Cleidogona columbicauda Snyder & Shear, 2025

Cleidogona columbicauda Snyder & Shear , sp. nov.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:

Figs 9–15 View FIGURES 1–10 View FIGURES 11–16

Material Examined. Types: Holotype: 1 male, TENNESSEE: Cocke Co., Snakeden Ridge ATBI Plot , 35° 44’ 36” N 83° 13’ 12” W, pitfall trap 91, 10 Mar–6 Apr 2002 (USNMENT02180526) GoogleMaps . Paratypes: 1 male, 2 females, TENNESSEE: Cocke Co., Snakeden Ridge ATBI Plot , 35° 44’ 36” N 83° 13’ 12” W, pitfall trap 95, 1–13 Dec 2000 ( GCIZ 9001 ) GoogleMaps . 1 male, 1 female, TENNESSEE: Cocke Co., Snakeden Ridge ATBI Plot , 35° 44’ 36” N 83° 13’ 12” W, pitfall trap 91, 16 Jan–13 Feb 2002, ( VMNH112502.1 View Materials , VMNH112502.2 View Materials ) GoogleMaps . 1 male, 1 female, TENNESSEE: Cocke Co., Snakeden Ridge ATBI Plot , 35° 44’ 36” N 83° 13’ 12” W, pitfall trap 93, 6 May–5 Jun 2002 ( GRSM 228786 View Materials ) GoogleMaps .

Non-types: TENNESSEE: Blount Co., Cades Cove ATBI Plot , 35° 35’ 29” N 83° 50’ 15” W: pitfall trap 18, 2–16 Jul 2001, 1 male, 1 immature GoogleMaps . Sevier Co., Goshen Prong ATBI Plot , 35° 36’ 38” N 83° 32’ 34” W: pitfall trap 101, 19–26 Feb 2001, 1 male, 1 female GoogleMaps ; pitfall trap 103, 10 Feb–7 Mar 2002, 1 male; pitfall trap 104, 17 Sep–22 Oct 2001, 1 male. Indian Gap ATBI Plot , 35° 36’ 39” N 83° 26’ 37” W: pitfall trap 23, 10 May–19 Jun 2002, 1 male GoogleMaps ; pitfall trap 25, 15–28 Mar 2002, 1 male; pitfall trap 25, 4 Apr–10 May 2003, 1 male (used for SEM); pitfall trap 27, 14–27 Apr 2002, 1 male; pitfall trap 27, 16–28 Mar 2002, 1 male (used for SEM); pitfall trap 28, 4 Apr–10 May 2003, 1 male. Twin Creeks ATBI Plot , 35° 41’ 6” N 83° 29’ 56” W: pitfall trap 10, 27 Mar–11 Apr 2001, 1 male GoogleMaps . Under bark of rotten logs, old growth forest nr. Rocky Spur Branch , 963m, 8 Apr 1995, C. R. Parker, 1 male, 2 females . Brushy Mountain ATBI Plot , 35° 40’ 36” N 83° 25’ 51” W: pitfall trap 61, 6 Apr–23 Jun 2003, 1 male, 1 immature GoogleMaps ; pitfall trap 61, 27 Feb–12 Mar 2003, 1 male; pitfall trap 63, 5–21 Jul 2001, 1 male, 1 immature; pitfall trap 63, 6 Apr–23 Jun 2003, 1 male; pitfall trap 63, 23 May–5 Jun 2001, 1 male; pitfall trap 64, 7–19 Dec 2001, 1 male; pitfall trap 64, 5–21 Jun 2001, 1 male, 1 female; pitfall trap 64, 30 Apr–12 May 2002, 1 male; pitfall trap 64, 5–21 Jul 2001, 1 male; pitfall trap 64, 13–27 Mar 2002, 1 male; pitfall trap 64, 18–30 Jun 2002, 1 male; pitfall trap 65, 13–27 Mar 2002, 1 male; pitfall trap 66, 12 Dec 2000 – 16 Jan 2001, 1 male; pitfall trap 66, 6 Apr–23 Jun 2003, 1 male; pitfall trap 68, 11–26 Apr 2001, 1 male; pitfall trap 69, 6 Apr–23 Jun 2003, 1 male; pitfall trap 70, 25 Apr–23 May 2003, M. J. Petersen, S. Higdon & C. R. Parker, 1 male, 1 female (used for SEM) ; pitfall trap 70, 15 Jan–15 Feb 2002, 1 male. Cocke Co., Albright Grove ATBI Plot , 35° 43’ 60” N 83° 16’ 50” W: pitfall trap 81, 9 Mar–4 May 2003, 1 male GoogleMaps ; pitfall trap 82, 9 Mar–4 May 2003, 1 male, 1 female; pitfall trap 83, 8 Feb–9 Mar 2003, 1 male; pitfall trap 84, 8 Feb–9 Mar 2003, 2 males; pitfall trap 84, 9 Mar–5 Apr 2003, 1 male; pitfall trap 86, 14–29 Mar 2002, 1 male; pitfall trap 87, 21 Jul–1 Aug 2001, 1 male; pitfall trap 87, 9 Mar–5 Apr 2003, 1 male; pitfall trap 89, 12 May–15 Jun 2002, 1 male, 1 immature. Snakeden Ridge ATBI Plot , 35° 44’ 36” N 83° 13’ 12” W: pitfall trap 91, 5–16 Jan 2002, 1 male GoogleMaps ; pitfall trap 91, 3 Mar–30 Apr 2003, 1 male, 1 female; pitfall trap 91, 6 Apr–6 May 2002, 1 male; pitfall trap 91, 19 Nov–4 Dec 2001, 2 males; pitfall trap 91, 6–19 Nov 2001, 1 male; pitfall trap 92, 30 Jan–15 Feb 2001, 1 male (used for SEM); pitfall trap 94, 25 Apr–9 May 2001, 1 male, 1 immature; pitfall trap 94, 3–25 Apr 2001, I. C. Stocks & J. Breeden, 1 male; pitfall trap 94, 6 Apr–6 May 2002, 1 male; pitfall trap 95, 4–21 Dec 2001, 1 male; pitfall trap 95, 22 May–4 Jun 2001, 1 male; pitfall trap 95, 17–30 Jan 2001, 1 male; pitfall trap 97, 10 Mar–6 Apr 2002, 2 males; pitfall trap 97, 16 Feb–5 Mar 2001, 2 males; pitfall trap 98, 15 Mar–3 Apr 2001, I. C. Stocks & J. Breeden, 1 male, 2 females; pitfall trap 98, 3–25 Apr 2001, 1 male, 1 immature; pitfall trap 98, 16 Jan–13 Feb 2002, 1 male; pitfall trap 98, 13 Dec 2000 – 7 Jan 2001, 1 male; pitfall trap 99, 15 Mar–3 Apr 2001, I. C. Stocks & J. Breeden, 2 males; pitfall trap 99, 4–21 Dec 2001, 1 male; pitfall trap 99, 18 Feb–3 Mar 2003, 1 male; pitfall trap 100, 10 Mar–6 Apr 2002, 1 male; pitfall trap 100, 3 Mar–30 Apr 2003, 1 male; Malaise trap 20, 16 Feb–5 Mar 2001, 1 male.

NORTH CAROLINA: Swain Co., Kuwohi (Clingmans Dome) ATBI Plot , 35° 33’ 37” N 83° 29’ 43” W: pitfall trap 56, 18 Oct–13 Nov 2000, 1 male GoogleMaps ; pitfall trap 71, 8–24 Nov 2001, 2 males; pitfall trap 76, 24 Oct–8 Nov 2001, 1 male, 1 female; pitfall trap 77, 6–25 Jun 2001, 1 male; pitfall trap 79, 27 Apr–10 May 2002, 1 male; pitfall trap 79, 25 Jun–3 Jul 2001, 1 male. Andrews Bald ATBI Plot , 35° 32’ 20” N 83° 29’ 39” W: pitfall trap 54, 28 Mar–14 Apr 2002, 1 male, 1 female GoogleMaps ; pitfall trap 54, 24 27 Apr–10 May 2002, 1 male (used for SEM); pitfall trap 54, 24 Oct–8 Nov 2001, 1 male; pitfall trap 55, 18 Jul–1 Aug 2002, 1 male; pitfall trap 56, 13–29 Nov 2000, 1 male; pitfall trap 56, 16 Mar–24 Apr 2001, 1 male; pitfall trap 57, 1 Feb–16 Mar 2001, 2 males; pitfall trap 57, 16 Mar–24 Apr 2001, 1 male; pitfall trap 58, 20 Oct–13 Nov 2000, 1 male, 1 female; pitfall trap 58, 28 Mar–14 Apr 2002, 1 male; pitfall trap 60, 24 Mar–16 Apr 2001, 1 male; pitfall trap 60, 24 Oct–8 Nov 2001, 1 male; 9721, App Tr 350m E Road Prong Trailhead, hog exclosure, 5400’ elevation, beech gap forest, 1m 2 litter #2, 10 Jun 1997, Coyle, Stocks, Aiken, Davis, 1 male .

Diagnosis. Cleidogona columbicauda sp. nov. is most similar to C. medialis in the overall shape of the gonopods, but they differ in the shape of the angiocoxite processes. Cleidogona medialis has medially directed processes which are separated from the angiocoxite apices, whereas C. columbicauda sp. nov. has lamellae that point mediad proximally and continue distad on the angiocoxite apices.Additional differences include the coxae of the male tenth legs (lateral process in C. columbicauda sp. nov., medial process in C. medialis ) and the female postgenital plate (low, undivided in C. columbicauda sp. nov., divided in C. medialis ).

Etymology. The species name refers to the interleaving of the distal ends of the angiocoxites and colpocoxites, which is reminiscent of the close fit of a dovetail joint in woodworking. The name is a combination of the Latin for dove ( columba) and the Latin for tail ( cauda). Noun in apposition.

Description. Length of holotype 11.9 mm, greatest width 1.3 mm at segment 7. Ommatidia 26 in 7 rows. Color faded in holotype and most preserved specimens, but typical of the genus in some specimens. Segments cylindrical, with low shoulders. Somatic characters and secondary sexual modifications are typical for the genus (see above; also Shear 1972).

Gonopods ( Figs 9–11 View FIGURES 1–10 View FIGURES 11–16 ): In anterior view ( Fig. 9 View FIGURES 1–10 ), sternum ( s) a narrow band, expanded laterally. Coxae ( cx) subtriangular. Angiocoxites ( ac) linear, stout proximally, with sinuous edges. Middle of proximal region wrinkled. Distally, angiocoxites curve posteriad, narrow, and bear a flange on their medial surfaces. Each angiocoxite ends in a broad, rugose, medially curving lamella that wraps around the distal end of the colpocoxite; the distal colpocoxite process ( dcp) is lateral to the lamellae. The edges of the lamellae are toothed and a small hook ( h) is present distally. A process ( p) arises between the angiocoxites, variable in length (see remarks). The proximal ends of the colpocoxites ( cc) are visible on either side of this process.

In lateral view ( Fig. 11 View FIGURES 11–16 ), coxae ( cx) elongate, lacking a coxal process, base somewhat expanded laterad. Angiocoxite ( ac) gently curving posteriad, wrinkled proximally, small dorsal notch just distal to coxa, expanding distally into a large, posteriodorsally directed laciniate lobe ( ll) and a thin, ventrally located lamella ( vl). The lamella curves medially, with a toothed edge and a distal hook ( h). The distal end of the angiocoxite almost completely covers the distal end of the colpocoxite ( cc), except for the distal colpocoxite process ( dcp) that is lateral to the angiocoxite. The colpocoxite is curved with two large ridges. The inner ridge continues between the middle of the angiocoxites and becomes a laterally flattened, bluntly pointed proximal process. The outer ridge ends in a large triangular tooth ( dcp). The main stem of the colpocoxite is greatly expanded distally and nests medial to the angiocoxite lobe and flange.

Ninth legs ( Fig. 12 View FIGURES 11–16 ) typical for the genus, sternum with a small medial bump, fused prefemora and coxae sinuous, vestigial glands produced on knobs. Femora ( f9) triangular, slightly longer than the fused prefemora and coxae. Tenth legs ( Fig. 13 View FIGURES 11–16 ) typical for the genus, sternum ( s10) expanded into a tooth medially at the base of each leg and a pronounced medial ridge. Coxal glands ( cg) produced on knobs giving the appearance of a short branch. Coxae ( cx10) with distal lateral knobs and an abrupt widening at the distal ends.

Females similar to males in all nonsexual aspects. Postgenital plate ( pgp) not divided, low, expanded ventrally into three weakly divided lobes ( Figs 14, 15 View FIGURES 11–16 ). Vulvae with an inner valve ( iv), outer valve ( ov), and paired projections on the posterior edge ( Figs 14, 15 View FIGURES 11–16 ). Medial projections ( mp) pointed, longer; lateral projections ( lp) narrow distally before widening into two teeth.

Distribution. Cleidogona columbicauda sp. nov. is widely distributed in GSMNP, having been collected at 9 of 19 ATBI plots and a few additional sites ( Fig. 29 View FIGURE 29 ). Its range stretches from Cades Cove east to Snakeden Ridge, and south to Andrews Bald, with elevations from 522 m at Cades Cove to 1954 m at Kuwohi (formerly Clingmans Dome). It appears to be more common at higher elevation sites; 94% of specimens collected were from sites above 950 m, and 45% over 1450 m. Habitats include open and forested sites: old field, heath bald, grassy bald; cove forests (second-growth and old-growth), hemlock forest, high-elevation beech forest, and spruce-fir forest.

Remarks. The process between the angiocoxites is variable in length. In most specimens it is prominent, extending about halfway to the lamellae, but it some it is short, and in others it is lacking. Specimens with the process exist at all sites where C. columbicauda sp. nov. has been collected, but specimens lacking the process cooccur at all high-elevation sites (above 1450 m). Specimens with and without the process have even been found in the same pitfall trap.