Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Eurydesmidae (see Rowland Shelley's comment
here)
Fontariidae
Numbers
48 genera listed at
Discover Life
There are 2,700 species world-wide, about 250 of which occur north of Mexico.
(1)Identification
18-22 (usually 20) body rings and prominent keels. All lack eyes, and the first pair of legs on the 7th ring are gonopods. Many are brightly colored and all have stink glands.
(1)Remarks
Because of the complexity of the Xystodesmidae, it is necessary to divide the family
into smaller units or tribes. There are 10 total tribes, 8 of which occur at least
partly in the US & Canada:
Apheloriini - Ontario & Quebec, and the US east of the Central Plains.
Rhysodesmini - Essex Co., Ont.; the USA from North Dakota, Michigan & New York
to Big Pine Key FL and the NE corner of Texas; also occurring from Big Bend Nat. Pk.
& the Rio Grande Valley of Texas to El Salvador
Pachydesmini - southeastern US from NC & TN to northern Florida and northeastern
Texas.
Nannariini - USA from Indiana & New York to southern Blue Ridge Mts. in north GA
and Ouachita Prov. in AR.
Xystocheirini - California from Mendocino & Placer cos. to Tulare Co. & Santa
Monica Mts. of Los Angeles Co.
Sigmocheirini - Sierra Nevada of California from ca. Placer to Tulare cos.
Chonaphini - US from Washington & Montana (surely also adjacent BC, Canada,
which I hope to prove this summer) to Shasta Co., CA; southern Minnesota to
Shenandoah Nat. Pk., VA; eastern China
Xystodesmini - along the Pacific Coast from southern Alaska and coastal BC
to Big Sur, California; southeastern Washington, northeastern Oregon,
& adjacent Idaho; Japan, Korea, & Riu Kiu Islands.
Melaphini - Mediterranean Coast of Europe, Turkey, and north Africa.
Internet References
range map and text description of distribution in North America (Rowland Shelley, myriapoda.org)
family name synonyms; PDF doc after Rowland Shelley, 2003 (The Field Museum, Chicago)
list of genera (Discover Life, U. of Georgia)
