Amastigogonus tasmanianus Brölemann, 1913, by original designation.

Amastigogonus danpicola sp. n., A. elephas sp. n., A. fossuliger Verhoeff, 1944, A. hardyi (Chamberlin, 1920), A. hellyeri sp. n., A. michaelsae sp. n., A. orientalis sp. n., A. peninsulensis sp. n., A. verreauxii (Gervais, 1847).

Like Victoriocambala Verhoeff, 1944 in having the coxite process on the anterior gonopod close to the telopodite and nearly as long, forming a chamber resembling a bird’s beak in which the pseudoflagellum is protected. Differences between Amastigogonus/Victoriocambala, as noted by Jeekel (2009: 35), are leg 1 with free/fused tibia and tarsus, posterior gonopod without/with reduced telopodite.

Living animals usually with black or dark grey rings with annular pale band at rear of each metazonite, often with a greenish tinge (live A. fossuliger more consistently green, see species description); head, collum and telson often faintly reddish brown; legs pale. With long storage in alcohol and staining by defensive secretion, animals dull grey with faintly reddish legs.

Observed midbody diameter of larger males 2.5-4.2 mm, 55-71 podous rings. Head smooth, slightly convex, vertigial sulcus reaching to level of dorsalmost ocellar row. Ocellar area of larger males lenticular with ca 25-50 ocelli in 4-6 somewhat irregular horizontal rows. Antennae short, barely reaching past posterior edge of collum when manipulated dorsally; relative antennomere lengths (2=3)>6>(4=5); antennomere 6 widest; 4 apical cones; socket ca 1 socket diameter from lateral margin of head capsule. Gnathochilarium with lateral edges of mentum slightly convex, mentum about as wide as combined lingual plates; mentum-promentum junction slightly concave anteriorly; a prominent pit with small seta anteriorly on each gnathochilarial stipes. Collum convex, laterally narrowing with rounded corner, margins straight. Prozonites only slightly narrower than metazonites; suture weakly defined; fine longitudinal striae on lower portion of metazonite, anterior end of each stria (Fig. 3C; s) bent obliquely upwards towards suture (see Remarks, below); prozonites and metazonites with surface otherwise smooth, free of setae. Ozopores (Fig. 3C; o) small, round, beginning ring 6 at a little over 1/2 ring height, ring 6 ozopore distinctly lower than ring 7 ozopore; each ozopore at ca 1/3 the distance from suture to posterior metazonite margin, and usually absent from apodous rings. Limbus lamellar, undivided. Preanal ring smooth, epiproct broadly rounded, extending slightly over anal valves; hypoproct with slightly convex margin.

Legpair 1 separate on coxosternite, each leg 1 with 5 podomeres without setae, anteroposteriorly somewhat flattened; relative podomere lengths typically femur>tibia>(prefemur=postfemur)>tarsus, relative widths typically prefemur> femur>tibia>postfemur>tarsus (see Remarks, below); no claw. Small brushes of setae on legpair 1 coxosternite anterior to and between legs, and laterally on coxosternite corners. Leg 2 leg-like with large claw and reduced prefemur; penis arising basally on posterior coxal surface, barrel-shaped with a few long setae in apical crown. Leg 7 (and sometimes other legs near gonopod aperture; see Remarks, below) with elongated coxa (Fig. 2). Midbody legs short, ca 2/3 ring diameter when extended; relative podomere lengths prefemur>(femur=tarsus)>(postfemur=tibia). Most prefemora distally with conical prefemoral pad (Fig. 5A, B; pa); pads first appear on ring 8 legs and diminish in size posteriorly; pads small or absent on last 2-4 legpairs (see Remarks, below).

Figure 2. 

A, B Amastigogonus fossuliger Verhoeff, 1944 ex QVM 23:54468. A Left ventrolateral view of male with partly everted gonopods, showing legpair 7 (arrow) with elongated coxae B Anterior view of legpairs 6 and 7 on isolated ring 6 of same male, with leg 7 coxa marked with arrow C A. danpicola sp. n., QVM 23:54403, left ventrolateral view of male. Scale bars = 1 mm.

Posterior margin of gonopod aperture raised and thickened on either side, adjoining tips of retracted anterior gonopods. Anterior gonopods (Figs 3A, 3B, 3D, 3E, 6, 8) parallel, closely appressed. Anterior gonopod coxite (Figs 3A, B, D, E; cx) massive, rounded laterally, extending thin, finger-shaped process (Figs 3A, 3B, 3D, 3E, 6, 8; cxp) from anteromedial surface, process slightly concave laterally, thickened medially to ca 2/3 process height (coxite process more complex in A. danpicola sp. n., see species description). Telopodite (Figs 3A, 3B, 3D, 3E, 6, 8; te) arising from wide, shallow recess on coxite, paralleling coxite process and slightly longer; thin and slightly concave medially; somewhat thickened distally from near posterior margin to midline near apex, the thickening usually with row of more or less evenly spaced, prominent setae on posterior side and sometimes a separate row or group of setae on anterior side. Posterior surface of telopodite produced basally as rounded flange. Pseudoflagellum (Figs 3C, 6, 8; ps) thinly lamellar, usually arising at ca 1/2 telopodite height, usually supported by setae on distomedial surface of telopodite. Prostatic groove (Figs 3C, 6, 8; pg) running anterodistally from posterobasal corner of telopodite under rounded flange to pseudoflagellum, following anterior side of pseudoflagellum and terminating at pseudoflagellum tip. Posterior gonopod (Fig. 3F) ca 1/3 height of anterior gonopod, subcylindrical with apical recess posterolaterally, a crown of short setae around recess and an arm-like cylindrical process with rounded apex arising at ca 1/2 gonopod height on posterolateral surface and directed distally. In situ, posterior gonopod grips base of anterior gonopod telopodite between arm-like process and body of posterior gonopod, the posterior gonopod apex pressed against prostatic groove: “The rudimentary posterior gonopods (Fig. 3H) appear to be attached like forceps to the wall at the very base of the caudomedian ridges of the anterior gonopods (Fig. 3E)” (Mauriès, Golovatch and Hoffman 2001: 585).

Figure 3. 

A, B, D, E Amastigogonus hardyi (Chamberlin, 1920) ex TMAG J5987. Posterior (A, D) and anterior (B, E) views of isolated gonopods, showing coxite (cx), coxite process (cxp) and telopodite (te) of anterior gonopod, and posterior gonopod (po) holding posteromedial flange of telopodite C Amastigogonus fossuliger Verhoeff, 1944, QVM 23:54356; anteromedial view of tip of anterior gonopod telopodite, showing transparent pseudoflagellum (ps) and prostatic groove (pg) F Amastigogonus tasmanianus (Chamberlin, 1920) ex QVM 23:54344, isolated right posterior gonopod, medial view. Scale bars: A, B = 1.0 mm, C = 0.25 mm, F = 0.5 mm.

Female slightly larger in diameter than male with same ring count; leg 1 normally leg-like, claw-bearing; no prefemoral pads on any legs.

Amastigogonus species are closely similar in size, general appearance and habits, and males can only be positively identified by close inspection, and usually dissection, of the anterior gonopods. There is also some variation in non-gonopodal male structures, as noted here and in the species descriptions. The most reliable of these differences are in cardo shape and modifications of near-aperture legs:

Cardo. In A. danpicola sp. n. the cardo extends further ventrally in its posterior half than in its anterior half, i.e. the cardo is deeper posteriorly (Fig. 4A). In other Amastigogonus species the ventral edge of the cardo is either evenly convex or is deeper anteriorly (Fig. 4B).

Figure 4. 

A, B Lateral view of right cardo of A A. danpicola sp. n., holotype, QVM 23:54377 and B Amastigogonus fossuliger Verhoeff, 1944, ex QVM 23:54468 C–G Posterior view of left leg 1 of C Amastigogonus danpicola sp. n., ex QVM 23:54390 D A. hellyeri sp. n., ex QVM 23:54470 E A. michaelsae sp. n., QVM 23:54387 F A. tasmanianus (Chamberlin, 1920), ex QVM 23:54344 and G A. verreauxii (Gervais, 1847), TMAG J5915. All scale bars = 0.5 mm.

Near-aperture legs. In all Amastigogonus species, leg 7 has an elongated coxa (Fig. 2A, B; arrow). Less elongated coxae are also found on legs 10 and 11 in A. hellyeri sp. n. and on legs 6, 10 and 11 in A. danpicola sp. n. (Fig. 2C).

Other differences between species do not seem to be large enough or consistent enough to be useful for taxonomic purposes:

Legpair 1. The relative lengths and widths of the leg 1 podomeres vary a little between species (Fig. 4C–G), between individuals, and sometimes between right and left legs.

Prefemoral pads. There are differences between species in pad length, as shown in Fig. 5A and 5B (pa), but these differences are masked by the anteroposterior size gradient on single individuals as well as by variability from individual to individual.

Figure 5. 

A, B Male midbody leg of A Amastigogonus tasmanianus (Chamberlin, 1920), ex QVM 23:54344 and B A. fossuliger Verhoeff, 1944, ex QVM 23:54468, showing prefemoral pad (pa) C Amastigogonus hardyi (Chamberlin, 1920), male ex TMAG J5897, left lateral view of rings at ca 2/3 body length, showing position of topmost horizontal stria (st) relative to ozopore (o). Scale bars: A, B = 0.5 mm, C = 1.0 mm.

Metazonal striae. The height reached by the horizontal striae on the metazonites diminishes slightly from anterior to posterior. At ca 2/3 body length, the topmost horizontal stria lies at ca 1/2 or ca 3/4 of the height to the ozopore (Fig. 5C; st), depending on species, but with considerable variation between rings and between individuals.

Male, Apsley River, Tas, -41.7992 148.1508 ±250 m [label “EP 955 717” (= 55G 595500 5371700, AGD66)], 300 m a.s.l., 5 July 1988, R. Mesibov, QVM 23:54377 (specimen in 3 pieces).

1 male, locality and collector as for holotype but -41.7972 148.1544 ±250 m [label “EP 958 719” (= 55G 595800 5371900, AGD66)], 320 m a.s.l., 6 July 1988, R. Mesibov, QVM 23:54371; 1 male, same locality and collector but -41.7964 48.1592 ±250 m [label “EP 962 720” (= 55G 596200 5372000, AGD66)], 350 m a.s.l., 18 July 1988, R. Mesibov, QVM 23:54373.

22 males, 4 probable females from 16 unique localities; details in Suppl. material 1.

Coxite process of the anterior gonopod divided by narrow fossae apically and anterobasally; legs 6, 7, 10 and 11 with elongated coxae.

Mature males observed with (48+4) rings, 2.6 mm midbody diameter to (71+1) rings, 3.2 mm. Cardo deeper posteriorly than anteriorly (Fig. 4A; ce). Legs 6, 7, 10 and 11 with elongated coxae, swollen distomedially (Fig. 2C); leg 7 coxa longest and most swollen. Prefemoral pad ca 3/4 femur length. Striae on posterior metazonites reaching ca 1/2 ozopore height.

Coxite process on anterior gonopod (Fig. 6A; cxp) with basal portion divided anteriorly by fossa (Fig. 6A; fo) into lateral and medial longitudinal flanges, the medial flange with deep, V-shaped notch at ca 1/2 coxite height on anterior margin; process divided apically by shallow fossa (Fig. 6A; fo) separating distolateral and distomedial margins; process not reaching level of telopodite apex. Telopodite (Fig. 6A; te) with row of minute setae on posterior side of medial thickening, behind pseudoflagellum (Fig. 6A; ps). Pseudoflagellum ca 1/2 telopodite width at base, truncate at ca 1/2 pseudoflagellum height, extending anterodistally from anterior corner of truncate basal portion as thin, flexible ribbon, the latter usually curving laterally over telopodite apex in preserved specimens.

Figure 6. 

Right anterior gonopod, medial view of distal portion of telopodite (left) and lateral view of distal portion of coxite process (right); fo = fossa, cxp = coxite process, fl = posterobasal flange on telopodite, pg = prostatic groove, ps = pseudoflagellum, t = folded-over tab on coxite process, te = telopodite. Scale bars = 1 mm; dotted line indicates course of prostatic groove. A Amastigogonus danpicola sp. n., ex QVM 23:54378 B A. elephas sp. n., paratype, QVM 23:54369 C A. fossuliger Verhoeff, 1944, QVM 23:54406 D A. hardyi (Chamberlin, 1920), TMAG J5987 E A. hellyeri sp. n., paratype ex QVM 23:54515 F A. michaelsae sp. n., QVM 23:54387.

Eucalypt forest over ca 1000 km² on the East Coast of Tasmania, mainly in the Apsley, Douglas, St Pauls and Swan River catchments (Fig. 7C), from near sea level to at least 600 m. Possibly parapatric with A. elephas sp. n. in the upper St Pauls River catchment and with A. michaelsae sp. n. near Swansea. Sympatric with A. fossuliger and with A. orientalis sp. n.

Figure 7. 

Known localities as of 14 July 2016 for Tasmanian Iulomorphidae; Mercator projections with approximate distance scale. A Amastigogonus orientalis sp. n. (open circles), A. peninsulensis sp. n. (stars), A. tasmanianus Brölemann, 1913 (triangles), A. verreauxii (Gervais, 1847) (squares) B Amastigogonus fossuliger Verhoeff, 1944 (squares), A. hardyi (Chamberlin, 1920) (triangles), A. hellyeri sp. n. (stars) C Amastigogonus danpicola sp. n. (squares), A. elephas sp. n. (stars), A. michaelsae sp. n. (triangles) D Atelomastix bonhami sp. n. (triangles), A. smithi sp. n. (stars), Equestrigonus tasmaniensis gen. n., sp. n. (squares).

Abbreviation in lower case “danp” for Douglas-Apsley National Park plus Latin cola, inhabitant; noun in apposition. This species is abundant in the Park, which also contains the type locality.

A. danpicola sp. n. is the most apomorphic species within the group included here in Amastigogonus. I place it in this genus because the structure and position of the pseudoflagellum and its supporting setae conform to the general pattern seen in the other Amastigogonus species.

Male, Mt Elephant, Tas, -41.6338 148.2421 ±25 m, 420 m a.s.l., 13 May 2016, R. Mesibov, QVM 23:54519.

3 males , 3 females, details as for holotype, QVM 23:54520; 1 male, same locality but -41.6244 148.2425 ±250 m [label “FP 034 910” (= 55G 603400 5391000, AGD66)], 19 January 2002, R. Mesibov and T. Moule, QVM 23:54369.

6 males from 5 unique localities; details in Suppl. material 1.

Like A. verreauxii in having a telopodite with a subquadrate extension of the posterobasal margin and a posteriorly curving pseudoflagellum; distinguished from A. verreauxii in the pseudoflagellum having a small, tooth-like, distally directed extension basal to the posterobasally directed tip.

Mature males observed with (47+3) rings, 3.2 mm midbody diameter to (69+0) rings, 3.6 mm. Cardo not deeper posteriorly. Leg 7 (only) with elongated coxa. Prefemoral pad ca 1/2 femur length. Striae on posterior metazonites reaching ca 3/4 of ozopore height.

Coxite process on anterior gonopod (Fig. 6B) with small portion of posterodistal margin extended as rounded tab (Fig. 6B; t), sharply folded over laterally; process nearly reaching level of telopodite apex. Telopodite with posterobasal surface produced posteriorly as subquadrate flange (Fig. 6B; fl) and with single row of prominent setae on posterior side of medial thickening. Pseudoflagellum with small rounded swelling adjoining base posteromedially; arising at 1/3–1/2 telopodite height, ca 2/3 width of telopodite at base, slightly curving posteriorly, slightly expanded posteriorly at 1/3–1/2 pseudoflagellum height, apically with small, rounded, distally directed, tooth-like extension, the prostatic groove opening on posterobasally directed pseudoflagellum tip.

Eucalypt forest at the eastern end of the Fingal Valley on the Tasmanian East Coast (Fig. 7C), to at least 700 m elevation. The small range of this species is home to other locally endemic invertebrates, including the millipede Tasmaniosoma nicolaus Mesibov, 2015 and the onychophoran Tasmanipatus anophthalmus Ruhberg, Mesibov, Briscoe & Tait, 1991. A. elephas sp. n. may be parapatric with A. danpicola sp. n. in the upper St Pauls River catchment.

Latin elephas, elephant; noun in apposition. For the type locality, Mt Elephant.

The anterior gonopod of A. elephas sp. n. (Fig. 6B) is similar to that of A. verreauxii (Fig. 8D). The wide disjunction in the species ranges (more than 100 km) and the remarkable consistency of form in the anterior gonopod of A. verreauxii (across a linear range extent of ca 400 km) suggests that the two lineages have long been separated.

Figure 8. 

Right anterior gonopod, medial view of distal portion of telopodite (left) and lateral view of distal portion of coxite process (right); cxp = coxite process, fl = posterobasal flange on telopodite, pg = prostatic groove, ps = pseudoflagellum, t = folded-over tab on coxite process, te = telopodite. Scale bars = 1 mm; dotted line indicates course of prostatic groove. A Amastigogonus orientalis sp. n., paratype ex QVM 23:54401 B A. peninsulensis sp. n., QVM 23:54474 C A. tasmanianus Brölemann, 1913, ex QVM 23:54469 D A. verreauxii (Gervais, 1847), TMAG J5915.

At least 1 male and 1 female, Lake Leake, Tasmania, date and collector unknown (see Remarks, below), specimens not located.

130 males and 12 females from 66 unique localities; details in Suppl. material 1.

Coxite process of anterior gonopod with posterodistal margin not extended; pseudoflagellum with dense field of short setae on telopodite behind pseudoflagellum tip; pseudoflagellum with distinct shoulder, the prostatic groove making an S-bend before entering the abruptly tapered tip of the pseudoflagellum.

Live males and females with more or less greenish-grey rings (Fig. 1A, C). Mature males observed with (39+4) rings, 2.1 mm midbody diameter to (63+1) rings, 3.6 mm. Cardo not deeper posteriorly (Fig. 4B). Leg 7 (only) with elongated coxa (Fig. 2A, C). Prefemoral pad ca 3/4 or more femur length (Fig. 5B). Striae on posterior metazonites reaching ca 2/3-3/4 of ozopore height.

Coxite process on anterior gonopod (Fig. 6C) with posterodistal margin not extended and folded over laterally. Telopodite with single row of prominent setae on posterior side of medial thickening to near telopodite apex, the thickening then widening and bearing dense brush of numerous minute setae. Pseudoflagellum ca 1/2 width of telopodite at base, tapering abruptly at ca 1/2 pseudoflagellum height to narrow, sharply pointed tip with rounded shoulder on anterior side of tapered section (Fig. 3C; ps), sometimes with small, tooth-like, anterodistal extension on shoulder; prostatic groove (Fig. 3C; pg) making S-bend from anterior side of pseudoflagellum into tapered tip.

Widespread in the eastern half of Tasmania (Fig. 7B) in dry and wet eucalypt forest from near sea level to at least 1050 m, extending across the Central Plateau to the Cradle Mountain area. Parapatric with A. hellyeri sp. n. along the Mersey Break, a well-documented faunal divide for millipedes in north central Tasmania (Mesibov 1999). Co-occurs with A. tasmanianus in northeast Tasmania. Overlaps with A. verreauxii on the Central Plateau and possibly in southern Tasmania, and to a small extent with A. danpicola sp. n. southeast of the Fingal Valley. The far southern record on the distribution map (Fig. 7B) is for two A. fossuliger males found on the verandah of a house at Francistown, and may represent an accidental translocation rather than a natural occurrence.

At least one male and one female of this species from the Lake Leake area were probably sent to Verhoeff by George Edward Nicholls, a Western Australian biologist who collected in Tasmania in 1928, 1929 and 1939 (Nicholls 1943). Verhoeff (1936: 14) had previously thanked Nicholls for providing specimens of an unrelated millipede species from Lake Leake.

I have trouble understanding the differences in the two anterior gonopods illustrated by Verhoeff (1944), both presumably from Lake Leake specimens and possibly from the same male. Verhoeff’s fig. 6 shows a right gonopod tip in posterior view, fig. 7 a left gonopod tip in medial view. The thread-like pseudoflagellum in fig. 6 has a tooth-like extension on the shoulder and an intact posterobasal margin, while the shorter, tapered pseudoflagellum in fig. 7 has no tooth-like extension and a notched posterobasal margin. The remarkable thinness and fragility of the A. fossuliger pseudoflagellum may be the explanation for Verhoeff’s difficulties in seeing and drawing these features. My Fig. 6C is based on a male from near the type locality, while the image in Fig. 3C is of a male from Ansons Bay, ca 100 km to the north. The only significant difference is the absence of a tooth-like extension in the latter.

A. fossuliger is more consistently and more obviously green than other Amastigogonus species, but the green colour varies in intensity from individual to individual.

Male, Tasmania, date unknown, G.H. Hardy, MCZ 4817. Illustrated by Hoffman (1972); not examined.

At least 1 female, details as for holotype, MCZ 4818. Not examined.

(here designated). Male (slide mount of gonopods), Mt Nelson, Tasmania, date and collector unknown, ZMB 12642a (= Verhoeff collection slide 3777). Illustrated by Verhoeff (1944); material examined as image.

1 female, same collection details, ZMB 12642; not examined. Verhoeff (1944: 44) describes a second male specimen, but this has not been located; this male is another paralectotype.

3 males and 3 females from 2 unique localities; details in Suppl. material 1.

Like A. fossuliger in having the pseudoflagellum with a narrow, tapering, pointed tip; distinguished by the prostatic groove following a straight course on the pseudoflagellum rather than having an S-bend, and by the lack of a dense field of short setae on the telopodite behind the pseudoflagellum tip.

Three mature males examined: (52+3) rings, 2.8 mm midbody diameter, (61+1) rings, 3.1 mm and (65+1) rings, 3.2 mm. Cardo not deeper posteriorly. Leg 7 (only) with elongated coxa. Prefemoral pad ca 1/2 femur length. Striae on posterior metazonites reaching ca 1/2 of ozopore height (Fig. 5C).

Coxite process on anterior gonopod (Fig. 6D) with small portion of posterodistal margin extended as rounded tab and folded over laterally. Telopodite with single row of prominent setae on posterior side of medial thickening and short row on anterior side near apex. Pseudoflagellum ca 1/2 telopodite width at base, slightly extended posteriorly at base, then gradually tapering to sharp, posterodistally directed point.

Currently known only from eucalypt forest at two sites in the Hobart metropolitan area (Fig. 7B) in Tasmania: Mt Nelson (including 1973 collections at this type locality for A. nichollsii) and Mt Rumney.

The types of E. hardyi were collected by the entomologist George H. H. Hardy, probably during Hardy’s tenure as Assistant Curator of the Tasmanian Museum in Hobart, 1913-1917 (Marks 1991: 216). Hoffman (1972) examined and illustrated the E. hardyi holotype and assigned the species to Amastigogonus. The locality given for the types is simply “Tasmania” (Hoffman 1972: 204). Chamberlin (1920: 166-167) did not specify the number or gender of the E. hardyi paratypes.

Two males and one female of A. nichollsii were presumably sent to Verhoeff by G.E. Nicholls, collector of the A. fossuliger types. Hoffman (1972) synonymised A. nichollsii with A. hardyi after comparing Verhoeff’s drawings of slide-mounted nichollsii gonopods with the unmounted gonopods of the hardyi holotype. After examining males from the nichollsii type locality, Mt Nelson (TMAG J5897 and J5926), I agree with Hoffman that nichollsii is a junior synonym of hardyi.

Male, Keddies Creek area, Tas, -41.1704 146.0545 ±25 m, 60 m a.s.l., 7 May 2016, R. Mesibov, QVM 23:54471.

1 male, details as for holotype, QVM 23:54472; 2 males, same locality and collector but -41.1672 146.0569 ±250 m, 50-120 m a.s.l., 11 May 2016, tree trunks along Dial Road at night, QVM 23:54515.

142 males and 10 females from 26 unique localities; details in Suppl. material 1.

Like A. orientalis sp. n. in having a broad pseudoflagellum abruptly reduced apically; distinguished by having a smoothly curving rather than a subquadrate extension of the posterobasal telopodite margin, with a notch anteriorly at the base of the reduced pseudoflagellum tip and the tip relatively long and curving laterally or medially.

Mature males observed with (40+4) rings, 2.5 mm midbody diameter to (63+1) rings, 3.9 mm. Cardo not deeper posteriorly. Leg 7 with elongated coxa, legs 10 and 11 with less elongated coxae. Prefemoral pad ca 1/2 femur length. Striae on posterior metazonites reaching ca 3/4 of ozopore height.

Coxite process on anterior gonopod (Fig. 6E) with posterodistal margin extended as rounded tab and sharply folded over laterally. Telopodite with single row of prominent setae on posterior side of medial thickening. Pseudoflagellum ca 2/3 telopodite width at base, posterior margin sometimes sinuous in transverse plane; abruptly narrowing apically with a shallow notch dividing the apex into small, rounded, anterior tooth and short, thinly laminar, acutely pointed extension, the latter usually folded over laterally and carrying the prostatic groove to its pointed tip.

Eucalypt forest and cool temperate rainforest in northwest Tasmania (Fig. 7B), from near sea level to at least 760 m. Meets A. fossuliger parapatrically along the Mersey Break (Mesibov 1999) and overlaps to a small extent in far northwest Tasmania with A. verreauxii.

For Henry Hellyer (1790-1832), explorer of northwest Tasmania; noun in the genitive case.

The tip of the pseudoflagellum in preserved males is often bent laterally into the space between the pseudoflagellum and the rest of the telopodite, as shown in Fig. 6E. In other specimens it may be bent medially towards the coxite tip, or extend past the tip of the telopodite. This species otherwise varies little across its range.

Male, Douglas Creek, Tas, -42.5139 147.7767 ±100 m [label “EN 637 927” (= 55G 563700 5292700, AGD66)], 210 m a.s.l., 24 April 1991, R. Mesibov, QVM 23:54374; dissected, with head and anterior rings in genitalia vial.

2 males, Montgomery Road, Tas, -42.6863 147.7111 ±50 m, 330 m a.s.l., 21 June 2016, R. Mesibov, QVM 23:54548.

11 males and 1 probable female from 8 unique localities; details in Suppl. material 1.

Like A. peninsulensis sp. n. in having a relatively broad, gently tapering pseudoflagellum; distinguished by the pseudoflagellum tip directed distally rather than posteriorly and with a prominent, posterodistally directed tooth basally on the posterior margin.

Mature males observed with (55+1) rings, 3.3 mm midbody diameter to (66+1) rings, 3.4 mm. Cardo not deeper posteriorly. Leg 7 (only) with elongated coxa. Prefemoral pad ca 3/4 femur length. Striae on posterior metazonites reaching 3/4 ozopore height.

Coxite process on anterior gonopod (Fig. 6F) with posterodistal margin not extended and folded over. Telopodite without pronounced medial thickening, but with usual row of setae from near posterior margin to midline at telopodite apex, continued basally as group of sparse setae (not shown in Fig. 6F) behind tip of pseudoflagellum. Pseudoflagellum ca 1/3 telopodite width at base, curving slightly posteriorly and tapering gradually to rounded, posteriorly directed apex, and with short, sharp, posterodistally directed tooth at ca 1/4 pseudoflagellum height on posterior margin.

Eucalypt forest in southeast Tasmania from Coles Bay south to the Nugent area, including Maria Island (Fig. 7C), from sea level to at least 590 m. Possibly parapatric with A. danpicola sp. n. near Swansea, parapatric or overlapping with A. orientalis sp. n. west of Triabunna.

For the ecologist Karyl Michaels, who trapped specimens in the previously little-sampled dry forests of southeast Tasmania; noun in the genitive case.

Most of the non-type males are partial or fragmented specimens.

Male, Maclaines Creek, Tas, -42.4628 147.8564 ±100 m [label “EN 703 983” (= 55G 570300 5298300, AGD66)], 260 m a.s.l., 26 April 1991, R. Mesibov, QVM 23:54523 (in 2 pieces).

2 males, details as for holotype, QVM 23:54401.

14 males and 3 probable females from 14 unique localities; details in Suppl. material 1.

Like A. hellyeri sp. n. in having a broad pseudoflagellum abruptly narrowed apically; distinguished by having a subquadrate extension of the posterobasal telopodite margin, with the prostatic groove opening on a very short tooth-like extension of the reduced pseudoflagellum tip, rather than on a relatively long, flexible extension.

Mature males observed with (43+3) rings, 2.6 mm midbody diameter to (67+0) rings, 4.2 mm. Cardo not deeper posteriorly. Leg 7 (only) with elongated coxa. Prefemoral pad ca 1/2 femur length. Striae on posterior metazonites reaching 3/4 ozopore height.

Coxite process on anterior gonopod (Fig. 8A) with posterodistal margin substantially extended as rounded tab and folded over laterally to ca 1/2 process width. Telopodite with posterobasal surface produced posteriorly as large rounded flange (Fig. 8A; fl) and with single row of prominent setae on posterior side of medial thickening. Pseudoflagellum ca 1/2 width of telopodite at base, expanded slightly posteriorly, tapering gradually before expanding distally in wedge shape, often curving laterally, with very short pointed extension at middle of distal margin; prostatic groove making S-bend from anterior side of pseudoflagellum into tip, terminating in pointed extension. Posterior margin of pseudoflagellum sometimes sinuous in transverse plane.

Eucalypt forest over ca 100 km linear extent in the Eastern Tiers of Tasmania (Fig. 7A) from ca 150 to at least 600 m elevation; the disjunction in the distribution map is likely to be a sampling artefact. Possibly parapatric with A. elephas sp. n. near Gray; overlapping to a small extent with A. danpicola sp. n. in the Douglas-Apsley National Park and with A. fossuliger northwest of Triabunna; parapatric or overlapping with A. michaelsae sp. n. in the southern Eastern Tiers.

Latin orientalis, eastern; adjective. This species is restricted to the East Coast region of Tasmania.

Male, Coal Mine Hill, Tas, -42.9852 147.7113 ±25 m, 40 m a.s.l., 20 June 2016, R. Mesibov, QVM 23:54544.

13 males and 5 females, details as for holotype, QVM 23:54545.

3 males and 1 female from 3 unique localities; details in Suppl. material 1.

Like A. michaelsae sp. n. in having a relatively broad, gently tapering pseudoflagellum, but with the tip directed distally and without a prominent tooth on the posterior margin.

Mature males observed with (40+3) rings, 1.8 mm midbody diameter to (60+1) rings, 2.5 mm. Cardo not deeper posteriorly. Leg 7 (only) with elongated coxa. Prefemoral pad ca 3/4 femur length. Striae on posterior metazonites reaching 1/2 ozopore height.

Coxite process on anterior gonopod (Fig. 8B) with very small portion of posterodistal margin slightly extended as rounded tab, bent laterally rather than folded over. Telopodite with single row of prominent setae on posterior side of medial thickening and shorter row of similarly prominent setae on anterior side. Pseudoflagellum ca 1/2 width of telopodite at base, posterior margin a little expanded at 1/3-1/2 pseudoflagellum height, apex acuminate and directed posteriorly.

Eucalypt forest on Forestier and Tasman Peninsulas (Fig. 7A) in Tasmania, from near sea level to at least 260 m.

For the Tasman Peninsula, type locality of this species; adjective.

(here designated). Male, Tasmania, date and collector unknown, AM KS.125304 (ex KS.37403). Intact specimen in 12 mm glass vial in 80% alcohol with original label “Amastigogonus / tasmanianus m. / (H.W.B.)”.

Collection details as for lectotype, AM KS.37403. 1 female and parts of 2 dissected males: last 23 podous rings + apodous rings + telson, midbody 31 rings, head capsule + collum, and ring 7 (gonopods missing) and following 2 podous rings. Also 8 small filter-paper envelopes containing cleared body parts illustrated by Brölemann (1913). In 25 mm glass vial with original label “Amastigogonus / tasmanianus m. / (H.W.B.)”.

92 males, 1 probable female and 1 possible juvenile from 8 unique localities; details in Suppl. material 1.

Distinguished from all other Amastigogonus species by having a long, gradually tapering, narrowly ribbon-like pseudoflagellum.

Mature males observed with (46+2) rings, midbody diameter 2.5 mm to (67+1) rings, 3.4 mm. Cardo not deeper posteriorly. Leg 7 (only) with elongated coxa. Prefemoral pad 1/3-1/2 femur length (Fig. 5A). Striae on posterior metazonites reaching ca 1/2 of ozopore height.

Coxite process on anterior gonopod (Fig. 8C) with posterodistal margin not extended and folded over. Telopodite with single row of prominent setae on posterior and anterior sides of medial thickening. Pseudoflagellum arising at 1/3-1/2 telopodite height, ca 1/2 width of telopodite at base, ribbon-like, curving sinuously first posterodistally, then anterodistally, tapering abruptly to sharp point (ribbon-like apex of pseudoflagellum shown edge-on in Fig. 8C).

Eucalypt forest and cool temperate rainforest at scattered locations in northeast Tasmania (Fig. 7A), from ca 100 m elevation to at least 1000 m. Co-occurs with A. fossuliger.

The types were in excellent condition when examined in 2016. Because it is not possible to decide which of the two dissected male syntypes (or both) was illustrated by Brölemann, I am unable to follow Recommendation 74B (Preference for illustrated specimen) of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature in choosing a lectotype, and instead have selected the intact male syntype. The lectotype is the third of the three males listed by Brölemann (1913: 154): “length 44 m/m; diameter 2.80 m/m; 56 segments; three segments apodous; 99 pair of legs”.

I suspect that the type locality is the Launceston area, and the QVM male illustrated in Figs 3F, 4F and 5A is from Mowbray in Launceston.

Male, “De la Nouvelle-Hollande, sur le penchant du mont Wellington, par M. Jules Verreaux” (Gervais 1847: 175), MNHN GA031. Described and illustrated by Mauriès et al. (2001), specimen not re-examined.

360 males, 100 probable females and 34 possible juveniles from 111 unique localities; details in Suppl. material 1.

Like A. elephas sp. n. in having a telopodite with a subquadrate extension of the posterobasal margin and a posteriorly curving pseudoflagellum; distinguished from A. elephas sp. n. in the pseudoflagellum lacking a small, tooth-like, distally directed extension on the tip.

Mature males observed with (38+4) rings, midbody diameter 2.2 mm to (55+1) rings, 3.2 mm in single 1-month pitfall sample, QVM 23:54197. Cardo not deeper posteriorly. Leg 7 (only) with elongated coxa. Prefemoral pad ca 3/4 femur length. Striae on posterior metazonites reaching ca 3/4 of ozopore height.

Coxite process on anterior gonopod (Fig. 8D) with small portion of posterodistal margin extended as rounded tab, sharply folded over laterally. Telopodite with posterobasal surface produced posteriorly as subquadrate flange (Fig. 8D; fl) and with single row of prominent setae on posterior side of medial thickening, on anterior side of thickening continued to telopodite apex as short row of more closely spaced setae (not shown in Fig. 8D). Pseudoflagellum arising at ca 2/3 telopodite height, ca 1/2 width of telopodite at base, curving posterodistally, the apex narrowing to truncate, posterobasally directed tip.

Widespread in forested and some non-forested habitats in western and southern Tasmania and on the Central Plateau (Fig. 7A) from sea level to at least 1260 m; also found on Hunter Island in the Hunter Group in western Bass Strait. Overlaps (with some parapatry?) with A. hellyeri sp. n. in northwest Tasmania, and with A. fossuliger on the Central Plateau and possibly in far southern Tasmania (see distribution notes for A. fossuliger).

Gervais (1847) described Iulus Verreauxii from material in the Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle in Paris. A presumed holotype was still in the Muséum more than 150 years later and was redescribed and illustrated by Mauriès, Golovatch and Hoffman (2001), who assigned the species to Amastigogonus. The type material had probably been collected on Mt Wellington by the naturalist Jules Pierre Verreaux ca 1843 during his residency in Tasmania (Maiden 1910: 153).

Mauriès, Golovatch and Hoffman (2001: 585) refer to a “very faint axial line” on the promentum of the A. verreauxii holotype. The line appears to be an artefact of long preservation, as I have not observed it in any A. verreauxii specimens.

A. verreauxii varies remarkably little in size or gonopod details over its large range.

Atelomastix albanyensis Attems, 1911, by subsequent designation.

A. albanyensis Attems, 1911, A. anancita Edward & Harvey, 2010, A. attemsi Edward & Harvey, 2010, A. bamfordi Edward & Harvey, 2010, A. bonhami sp. n., A. brennani Edward & Harvey, 2010, A. culleni Edward & Harvey, 2010, A. danksi Edward & Harvey, 2010, A. dendritica Edward & Harvey, 2010, A. ellenae Edward & Harvey, 2010, A. flavognatha Edward & Harvey, 2010, A. francesae Edward & Harvey, 2010, A. gibsoni Edward & Harvey, 2010, A. grandis Edward & Harvey, 2010, A. julianneae Edward & Harvey, 2010, A. lengae Edward & Harvey, 2010, A. longbottomi Edward & Harvey, 2010, A. mainae Edward & Harvey, 2010, A. melindae Edward & Harvey, 2010, A. montana Edward & Harvey, 2010, A. nigrescens Attems, 1911, A. poustiei Edward & Harvey, 2010, A. priona Edward & Harvey, 2010, A. psittacina Edward & Harvey, 2010, A. rubricephala Edward & Harvey, 2010, A. sarahae Edward & Harvey, 2010, A. smithi sp. n., A. solitaria Jeekel, 2009, A. tigrina Edward & Harvey, 2010, A. tumula Edward & Harvey, 2010.

Male, White Spur, Tas, -42.7764 146.0369 ±100 m [label “DN 211 634” (= 55G 421100 5263400, AGD66)], 320 m a.s.l., 2 February 1994, R. Mesibov, QVM 23:54460.

1 male, 1 female, details as for holotype, QVM 23:54176.

7 males, 5 females and 5 juveniles from 7 unique localities in Tasmania; details in Suppl. material 1.

Most similar to A. gibsoni Edward & Harvey, 2010 from the Ravensthorpe Ranges in Western Australia; both species have a wedge-shaped sclerite “b” and a non-bifurcate sclerite “c”. Differences between A. bonhami/A. gibsoni: rounded tab present under sclerite “a” near pseudoflagellum/no tab; anterior corner of distal margin of sclerite “b” higher than posterior corner/anterior corner lower than posterior corner; sclerite “c” taller than sclerite “b”/ sclerite “c” shorter than sclerite “b”.

Atelomastix as a genus has been well characterised by Edward and Harvey (2010), who described or redescribed 27 species from Western Australia. A. bonhami sp. n. fits the genus description and only key details are noted here.

Colour in alcohol variable, dark blueish grey to dark brown anteriorly on metazonites, pale posteriorly; some specimens largely brown. Ocelli 30-40 in 4-5 horizontal rows. Mature males with (37+5) rings, 2.0 mm midbody diameter to (60+1) rings, 2.3 mm. Longitudinal striae on metazonites meeting suture almost at right angle. Female substantially more robust than male with similar ring number, e.g. male with (51+1) rings, midbody diameter 2.2 mm vs female with (52+1) rings, midbody diameter 2.8 mm, both in QVM 23:54140.

Male gonopod aperture with sides slightly raised (Fig. 9A). Anterior gonopods nearly touching along midline. Sclerite “a” (Fig. 10A) curving posteriorly with pseudoflagellum (Fig. 10A; ps) arising at ca 3/4 gonopod height, extending posteriorly and slightly distally and gradually tapering to rounded apex; a thin, rounded tab (Fig. 10A; t) arising just distal to pseudoflagellum origin along sclerite midline. Sclerite “b” arising medially at ca 1/3 gonopod height, ca 3x as wide distally as at origin, thickly lamellar with distal half slightly bent medially, the distal margin with rounded anterior corner, sloping posterobasally with small, rounded notch at posterior corner; a double row of small, short setae near distal margin. Sclerite “c” more or less cylindrical basally, the apex curving slightly anteriorly and spatulate, the concave surface facing anterolaterally; a few long setae on anterior surface of sclerite at level of sclerite “b” distal margin.

Figure 9. 

Atelomastix bonhami sp. n., males. A Left lateral view showing partly everted gonopods; QVM 23:54175 B Ventral view of partly dissected specimen showing legpair 1 in situ; at = anterior tab on prefemur; QVM 23:54174 C Left lateral view of telson; QVM 23:54140. Scale bars: A, C = 1.0 mm, B = 0.5 mm.

Figure 10. 

A, C, D Atelomastix bonhami sp. n., male, QVM 23:54174 B A. smithi, sp. n., male paratype, QVM 23:24959 A, B Left anterior gonopod, medial view; ps = pseudoflagellum, t = process “a” tab; dotted line indicates prostatic groove C Posterior gonopods, posterior view D Left leg 1, anterior view; at = anterior tab on prefemur. Scale bars = 0.25 mm.

Posterior gonopods (Fig. 10C) appressed basally along midline, 1/3-1/2 anterior gonopod height. Each posterior gonopod basally conical, tapering and with anterolateral extension; extension slightly flattened with a few long, mediodistally directed setae near base of extension on posteromedial surface and a few short setae at ca 1/2 gonopod height on medial surface.

Leg 1 (Fig. 10D) with prefemur wider than long, slightly tapering, with triangular tab (Figs 9B, 10D; at) on anteromedial surface of prefemur; relative lengths of podomeres femur>prefemur>tarsus>postfemur>tibia; tarsus distally excavate on anteromedial surface; prefemur, femur and postfemur with a few small setae laterally. Legpair 1 clearly separated on coxosternite, the latter with a field of long setae anterolateral to each prefemur.

Posterolateral margin of preanal ring meets epiproct margin at obtuse angle, making anal valves appear more prominent in lateral view than in other Tasmanian Iulomorphidae (Fig. 9C).

Known from wet forest, rainforest and scrub over ca 1500 km² in southwest Tasmania at elevations ca 300-1100 m (Fig. 7D).

For Kevin Bonham, Tasmanian malacologist and diligent millipede hunter, who collected this species at two remote sites in 2016; noun in the genitive case.

The posterior gonopod of A. bonhami sp. n. is similar to that of A. nigrescens as illustrated in figs 13, 14 and 118 of Edward and Harvey (2010), and leg 1 of A. bonhami sp. n. closely resembles leg 1 of A. solitaria as illustrated in fig. 2 of Jeekel (2009).

Jeekel (2009: figs 3, 4) does not show the A. solitaria anterior gonopod in lateral view, so the shapes of the sclerites are unclear. From Jeekel’s description of A. solitaria and his fig. 4, it appears that sclerite “c” is sharply bent with an acuminate apex, unlike the smoothly curving, apically rounded sclerite “c” of A. bonhami sp. n. and the following species, and is shorter than “b”, rather than longer as in A. bonhami sp. n. and the following species.

Male, Ooze Lake, Tas, -43.5003 146.7019 ±100 m [label “DM 758 834” (= 55G 475800 5183400, AGD66)], 870 m a.s.l., 16 February 1988, S.J. Smith, QVM 23:54179; dissected.

2 males and 1 juvenile, details as for holotype, QVM 23:54484; 1 male, Promontory Lake, Tas, -43.1667 146.3653 ±1 km [label “DN 483 203” (= 55G 448300 5220300, AGD66)], 25 February 2004, P. Sugden, QVM 23:24959.

None.

Readily distinguished from the otherwise similar A. bonhami sp. n. by the pseudoflagellum curving distally; this difference can be seen in undissected males.

As for A. bonhami sp. n., but the two known males with 40-50 ocelli in 5-6 horizontal rows; holotype with (54+0) rings, 2.2 mm midbody diameter, paratype with (47+1) rings, 2.1 mm. Females (QVM 23:54484) more robust than males: (42+1) and (47+0) rings, both 2.5 mm in midbody diameter.

Anterior gonopod (Fig. 10B) with sclerite “a” bending posteriorly near bluntly rounded, thickened apex; pseudoflagellum (Fig. 10B; ps) arising at ca 3/4 gonopod height, curving smoothly distally, bending medially and terminating just beneath sclerite “a” apex; a longitudinally divided, thickened tab (Fig. 10B; t) arising just distal to pseudoflagellum origin along sclerite “a” midline. Sclerite “b” arising medially at ca 1/3 gonopod height, ca 2x as wide distally as at origin, thickly lamellar, the distal margin with rounded corners, sloping anterobasally; a double row of small, short setae near distal margin. Sclerite “c” more or less cylindrical, slightly tapered, apex thickened with shallow notch on anterior surface; a few long setae on anterior surface of sclerite at level of sclerite “b” apex.

Known from two localities ca 45 km apart at ca 900 m elevation, south and west of the known range of A. bonhami sp. n. in southwest Tasmania (Fig. 7D). A. smithi sp. n. is likely to be more widely distributed in this little-sampled wilderness area.

For Steven J. Smith, first collector of this species and formerly a senior zoologist with the Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service; noun in the genitive case.

Like Amastigogonus and Victoriocambala Verhoeff, 1944 in having greatly reduced posterior gonopods with a single lateral process, and relatively simple, two-branched anterior gonopods with the prostatic groove entering a pseudoflagellum on the telopodite. Distinguished from the other two genera by the form of the anterior gonopods (Figs 11A, 13A): coxite process a bluntly pointed rod, longer than telopodite; telopodite slender with a distal, spreading crown of setae. Distinguished from all other Tasmanian Iulomorphidae by the posteroventral extension of the cardo (Fig. 12B; ce) in males.

Figure 11. 

Equestrigonus tasmaniensis gen. n., sp. n. A Gonopod aperture (a) of male paratype QVM 23:11638, left ventrolateral view, showing protruding tips of anterior gonopods. cx = right coxite tip (“prick spur”), te = right telopodite tip (“rowel spur”), ps = pseudoflagellumB Male holotype QVM 23:54173, habitus. Scale bars: A = 0.2 mm, B = 5 mm.

Figure 12. 

Equestrigonus tasmaniensis gen. n., sp. n. A Living animals before preservation in QVM 23:54467 B–F male paratype ex QVM 23:54094 B Head, left lateral view, showing ventral projection (ce) of cardo. C Dissection with head removed, ventral view, showing leg 1 complex and legs 2 in situ. all = anterolateral extension of leg 1 coxosternite, at = anterior tab of leg 1 prefemur, ct = coxal tab of leg 2D Dissected leg 1 complex, posteroventral view; sf = field of setaeE Gnathochilarium, ventral view; gs = gnathochilarial stipes, lp = lingual plate, me = mentum, pm = promentum, sp = pit on gnathochilarial stipesF Right leg 2, right posterolateral view (left leg removed for clarity); pe = left leg penis. Scale bars: A = 10 mm, B = 1.0 mm; C–F = 0.5 mm.

Figure 13. 

Equestrigonus tasmaniensis gen. n., sp. n., QVM 23:54467. A Anterior and slightly medial view of left anterior gonopod; cx = coxite, pr = small process on coxite, te = telopodite, dotted line indicates prostatic groove ending on pseudoflagellum (ps) B Posterior view of posterior gonopods. Scale bars: A = 0.5 mm, B = 0.25 mm.

Equestrigonus tasmaniensis sp. n., by present designation.

From Latin equestris, genitive singular of equester, pertaining to horse-riding, plus -gonus, a suffix commonly used in millipede names, referring to the gonopods; masculine gender. The tips of the anterior gonopod of the type species (Fig. 11A) resemble the ends of prick and rowel spurs.

Male, Sideling Range, Tas, -41.2358 147.4131 ±100 m [label “EQ 345 348” (= 55G 534500 5434800, AGD66)], 550 m a.s.l., 7 July 1993, T. Kingston, QVM 23:54173 (ex 23:11638).

3 males, Sideling Range, Tas, -41.2303 147.4117 ±100 m [label “EQ 344 354” (= 55G 534400 5435400, AGD66)], 550 m a.s.l., 15 June 1992, T. Kingston and R. D’Orazio, QVM 23:12719; 6 males, same details but 13 September 1993, T. Kingston et al., QVM 23:54057; 6 males, same locality but -41.2411 147.4106 ±100 m [label “EQ 343 342” (= 55G 534300 5434200, AGD66)], 540 m a.s.l., 14 September 1993, T. Kingston et al., QVM 23:54094; 2 males, same locality but -41.2394 147.4083 ±100 m [label “EQ 341 344” (= 55G 534100 5434400, AGD66)], 500 m a.s.l., 14 September 1993, T. Kingston et al., QVM 23:54095; 1 male, details as for holotype, 23:11637; 1 male, details as for holotype, QVM 23:11638.

1013 males, 82 probable females and 12 possible juveniles from 68 unique localities in Tasmania; details in Suppl. material 1.

Living animals (Fig. 12A) have dark grey rings with annular pale band at rear of each metazonite; head, collum and last 1-2 rings before telson tinged with light brown; legs pale. With long storage in alcohol, ring colour fades to dark blue-grey, annular band darkens to light grey; often with brownish tinge on anterior rings; head and legs pale golden yellow (Fig. 11B).

Mature males (Fig. 11B) with (34+4) rings, 2.0 mm midbody diameter to (50+1) rings, 3.0 mm. Head (Fig. 12B) smooth, frons flattened, vertigial sulcus reaching to level of dorsalmost ocellar row. Posteroventral margin of cardo thickened and extended ventrally as large, rounded lobe (Fig. 12B; ce). Ocellar area narrow-triangular, triangle apex medial; ca 27 ocelli in 4 more or less regular horizontal rows, dorsal>ventral typically 9+8+6+4. Antennae short, barely reaching past posterior edge of collum when manipulated dorsally; relative antennomere lengths (2=3)>6>(4=5); antennomere 6 widest; 4 apical cones; socket ca 1 socket diameter from lateral margin of head capsule. Gnathochilarium (Fig. 12E) with lateral edges of mentum (Fig. 12E, me) slightly convex, mentum wider than combined lingual plates (Fig. 12E, lp); mentum-promentum (Fig. 12E, pm) junction nearly straight or slightly concave anteriorly; a prominent pit (Fig. 12E, sp) with small seta anteriorly on each gnathochilarial stipes (Fig. 12E, gs). Collum convex, laterally narrowing with rounded corner, margins straight. Ventral margin of ring 2 swollen posteriorly. Prozonites only slightly narrower than metazonites; prozonites with weakly defined annular striae anteriorly; suture weakly defined; fine longitudinal striae on lower half of metazonite, anterior end of each stria bent obliquely upwards towards suture; prozonites and metazonites with surface otherwise smooth, free of setae. Ozopores small, beginning ring 6, opening just above 1/2 ring height at ca 1/3 the distance between suture and posterior metazonite margin. Limbus lamellar, undivided. Preanal ring smooth, epiproct broadly rounded, extending slightly over anal valves; hypoproct with margin slightly convex dorsally. Midbody legs short, ca 2/3 ring diameter when extended; relative podomere lengths (prefemur=femur)>tarsus>(postfemur=tibia), claw ca 1/2 tarsus length. Prefemur distally with ventral flattening and conical prefemoral pad ca 1/2 femur length on midbody legs; pads first appear on ring 5 legs, diminish in posterior 1/3 of body and are greatly reduced or absent on last few legpairs.

Legpair 1 (Fig. 12C, D) separate on coxosternite, each leg 1 composed of broad basal and leg-like distal portion. Basal portion here assumed to be prefemur; widest at base, tapering medially, extending anterolaterally at base as large lobe (Fig. 12D; all) with a few distal setae; prefemur marked with several quasi-annular chitinous ridges and anteriorly bearing small field of coarse setae (Fig. 12D; sf), with large subquadrate tab (Fig. 12D; at) extending anteriorly. Distal portion with 3 well-demarcated podomeres, here assumed to be femur, postfemur and fused tibia+tarsus; femur widest, the tibia+tarsus narrowest and longest and with faint annular subdivision; all 3 podomeres sparsely and shortly setose; no claw.

Leg 2 (Fig. 12C, F) incrassate with large claw, prefemur reduced, coxa expanded anteriorly and distally with thick, tab-like apex (Figs 12C, F; ct); penis (Fig. 12F; pe) arising basally on posterior coxal surface, barrel-shaped with a few long setae in distal, marginal crown.

Coxae not elongated on near-aperture legs. Rear portion of gonopod aperture flat, not raised behind gonopods.

Anterior gonopods (Figs 11A, 13A) with coxite process (Figs 11A, 13A; cx) tapering to blunt spine extending further distally than telopodite (Figs 11A, 13A; te), and with short, spine-like process (Fig. 13A; pr) arising on anterior surface at level of pseudoflagellum on telopodite and directed distally. Telopodite tapering strongly, apex spatulate with spreading, marginal crown of ca 15 long, well-spaced setae; pseudoflagellum (Figs 11A, 13A; ps) branching off at ca 3/4 telopodite height on anterior surface, tapering to blunt tip and curving medially to terminate proximal to telopodite apex.

Posterior gonopods (Fig. 13B) ca 1/2 length of anterior gonopods, tapering from base, apex truncate distolaterally with apical crown of long setae; lateral process arising at ca 1/2 gonopod height, terminating at same level as body of gonopod, tip slightly expanded and flattened with convex distal margin.

Mature females (specimens in QVM 23:54050 and 23:54467) a little larger than males with same ring number; cardo not extended ventrally as in male.

Wet eucalypt forest and cool temperate rainforest in northern Tasmania (Fig. 7D), from 50 m to at least 900 m elevation; not yet collected south of 41°30’S latitude. Wanders on the forest floor and climbs tree trunks at night; shelters during the day in and under rotting logs and in leaf litter.

For the occurrence of this species in Tasmania; adjective.

The distinctive tips of the anterior gonopods invariably protrude from the gonopod aperture (Fig. 11A), allowing males of E. tasmaniensis gen. n., sp. n. to be recognised without dissection. Western Tasmanian males are generally a little larger in diameter than eastern males.