@article {257, title = {A first phylogenetic analysis of the pill millipedes of the order Glomerida, with a special assessment of mandible characters (Myriapoda, Diplopoda, Pentazonia)}, journal = {Arthropod Structure \& Development}, volume = {47}, year = {2018}, month = {03/2018}, pages = {214 - 228}, abstract = {

The pill millipedes of the order Glomerida are a moderately diverse group with a classical Holarctic distribution pattern. Their classification is based on a typological system utilizing mainly a single character complex, the male telopods. In order to infer the apomorphies of the Glomerida, to elucidate its position in the Pentazonia, and to test the monophyly of its families and subfamilies, we conduct the first phylogenetic analysis of the order. To provide additional characters, we comparatively analyze the mandible using scanning electron microscopy. The final character matrix consists of 69 characters (11 mandible characters) and incorporates 22 species from 20 of the 34 pill millipede genera, representing all families and subfamilies, except the monotypic Mauriesiinae. Two species from each of the two other Pentazonian orders Sphaerotheriida and Glomeridesmida, as well as two Spirobolida, are included as outgroup taxa. The Glomerida are recovered as monophyletic and are supported by five apomorphies. Within the Pentazonia, the Glomeridesmida are recovered as the sister group to the classical Oniscomorpha (Sphaerotheriida + Glomerida) with weak support. The analysis provides little resolution within the Glomerida, resulting in numerous polytomies. Further morphological characters and/or the addition of molecular analyses are needed to produce a robust phylogenetic classification of the Glomerida.

}, keywords = {apomorphic characters, Glomerida, mandible, Oniscomorpha, phylogenetic analysis}, issn = {1467-8039}, doi = {10.1016/j.asd.2018.02.005}, url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1467803918300203}, author = {Oeyen, Jan Philip and Wesener, Thomas} } @article {176, title = {Genital morphology and the mechanics of copulation in the millipede genus Pseudopolydesmus (Diplopoda: Polydesmida: Polydesmidae)}, journal = {Arthropod Structure \& Development}, volume = {54}, year = {2020}, month = {28/01/2020}, pages = {100913}, abstract = {

Mate choice, copulation, genital morphology, and sperm storage are not very well understood in millipedes. The use of three-dimensional x-ray computed tomography (\μCT) provides new morphological data regarding millipede reproductive systems in both the female and male, including chitinous sclerites and membranes, muscles, glands, oviducts, and sperm conduits. Here we present a complete integrated account of the morphology and function of the female genital organs in the family Polydesmidae (Diplopoda: Polydesmida) using \μCT, UV fluorescence imaging, and scanning electron microscopy. These data allow us to consider competing hypotheses regarding millipede vulva formation. We additionally present the morphology of copulatory interface in Pseudopolydesmus Attems, 1898 using images of a mating pair in copula and by simulating the interface of the organs using 3D models from \μCT, allowing us to tentatively identify a lock-and-key-like mechanism. Finally, we use \μCT to reveal the topology of the seminal canal in the gonopod of male Pseudopolydesmus, a topic that has remained unresolved for nearly 80 years.

}, keywords = {Diplopoda, Female genitalia, Reproductive anatomy, Sexual selection, Ultraviolet fluorescence, X-ray tomography}, issn = {1467-8039}, doi = {10.1016/j.asd.2020.100913}, url = {https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S1467803919301203}, author = {Zahnle, Xavier J. and Sierwald, Petra and Ware, Stephanie and Bond, Jason E.} }