Ginglymodesmus spp.

(Order Polydesmida, family Dalodesmidae)

G. tasmanianus (left) and a close-up of the G. tasmanianus gonopods (right).

Males of Ginglymodesmus (formerly code-named 'genus E') are 5-6 mm long, uncommon and inconspicuous. Females have not yet been distinguished from other, very similar Polydesmida living in the same habitats. Adult males, however, are easily recognisable by their gonopods, which are long, slender and 'jointed' in the middle (arrow points to 'joint' in image above at right).

The three known species of Ginglymodesmus can be identified by close examination of the gonopods (see below). G. sumac is so far known only from rainforest near Julius River and Lagunta Creek. G. penelopae and G. tasmanianus both occur in a range of forest types, and G. tasmanianus has also been found in coastal scrub.

Rear and side views of a gonopod of (A) G. tasmanianus, (B) G. penelopae and (C) G. sumac.

Localities for Ginglymodesmus spp.: G. penelopae (red), G. sumac (blue), G. tasmanianus (light green). Scale bar = 100 km.
For an interactive map with more up-to-date localities, go to the mapper page.

More information:
 
Taxonomy - Mesibov (2005c)