Family Paradoxosomatidae

Classification · Numbers · Identification · Range · Remarks · Internet References · Works Cited

Flat backed millipedes - Oxidus gracilis

Classification

Kingdom Animalia (Animals)

Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)

Subphylum Myriapoda (Myriapods)

Class Diplopoda (Millipedes)

Order Polydesmida (Flat-backed Millipedes)

Family Paradoxosomatidae

Numbers

>700 spp. worldwide

Five introduced species in North America.

Identification

"For practical purposes, the family Paradoxosomatidae can be recognized by the dorsal transverse grooves on the 'metazona' of each segment." -- Rowland Shelley

The following characters define the Paradoxosomatidae, according to Nguyen & Sierwald's 2013 catalog:

1. The paranota of the 2nd trunk segment are set distinctly lower than the lateral keels of the collum and the paranota of the 3rd segment, with a few exceptions such as in Chamberlinius.

2. The metaterga feature a transverse sulcus (as noted above by Rowland Shelley)

3. The paraprocts carry two setae each on the paraproct surface, not on their mesal lips.

4. The males of most of the paradoxosomatid genera carry a paired or unpaired anteriad protuberance (termed ‘lamella’ or ‘Sternitfortsatz’ by Attems, 1937) on the 5th sternite.

5. The gonopod aperture is medially constricted, forming almost two separate openings in some genera.

Range

Not native to North America; introduced species Oxidus gracilis is widespread.

Remarks

Known species in US and Canada: (1)(2)

Akamptogonus novarae - California

Asiomorpha coarctata - Gulf Coast states.

Helicorthomorpha holstii - Florida

Oxidus gracilis - Widespread, probably all states and provinces

See here for comparison of A. coarctata and O. gracilis.

Internet References

Rowland Shelley: Photos of Paradoxosomatidae. The Myriapoda (Millipedes, Centipedes) Featuring the North American Fauna.

Nguyen A D, Sierwald P (2013) A worldwide catalog of the family Paradoxosomatidae Daday, 1889 (Diplopoda: Polydesmida). Check List 9(6): 1132-1353. Link

Works Cited

1.	Checklist of the millipeds of North and Middle America Richard L. Hoffman. 1999. Virginia Museum of Natural History Special Publications.

2.	Annotated checklist of the millipeds of Florida (Arthropoda: Diplopoda) Rowland M. Shelley. 2000. Insecta Mundi, 14(4), 241–251.

Contributed by Tony DiTerlizzi on 1 August, 2005 - 8:25am
Additional contributions by Vox Sciurorum, DerekHennen, biosam
Last updated 22 May, 2019 - 4:10pm

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