Micropathus montanus Richards, 1971

Micropathus montanus Richards, 1971 View in CoL

Figs 1–2 View Fig View Fig , Table 1

Micropathus montanus Richards, 1971: 580–583 View in CoL , fig. 2.

Micropathus montanus View in CoL – Richards 1974: 252–253 (in key, additional records).

Diagnosis

The apices of the hind femora variably bear an apical spine on the retrolateral side. The ventral surfaces of the hind femora are unarmed prolaterally but variably bear linear spines on the retrolateral side. The male suranal plate has a proximal margin that resembles three wide, rounded lobes and is rounded distally ( Fig. 2 View Fig ). The female subgenital plate is concave at the lateral margin and forms two strongly reflexed lobes at the distal corners. The distal margin of the plate bears two to three small, sclerotised lobes with pointed apices ( Fig. 2 View Fig ).

Etymology

Not explained by Richards. The Latin adjective ‘ montānus ’ means ‘dwelling in the mountains’ in reference to the species occurring at high altitudes.

Type material

Holotype

AUSTRALIA – Tasmania • ♂; Mount Ronald Cross, Virgo Cave ; 26 Jan. 1969; R. J. Cockerill leg.; ANIC 14-009107 About ANIC ; ANIC.

Paratype

AUSTRALIA – Tasmania • ♀; same data as for holotype; ANIC 14-008965 About ANIC ; ANIC .

Other material examined

TASMANIA – Franklin-Gordon Wildlife Reserve • 1 ♀; Lancelot Rivulet karst, Cave 22; 42.520° S, 145.92° E; 2 Dec. 2022; R. Eberhard leg.; GenBank: PV368131 ( COI); TMAG F138844 View Materials ; TMAG. – Gordon-Albert karst GoogleMaps • 3 ♀♀, 3 ♂♂; Gaxi Cave ; 42.743° S, 145.89° E; 5 Nov. 2011; R. Eberhard leg.; GenBank: PV368132 ( COI); TMAG F073206 View Materials ; TMAG GoogleMaps • 1 spec.; unnamed cave; 42.740° S, 145.95° E; same data as for preceding; molecular data only; GenBank: MH171950 View Materials ( 12S rRNA); SARFMEE 12:0967; SARFMEE. – Nicholls Range GoogleMaps • 1 ♀, 1 ♂; Bill Nielsen / Rotuli Cave (NR-001); 42.707° S, 145.85° E; same data as for preceding; GenBank: PV368133 ( COI); TMAG F073218 View Materials ; TMAG GoogleMaps • 1 spec.; Kayak Kavern ; 42.633° S, 145.83° E; same data as for preceding; S.M. Eberhard leg.; molecular data only; GenBank: MH171948 View Materials ( 12S rRNA); SARFMEE 12:0964a; SARFMEE GoogleMaps .

Distribution

Central western Tasmania at 200–960 m a.s.l. ( Fig. 1b View Fig ; Richards 1987). Habitat ranges from caves in lowland riverine rainforest in the Gordon-Albert and Nicholls Range areas to subalpine caves at Mount Ronald Cross.

Redescription

As in Richards (1971a), with exceptions as follows: ♀ subgenital plate with two to three short, sclerotised, and spine-like lobes at distal margin. Hind femur unarmed prolaterally but variably bearing a small retrolateral apical spine and 1–5 retrolateral ventral linear spines. Hind tibia with 29–41 prolateral and 27–42 retrolateral dorsal linear spines. First segment of hind tarsus with 1–5 prolateral and 1–4 retrolateral dorsal linear spines. Second tarsal segment with 1–3 dorsal linear spines prolaterally and retrolaterally.