Cleidogona hendrixi Snyder & Shear, 2025

Cleidogona hendrixi Snyder & Shear , sp. nov.

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Figs 16–20 View FIGURES 11–16 View FIGURES 17–22

Material Examined. Types: Holotype: 1 male, NORTH CAROLINA: Haywood Co., Purchase Knob ATBI Plot , 35° 35’ 31” N 83° 3’ 37” W, pitfall trap 35, 7–21 Dec 2001 (USNMENT02180527) GoogleMaps . Paratypes: 1 male, same location, pitfall trap 35, 9–23 Nov 2002 ( GCIZ 9002 ) GoogleMaps ; 1 male, same location, pitfall trap 37, 27 Apr–15 May 2001 ( GRSM 228787 View Materials ) GoogleMaps .

Non-types: In addition to the types, 1 male was collected from pitfall trap 35 on each of the following dates: 2 Oct–9 Nov 2002 (used for SEM), 9–23 Nov 2002, and 15 Mar–10 May 2003 (used for SEM).

Diagnosis. Cleidogona hendrixi sp. nov. is unique in that no other Cleidogona has both dorsal and ventral lamellae on the angiocoxites of the gonopods. Several Mexican Cleidogona species (e.g., C. tequila Shear 1972 and C. totonaca Shear 1972 ) have generally similar curved, rod-like angiocoxites with dorsal lamellae, but these all lack ventral lamellae and the colpocoxites are not reflexed.

Etymology. This species is named for Dr. Paul F. Hendrix, the first author’s PhD advisor, who initially sent him to the Smokies, setting him on a path to describe these species. Noun in the genitive case.

Description. Length of holotype 15.1 mm, greatest width 1.8 mm at segment 7. Ommatidia 28 in 7 rows. Color faded in preserved specimens except for head, antennae, and tarsi, which are brown. Segments cylindrical. Somatic characters and secondary sexual modifications are typical for the genus (see above; also Shear 1972).

Gonopods ( Figs 16–18 View FIGURES 11–16 View FIGURES 17–22 ): In anterior view ( Fig. 17 View FIGURES 17–22 ), sternum broad and flat. Coxae ( cx) almost entirely obscured by angiocoxites. Angiocoxites ( ac) curve strongly posteriorly ( Figs 16 View FIGURES 11–16 , 17 View FIGURES 17–22 ). They are widely spaced and parallel (or slightly converging) proximally and then gently curve apart (laterad) distally, while gradually narrowing. A thin mohawk-like ventral lamella is present for the distal 1/2 to 2/3 of the length. The entirety of the colpocoxites ( cc) are visible between angiocoxites, extending posteriad and reflexing towards the base of the angiocoxites.

In lateral view ( Fig. 18 View FIGURES 17–22 ), coxa ( cx) elongate, straight-sided where it meets the angiocoxite ( ac), squared on the posterior corner, and rounded dorsally. Proximally, the angiocoxite broadens into an elongate shape that has a small bump adjacent to the rod-like distal portion but otherwise mirrors the shape of the coxa. The coxa and angiocoxite proximal area together form an almost symmetrical shield-like shape. The angiocoxite is rod-like distally, curving at midlength and tapering to a blunt point. Lamellae are present on both the ventral ( vl) and dorsal ( dl) sides; the ventral lamella is visible from the curve of the angiocoxite to just before the tip, where it is tallest (subequal to the width of the narrowing angiocoxite). The ventral lamella originates somewhat more proximally and on the ventromedial face of the angiocoxite. The dorsal lamella originates at the proximal end of the rod-like portion of the angiocoxite and is continuous to the distal end. The lamella is somewhat shorter at the bend of the angiocoxite and also very short in a distal region, which aligns with where the colpocoxite ( cc) would contact the angiocoxite if flexed. The lamella is so small here that it appears to be absent in some specimens. Proximally, the colpocoxite ( cc) curves posteriad and reflexes 180° to point anteriad, ending parallel and just dorsal of the angiocoxite. The distal tip of the colpocoxite is broadly expanded with a lateral thumb-like process, also directed anteriad.

Ninth legs ( Fig. 19 View FIGURES 17–22 ) typical for the genus, coxae with pores on large knobs, slightly constricted above, and bean-shaped distally. Femora ( f9) subequal in length to the coxae, triangular, with a small knob on the ventral corner. Tenth legs ( Fig. 20 View FIGURES 17–22 ) typical for the genus, sternum ( s10) expanded into a tooth at the base of each leg and a pronounced medial ridge. Coxal glands ( cg) produced on knobs. Coxae ( cx10) sublinear, widening distally.

Females unknown.

Distribution. Only known from the type locality, the Purchase Knob ATBI plot ( Fig. 29 View FIGURE 29 ), a second-growth southern Appalachian cove forest at 1346 m elevation ( Parker & Bernard 2006).

Remarks. Three Cleidogona are found at Purchase Knob: C. hendrixi sp. nov., C. jocassee , and C. margarita . The latter two species are described and illustrated in Shear (1972).