Nototrisaria Shear & Marek 2022, new genus

Genus Nototrisaria Shear & Marek, new genus

Type species: Nototrisaria ornata Shear & Marek, new species

Etymology: The name of the genus combines noto- in reference to the enlarged, paranotum-like sixth crests (C6), and Trisaria, the name of a related genus in the subfamily. The name should be treated as feminine in gender.

Diagnosis: A genus of Trisariinae composed of a single small species, distinct from other small striariids in the highly ornate crests of the metazonites, with C1 on anterior rings consisting of anterior and posterior knobs but disappearing on posterior rings, C2 strongly exaggerated, and C6 expanded into paranota (see Figs 3, 4).

Description: As for the single species described below.

Distribution: Widely distributed in Washington State west of the Cascade Ranges, including Pacific, Jefferson, Whakiakum and Grays Harbor Counties.

Note: The genus has similarities to the previously described Stegostriaria Shear & Marek, 2022 in that C2 is elevated and larger than all the other crests. However, Nototrisaria ornata n. gen., n. sp., also has C6 broadly extended, forming paranota, C1 is suppressed and missing posterior of the midbody rings, and there are no intercalary crests. The gonopods of Nototrisaria n. gen. are very different from those of Stegostriaria dulcidormus Shear & Marek, 2022, and the complicated, highly modified ninth legs of that species are unique and unlike the simpler ninth legs of Nototrisaria ornata n. gen., n. sp. Stegostriaria dulcidormus is known only from Linn and Tillamook Counties in Oregon, well to the south, although the intervening forests are not well-sampled.

Despite the differences in the gonopods and ninth legs from species of Trisaria, the absence of a gonopod flagellocoxite and the fusion of all elements of the ninth legs, as well as an apparent comblike branch evidently fused to the anterior angiocoxite and a strongly fimbriate colpocoxite indicate that this genus and species are best placed in the subfamily Trisariinae.