Millipedes of Australia

Polydesmida: Dalodesmidae

The 60-odd genera assigned to the family Dalodesmidae have a Gondwanan distribution: Australia, New Zealand, New Caledonia, southern South America, South Africa and Madagascar.

Dalodesmids are abundant in Tasmania, but elsewhere in Australia they are much less common than Paradoxosomatidae. They are predominantly millipedes of wet forest. In dry forest, dalodesmids are sometimes found in moist microhabitats, such as rotting logs and the upper layers of richly organic soil. In high-rainfall areas they also occur in alpine and coastal scrub, and sometimes in heath. Dalodesmids have been undercollected on the Australian mainland and there are undescribed genera in New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria.

Paredrodesmus and Procophorella are listed below but it is not yet clear whether they belong in Dalodesmidae.

Seventeen Australian genera:

Atalopharetra Mesibov, 2005
  Atalopharetra Mesibov 2005a: 22. (First description.)
Type species. Atalopharetra johnsi Mesibov, 2005, by original designation.
Distribution. Tas.
Included species:
    Atalopharetra bashfordi Mesibov, 2005 [Tas].
    Atalopharetra clarkei Mesibov, 2005 [Tas].
    Atalopharetra eberhardi Mesibov, 2005 [Tas].
    Atalopharetra johnsi Mesibov, 2005 [Tas].  

Atrophotergum Mesibov, 2004
  Atrophotergum Mesibov 2004a: 2. (First description.)
Type species. Atrophotergum silvaticum Mesibov, 2004, by original designation.
Distribution. Tas.
Included species:
    Atrophotergum bonhami Mesibov, 2004 [Tas].
    Atrophotergum montanum Mesibov, 2004 [Tas].
    Atrophotergum pastorale Mesibov, 2004 [Tas].
    Atrophotergum silvaticum Mesibov, 2004 [Tas].
    Atrophotergum sodalis Mesibov, 2004 [Tas].
    Atrophotergum wurrawurraense Mesibov, 2004 [Tas].  

Bromodesmus Mesibov, 2004
  Bromodesmus Mesibov 2004b: 4. (First description.)
  Bromodesmus Mesibov 2004d: 43. (In taxonomic discussion.)
  Bromodesmus Mesibov 2005a: 21. (In taxonomic discussion.)
Type species. Bromodesmus catrionae Mesibov, 2004, by original designation.
Distribution. Tas.
Included species:
    Bromodesmus catrionae Mesibov, 2004 [Tas].
    Bromodesmus militaris Mesibov, 2004 [Tas].
    Bromodesmus riparius Mesibov, 2004 [Tas].
    Bromodesmus rufus Mesibov, 2004 [Tas].  

Dasystigma Mesibov, 2003
  Dasystigma Mesibov 2003a: 198. (First description.)
  Dasystigma Mesibov 2006a: 106. (In taxonomic discussion.)
Type species. Lissodesmus margaretae Jeekel, 1984, by original designation.
Distribution. Tas.
Included species:
    Dasystigma bonhami Mesibov, 2003 [Tas].
    Dasystigma huonense Mesibov, 2003 [Tas].
    Dasystigma margaretae (Jeekel, 1984) [Tas].
    Dasystigma tyleri Mesibov, 2003 [Tas].  

Gasterogramma Jeekel, 1982
  Gasterogramma Jeekel 1982d: 10. (First description.)
  Gasterogramma Jeekel 1984b: 85 (in taxonomic discussion),
    89 (in genus key).
  Gasterogramma Jeekel 1985b: 52. (In taxonomic discussion).
  Gasterogramma Shelley et al. 2000: 102. (In genus catalogue.)
  Gasterogramma Mesibov 2003b: 207. (Genus revision.)
Type species. Gasterogramma psi Jeekel, 1982, by original designation.
Distribution. Tas.
Included species:
    Gasterogramma austrinum Mesibov, 2003 [Tas].
    Gasterogramma extremum Mesibov, 2003 [Tas]
    Gasterogramma imber Mesibov, 2003 [Tas]
    Gasterogramma plomleyi Mesibov, 2003 [Tas]
    Gasterogramma psi Jeekel, 1982 [Tas]
    Gasterogramma rusticum Mesibov, 2003 [Tas]
    Gasterogramma tarkinense Mesibov, 2003 [Tas]
    Gasterogramma wynyardense Mesibov, 2003 [Tas]  

Gephyrodesmus Jeekel, 1983
  Gephyrodesmus Jeekel 1983: 145. (First description.)
  Gephyrodesmus Jeekel 1985b: 50 (in taxonomic discussion),
    51 (in genus key).
  Gephyrodesmus Shelley et al. 2000: 102. (In genus catalogue.)
  Gephyrodesmus Mesibov 2008a: 11. (Redescription.)
Type species. Gephyrodesmus cineraceus Jeekel, 1983, by original designation.
Distribution. Vic.
Included species:
    Gephyrodesmus arcuatus Mesibov, 2008 [NSW, Vic].
    Gephyrodesmus cineraceus Jeekel, 1983 [NSW, Vic].
    Gephyrodesmus coolahensis Mesibov, 2008 [NSW].
    Gephyrodesmus regilacus Mesibov, 2008 [Vic].  

Ginglymodesmus Mesibov, 2005
  Ginglymodesmus Mesibov 2005b: 41. (First description.)
Type species. Ginglymodesmus tasmanianus Mesibov, 2005, by original designation.
Distribution. Tas.
Included species:
    Ginglymodesmus penelopae Mesibov, 2005 [Tas].
    Ginglymodesmus sumac Mesibov, 2005 [Tas].
    Ginglymodesmus tasmanianus Mesibov, 2005 [Tas].  

Lissodesmus Chamberlin, 1920
  Lissodesmus
    Lissodesmus Chamberlin 1920a: 135. (First description.)
    Lissodesmus Attems 1940: 490. (In catalogue of genera of uncertain family placement.)
    Lissodesmus Jeekel 1971: 336. (In genus catalogue.)
    Lissodesmus Hoffman 1980: 185. (In genus catalogue.)
    Lissodesmus Jeekel 1982d: 12. (In taxonomic discussion).
    Lissodesmus Jeekel 1983: 146 (in taxonomic discussion),
        150 (in redescription of L. martini).
    Lissodesmus Jeekel 1984b: 85 (in taxonomic discussion),
        89 (in genus key).)
    Lissodesmus Jeekel 1985b: 50 (in taxonomic discussion),
        51 (in genus key).
    Lissodesmus Mesibov 2003a: 198. (In taxonomic discussion.)
    Lissodesmus Mesibov 2004c: 21. (In taxonomic discussion.)
    Lissodesmus Mesibov 2006a: 108. (Genus revision.)
    Lissodesmus Mesibov 2008a: 49. (Synonymy, list of included species.)
  Australopeltis
    Australopeltis Johns 1964: 47. (Introduced as subgenus of Pseudoprionopeltis Carl, 1902.)
    Australopeltis Hoffman 1980: 184. (In genus catalogue; raised to genus.)
    Australopeltis Jeekel 1982d: 12. (In taxonomic discussion.)
    Australopeltis Jeekel 1983: 150. (Synonymised with Lissodesmus.)
    Australopeltis Shelley et al. 2000: 86. (In genus catalogue.)
    Australopeltis Mesibov 2006a: 108. (In genus revision as synonym of Lissodesmus.)
    Australopeltis Mesibov 2008a: 49. (Synonymy.)
    [Type species: Pseudoprionopeltis martini Carl, 1902, by original designation.]
Type species. Lissodesmus modestus Chamberlin, 1920, by original designation.
Distribution. Tas, Vic.
Included species:
    Lissodesmus adrianae Jeekel, 1984 [Tas].
    Lissodesmus alisonae Jeekel, 1984 [Tas].
    Lissodesmus anas Mesibov, 2006 [Tas].
    Lissodesmus bashfordi Mesibov, 2006 [Tas].
    Lissodesmus blackwoodensis Mesibov, 2006 [Vic].
    Lissodesmus catrionae Mesibov, 2006 [Vic].
    Lissodesmus clivulus Mesibov, 2006 [Tas].
    Lissodesmus cognatus Mesibov, 2006 [Tas].
    Lissodesmus cornutus Mesibov, 2006 [Tas].
    Lissodesmus devexus Mesibov, 2006 [Tas].
    Lissodesmus dignomontis Mesibov, 2006 [Vic].
    Lissodesmus gippslandicus Mesibov, 2006 [Vic].
    Lissodesmus grampianensis Mesibov, 2008 [Vic].
    Lissodesmus hamatus Mesibov, 2006 [Tas].
    Lissodesmus horridomontis Mesibov, 2006 [Tas].
    Lissodesmus inopinatus Mesibov, 2006 [Tas].
    Lissodesmus johnsi Mesibov, 2006 [Vic].
    Lissodesmus latus Mesibov, 2006 [Tas].
    Lissodesmus macedonensis Mesibov, 2006 [Vic].
    Lissodesmus martini (Carl, 1902) [Vic].
    Lissodesmus milledgei Mesibov, 2006 [Vic].
    Lissodesmus modestus Chamberlin, 1920 [Tas].
    Lissodesmus montanus Mesibov, 2006 [Tas].
    Lissodesmus orarius Mesibov, 2006 [Tas].
    Lissodesmus otwayensis Mesibov, 2006 [Vic].
    Lissodesmus peninsulensis Mesibov, 2006 [Tas].
    Lissodesmus perporosus Jeekel, 1984 [Tas].
    Lissodesmus plomleyi Mesibov, 2006 [Tas].
    Lissodesmus tarrabulga Mesibov, 2006 [Vic].  

Orthorhachis Jeekel, 1985
  Orthorhachis Jeekel 1985b: 51. (In genus key, and first description.)
  Orthorhachis Shelley et al. 2000: 118. (In genus catalogue.)
  Orthorhachis Mesibov 2008a: 19. (Redescription.)
Type species. Orthorhachis pallida Jeekel, 1985, by original designation.
Distribution. Qld.
Included species:
    Orthorhachis catherinae Mesibov, 2008a [NSW].
    Orthorhachis cavatica Jeekel, 2006 [NSW].
    Orthorhachis celtica Mesibov, 2008a [NSW].
    Orthorhachis christinae Mesibov, 2008a [NSW].
    Orthorhachis durabilis Mesibov, 2008a [NSW, Vic].
    Orthorhachis gloriosa Mesibov, 2008a [Qld].
    Orthorhachis inflata Mesibov, 2008a [NSW].
    Orthorhachis jubata Mesibov, 2008a [Qld].
    Orthorhachis kerewong Mesibov, 2008a [NSW].
    Orthorhachis monteithi Mesibov, 2008a [Qld].
    Orthorhachis oresbia Mesibov, 2008a [Vic].
    Orthorhachis pallida Jeekel, 1985b [Qld].
    Orthorhachis paradoxalis Jeekel, 2006f [NSW].
    Orthorhachis serrata Mesibov, 2008a [NSW].
    Orthorhachis tallagandensis Mesibov, 2008a [NSW].
    Orthorhachis vinnula Mesibov, 2008a [Vic].
    Orthorhachis weiri Mesibov, 2008a [NSW].
    Orthorhachis yabbra Mesibov, 2008a [NSW, Qld].  

Paredrodesmus Mesibov, 2003
  Paredrodesmus Mesibov 2003c: 8. (First description.)
Type species. Paredrodesmus taurulus Mesibov, 2003, by original designation.
Distribution. Tas.
Included species:
    Paredrodesmus aceriodendron Mesibov, 2003 [Tas].
    Paredrodesmus australis Mesibov, 2003 [Tas].
    Paredrodesmus bicalcar Mesibov, 2003 [Tas].
    Paredrodesmus monticolus Mesibov, 2003 [Tas].
    Paredrodesmus purpureus Mesibov, 2003 [Tas].
    Paredrodesmus taurulus Mesibov, 2003 [Tas].  

Paurodesmus Chamberlin, 1920
  Paurodesmus
    Paurodesmus Chamberlin 1920a: 136. (First description.)
    Paurodesmus Attems 1940: 490. (In catalogue of genera of uncertain family placement.)
    Paurodesmus Jeekel 1971: 343. (In genus catalogue.)
    Paurodesmus Hoffman 1980: 185. (In genus catalogue.)
    Paurodesmus Jeekel 1981: 52. (In taxonomic discussion: 'In Queensland we have the genus Paurodesmus Chamberlin, 1920, which is probably the same as Queenslandesmus Verhoeff, 1924.')
    Paurodesmus Jeekel 1982d: 11. (In taxonomic discussion).
    Paurodesmus Jeekel 1983: 146. (In taxonomic discussion.)
    Paurodesmus Jeekel 1985b: 51. (In genus key.)
    Paurodesmus Mesibov 2008b: 113. (In taxonomic discussion.)
  Queenslandesmus
    Queenslandesmus Verhoeff 1924: 36. (First description.)
    Queenslandesmus Attems 1926: 146. (In genus key.)
    Queenslandesmus Verhoeff 1932: 1580. (In genus key.)
    Queenslandesmus Verhoeff 1936a: 5 (in taxonomic discussion),
    6, 7 (in genus keys),
    Queenslandesmus Attems 1940: 384 (in genus key),
    454 (redescription).
    Queenslandesmus Jeekel 1971: 350. (In genus catalogue.)
    Queenslandesmus Hoffman 1980: 185. (In genus catalogue.)
    Queenslandesmus Jeekel 1981: 52. (In taxonomic discussion: 'In Queensland we have the genus Paurodesmus Chamberlin, 1920, which is probably the same as Queenslandesmus Verhoeff, 1924.')
    Queenslandesmus Jeekel 1982d: 12. (In taxonomic discussion).
    Queenslandesmus Jeekel 1983: 146. (In taxonomic discussion).
    Queenslandesmus Jeekel 1985b: 50 (in taxonomic discussion),
    51 (in genus key).
    Queenslandesmus Mesibov 2008b: 113. (Synonymised with Paurodesmus.)
    [Type species: Queenslandesmus sjoestedti Verhoeff, 1924, by monotypy.]
Type species. Paurodesmus acutangulus Chamberlin, 1920, by original designation.
Distribution. Qld.
Included species:
    Paurodesmus acutangulus Chamberlin, 1920 [Qld].
    Paurodesmus sjoestedti (Verhoeff, 1924) [Qld].  

Procophorella Mesibov, 2003
  Procophorella Mesibov 2003c: 2. (First description.)
Type species. Procophorella innupta Mesibov, 2003, by original designation.
Distribution. Tas.
Included species:
    Procophorella bashfordi Mesibov, 2003 [Tas].
    Procophorella innupta Mesibov, 2003 [Tas].  

Sphaerotrichopus Attems, 1911
  Sphaerotrichopus Attems 1911: 149 (in taxonomic discussion),
    179 (first description).
  Sphaerotrichopus Attems 1914: 239 (in species key),
    240 (in species catalogue).
  Sphaerotrichopus Brolemann 1916: 547 (in taxonomic discussion),
    553 (redescription),
    584 (in list of genera).
  Sphaerotrichopus Attems 1926: 146. (In genus key.)
  Sphaerotrichopus Attems 1928: 251. (In genus key.)
  Sphaerotrichopus Verhoeff 1932: 1580. (In genus key.)
  Sphaerotrichopus Verhoeff 1936a: 6, 8 (in genus keys),
  Sphaerotrichopus Attems 1940: 384 (in genus key),
    386 (redescription).
  Sphaerotrichopus Jeekel 1971: 353. (In genus catalogue.)
  Sphaerotrichopus Hoffman 1980: 185. (In genus catalogue.)
  Sphaerotrichopus Jeekel 1982d: 11. (In taxonomic discussion).
  Sphaerotrichopus Jeekel 1983: 146. (In taxonomic discussion).
Type species. Sphaerotrichopus ramosus Attems, 1911, by monotypy.
Distribution. WA.
Included species:
    Sphaerotrichopus cornutus Verhoeff, 1936 [WA].
    Sphaerotrichopus ramosus Attems, 1911 [WA].  

Tasmaniosoma Verhoeff, 1936
  Tasmaniosoma Verhoeff 1936a: 3 (in taxonomic discussion),
    6, 8 (in genus keys),
    11 (first description).
  Tasmaniosoma Attems 1940: 384 (in genus key),
    442 (redescription).
  Tasmaniosoma Jeekel 1971: 355. (In genus catalogue.)
  Tasmaniosoma Hoffman 1980: 150 (in taxonomic discussion),
    185 (in genus catalogue).
  Tasmaniosoma Jeekel 1982d: 12. (In taxonomic discussion).
  Tasmaniosoma Jeekel 1983: 146. (In taxonomic discussion).
  Tasmaniosoma Jeekel 1984b: 85 (in taxonomic discussion),
    89 (in genus key).
  Tasmaniosoma Jeekel 1985b: 52. (In taxonomic discussion).
Type species. Tasmaniosoma armatum Verhoeff, 1936, by monotypy.
Distribution. Tas.
Included species:
    Tasmaniosoma armatum Verhoeff, 1936 [Tas].  

Tasmanodesmus Chamberlin, 1920
  Tasmanodesmus Chamberlin 1920a: 133. (First description.)
  Tasmanodesmus Attems 1940: 491. (In catalogue of genera of uncertain family placement.)
  Tasmanodesmus Jeekel 1971: 355. (In genus catalogue.)
  Tasmanodesmus Jeekel 1982d: 12. (In taxonomic discussion).
  Tasmanodesmus Jeekel 1983: 146. (In taxonomic discussion).
  Tasmanodesmus Jeekel 1984b: 85 (in taxonomic discussion),
    89 (in genus key).
  Tasmanodesmus Jeekel 1985b: 52. (In taxonomic discussion).
  Tasmanodesmus Mesibov 2004c: 23. (Redescription.)
Type species. Tasmanodesmus hardyi Chamberlin, 1920, by original designation.
Distribution. Tas.
Included species:
    Tasmanodesmus hardyi Chamberlin, 1920 [Tas].  

Tasmanopeltis Mesibov, 2006
  Tasmanopeltis Mesibov 2006a: 103, 109 (in taxonomic discussions),
    123 (first description.)
Type species. Tasmanopeltis grandis Mesibov, 2006, by original designation.
Distribution. Tas.
Included species:
    Tasmanopeltis grandis Mesibov, 2006 [Tas].  

Victoriombrus Mesibov, 2004
  Victoriombrus Mesibov 2004d: 41. (First description.)
Type species. Victoriombrus acanthus Mesibov, 2004, by original designation.
Distribution. Vic.
Included species:
    Victoriombrus acanthus Mesibov, 2004 [Vic].
    Victoriombrus seminudus Mesibov, 2004 [Vic].