Desmoxytes, whose species are commonly known as the dragon millipedes, is a genus of millipedes of the family Paradoxosomatidae found in Southeast Asia. The genus was described by Ralph Vary Chamberlin in 1923, and reviewed by Sergei Golovatch and Henrik Enghoff in 1994. At least 18 species are known from to Malaysia, Myanmar, and Thailand. One species, D. planata, has also been observed in Sri Lanka, the Andaman Islands, Seychelles, Java, Great Coco Island, and Fiji; however, this species has expanded its range by being transported through human activity. Several species have only recently been discovered, and some have yet to be officially described.
Desmoxytoides hasenpuschorum is a species of millipede and the only species in the monotypic genus Desmoxytoides. It lives in Australia. This species is closely related to the dragon millipedes of the genus Desmoxytes, and there is some speculation, even by Robert Mesibov, the genus authority, that the split may not be necessary. While Desmoxytoides hasenpuschorum is similar to the millipedes of Desmoxytes in paranotal form and metatergite sculpture, it has a simpler gonopod telopodite with an unprotected solenomere which gives it its own monotypic genus. This species has the ability to produce hydrogen cyanide to ward off predators.
Polydesmida is the largest order of millipedes, with more than 5,000 species, including all the millipedes reported to produce hydrogen cyanide (HCN). This order is also the most diverse of the millipede orders in terms of morphology. Millipedes in this order are found in all regions of the world other than Antarctica.
Hylomus is a genus of millipede of the family Paradoxosomatidae found in southeast Asia.
Paradoxosomatidae, the only family in the suborder Paradoxosomatidea, is a family of flat-backed millipedes in the order Polydesmida. Containing nearly 200 genera and 975 species as of 2013, it is one of the largest families of millipedes. Paradoxosomatids occur on all continents except Antarctica, and can generally be distinguished by dorsal grooves on most body segments and a dumb-bell shaped gonopod aperture. Notable groups within the Paradoxosomatidae include the dragon millipedes of Southeast Asia, and the widely introduced greenhouse millipede Oxidus gracilis.
Orthomorpha is a genus of millipedes in the family Paradoxosomatidae containing approximately 50 species distributed in Southeast Asia.
Orthomorpha coarctata, the long-flange millipede, is a widely introduced species of Polydesmidan millipede of the family Paradoxosomatidae. It is presumed native to Southeast Asia but due to transport by humans occurs in tropical and sub-tropical areas throughout the world, including the Hawaiian Islands, the West Indies, Gulf Coast of North America, and the Galápagos Islands.
Casimir Albrecht Willem Jeekel (1922–2010) was a Dutch myriapodologist and entomologist known for his major contributions to the taxonomy of millipedes. His 1971 monograph Nomenclator Generum et Familiarum Diplopodorum is credited as launching the "modern era" of millipede taxonomy, and has been considered the "most important single work ever published on the Diplopoda". He served as director of the Zoological Museum Amsterdam, and authored over 150 works on the taxonomy of millipedes and other myriapods.
Haplodesmidae is a family of millipedes in the order Polydesmida. Species occur in East Asia, Southeast Asia, and Oceania, although some species have been introduced to the New world tropics. Species are small bodied, often with elaborate sculpturing on the tergites, and some species are capable of rolling into a near-complete ball.
Ammodesmidae is a family of small millipedes endemic to Africa, containing seven species in two genera. Ammodesmids range from 1.4 to 5.0 mm long with 18 or 19 body segments in both sexes, and are capable of rolling into a tight sphere.
Hylomus rhinoceros is an aposematic species of dragon millipede in the family Paradoxosomatidae. It is only known from Champasak and Sekong Provinces in southern Laos.
Chamberlinius is a genus of flat-backed millipedes in the family Paradoxosomatidae. There are five species; 3 of which occur only Taiwan, one only in the Ryukyu Islands of southeast Japan, and one occurring in both areas. Individuals are 25–37 mm (0.98–1.46 in) long and up to 5.5 mm wide, colored in pale yellow to brown, sometimes with dark brown markings on the anterior portion of body segments.
Fuhrmannodesmidae is a family of millipedes belonging to the order Polydesmida. Although some authorities deem Fuhrmannodesmidae to be a junior synonym for Trichopolydesmidae, others still regard the taxonomic status of Fuhrmannodesmidae as valid. The family Fuhrmannodesmidae includes over 50 genera.
Anoplodesmus saussurii is a species of millipedes in the family Paradoxosomatidae. It was once thought endemic to Sri Lanka, but it was later found in Fiji and Mauritius.
Desmoxytes planata, is a species of millipedes in the family Paradoxosomatidae. It is a pantropical species with a vast distribution due to human interference in transportation. It is native to Andaman Islands and introduced to Thailand, the Seychelles, Java, Sri Lanka, Fiji and probably in Malay Peninsula.
Tonkinosoma tiani, is a species of millipede belonging to the family Paradoxosomatidae. It is found from caves in southern China.
Glyphiulus, is a genus of millipedes belonging to the order Spirostreptida, family Cambalopsidae. It is the largest Southeast Asian millipede genus comprise about 47 to 57 species ranging from southern China, northern Laos, and northern Thailand in the north to southern Vietnam in the south. The type species shows a pantropical distribution. The number of species always changes due to continuous discoveries of new species.
Desmoxytes cervina, is a species of millipede in the family Paradoxosomatidae. It is known from Myanmar and Thailand.
Desmoxytes golovatchi, is a species of millipede in the family Paradoxosomatidae, that can be found in Thailand.
Agenodesmus is a genus of millipedes in the family Fuhrmannodesmidae, which some authorities consider a junior synonym of Trichopolydesmidae. This genus is notable for being among the very few genera in the order Polydesmida to feature adults with only 18 segments rather than the 20 segments usually found in this order. The genus Agenodesmus contains only two species, A. reticulatus and A. nullus. The type species A. reticulatus is notable as the first polydesmidan millipede discovered with only 18 segments in adults, the smallest number recorded in the order Polydesmida. Before the discovery of A. reticulatus, polydesmidans were known to have only 19 or 20 segments in adults.
