Caucadesmus Alvear & Romero-Rincon, 2024, gen. nov.

Genus Caucadesmus gen. nov. Type species. Caucadesmus lucreciae sp. nov., by present designation. Etymology. The generic name is formed by a combination of the word ‘Cauca’ in reference to the Cauca River in Colombia, and the suffix ‘- desmus ’, which is commonly used in generic names in the order Polydesmida. The name is a masculine noun. Diagnosis. A batodesminine genus belonging to the Alocodesmus group, characterized by the absence of significant body modifications. No evident epicranial processes nor modified collum. Metazonites smooth, without ornamentation or tubercles; ozopores opening laterally on the paranota without developed peritremata. The sternite of segment 5 features a large protruding tubercle densely surrounded by tufts of long setae. The gonopod of Caucadesmus gen. nov. differs from other batodesminine genera, except Cordilleronomus Attems, 1931, by the absence of numerous long setae on the dorsal surface of Cx (vs the presence of such setae in Alocodesmus Silvestri, 1896, Carlopeltis Verhoeff, 1938, Heteropeltis Carl, 1914, Dyoparyphe Hoffman, 1969, and Cheirogonus Hoffman, 1982). The PfP is bifid, contrasting with the three-branched PfP in Alocodesmus and the unbranched PfP in Cordilleronomus and Cheirogonus. Caucadesmus differs from Attemsiella Strand, 1928 by lacking small tubercles and transverse grooves on the dorsal surface of most body rings, and from Colombodesmus Chamberlin, 1923, by the absence of sternal spines and transverse rows of granules on the dorsal surface of body rings.