Order Chordeumatida: Gonopods

In the Chordeumatida found in Tasmania, mature males have a gonopod complex consisting of legpairs 8, 9 and 10. Legpair 8 (anterior gonopod) and legpair 9 (posterior gonopod) are highly modified and complicated structures. In Australeuma, Neocambrisoma, Nesiothrix and Reginaterreuma, the tip of the posterior gonopod is large and club-like (see images above of A. simile). The anterior and posterior gonopods are very close together and sometimes interlaced; their structural details cannot be seen clearly until they are carefully dissected out and separated. Legpair 10 is also modified but still leg-like, except in Australeuma, where these legs are reduced to short 'stumps'.

For gonopod illustrations, click on the species name, below. All drawings are by W.A. Shear (Hampden-Sydney College, Hampden-Sydney, Virginia, USA) and are reproduced here with his permission.