Brachoria platana Means, Hennen, Marek 2021, New Species

Brachoria platana Means, Hennen, Marek, New Species Vernacular Name: ‘The Carr Creek Mimic Millipede’ Figs. 5O,P and 11.

Material examined: Type specimens. ♂ holotype (VTEC MPE03250) and ♀ paratype (VTEC MPE03253) from Kentucky, Knott County, Carr Creek State Park, woods behind campground and around marina (37.23148°N, - 83.00081°W, Elev. 329 m), 27 September 2017, 15:00, dry litter of tulip poplar, sycamore, autumn olive (Coll: J. C. Means and D. A. Hennen). Material examined listed in Supp Table 2 (online only).

Diagnosis: Adult males of Brachoria platana n. sp. are distinct from other apheloriine species based on the following combination of characters: Gonopods. Gonopodal acropodite curving dorsomedially at apex, with a distal cingulum, separating it from Apheloria and Rudiloria (Fig. 11). Prefemoral process reduced to small ridge. Distal zone sinuous, curving first ventrally and then dorsally; in anterior view directed posteriorly at 90° from apex. Acropodite tip with lateral and medial flanges forming an envelope-like structure through which runs an elevated ridge carrying the solenomere (Fig. 11A). Color. Brachoria platana n. sp. has two color morphs, co-occurring. Tergites always with red or yellow paranotal spots, sometimes also with concolorous metatergal middorsal spots or stripes. Dark-brown to black background. Collum always with concolorous red or yellow anterior and lateral spots, sometimes also with a posterior spot and concolorous marginal lines connecting the spots.

Description: Supp Table 3 (online only). Based on Holotype (♂) MPE03250. Measurements (mm): BL = 41.0, CW = 7.4, IW = 4.7, ISW = 1.6, B11W = 9.4, B11H = 5.4.

Variation: Individuals of Brachoria platana n. sp. are known to exhibit two color morphs, 1) striped red (Fig. 5O) and 2) threespotted yellow (Fig. 5P).

Ecology: Individuals of Brachoria platana n. sp. were found in a mesic deciduous forest of tulip poplar, sycamore and autumn olive by the water’s edge of Carr Creek Lake.

Distribution: Brachoria platana n. sp. is known only from the type locality.

Etymology: This species is named after where the holotype was discovered, in a grove of American sycamores (Platanus occidentalis). The specific name is a noun in apposition derived from the Latin genus name of the American sycamore, ‘ Platanus ’.