ca 9.0/9.5 mm long; ring 12 maximum diameter ca 0.7/0.85 mm, maximum width ca 0.8/0.9 mm. Metatergal tubercles in 10-12 irregular transverse rows, mainly without setae; metatergal setae short with slightly flared tips; lateralmost tubercles not enlarged, not forming pseudo-paranotum. Male leg 6 without coxal projection. Telopodite (
Rainforest in the Cardwell Range (includes Kirrama Range), inland between Tully and Ingham in tropical north Queensland (
For Yuccabine Creek, the type locality; adjective.
This species was described from three specimens collected by Dr and Mrs Jeekel in 1980, under logs in rainforest along the 'Broken Hill' [probably 'Broken River'] track in Eungella National Park (
There is little to add to the excellent description and illustrations of
I thank Beth Mantle, Robyn Meier and Cate Lemann (ANIC), Peter Lillywhite (NMV) and Owen Seeman (QM) for assistance, registrations and the loan of specimens, and Kate Sparks (SAM) for registrations. SEM images were acquired with the help of Karsten Goemann (Central Science Laboratory, University of Tasmania). Robert and Jenni Henzell very kindly provided access to their private forest at Uraidla, SA. Valuable suggestions for improvement were made by reviewers Sergei Golovatch and Nguyen Duc Anh. Field trips and laboratory studies were funded by the author.
Specimen records of Australian