@article {1081, title = {Phylogenetic Systematics of the Millipede Family Xystodesmidae}, journal = {Insect Systematics and Diversity}, volume = {5}, year = {2021}, month = {01/03/2021}, pages = {1-26}, abstract = {

The millipede family Xystodesmidae includes 486 species distributed primarily in temperate deciduous forests in North America and East Asia. Species diversity of the family is greatest in the Appalachian Mountains of the eastern United States, with 188 species. Although the group includes notable taxa such as those that are bioluminescent and others that display M\üllerian mimicry, producing up to 600 mg of cyanide, basic alpha-taxonomy of the group is woefully incomplete and more than 50 species remain undescribed in the Appalachian Mountains alone. In order to establish a robust phylogenetic foundation for addressing compelling evolutionary questions and describing species diversity, we assembled the largest species phylogeny (in terms of species sampling) to date in the Diplopoda. We sampled 49 genera (out of 57) and 247 of the species in the family Xystodesmidae, recollecting fresh material from historical type localities and discovering new species in unexplored regions. Here, we present a phylogeny of the family using six genes (four mitochondrial and two nuclear) and include pivotal taxa omitted from previous studies including Nannaria, Erdelyia, taxa from East Asia, and 10 new species. We show that 6 of the 11 tribes are monophyletic, and that the family is paraphyletic with respect to the Euryuridae and Eurymerodesmidae. Prior supraspecific classification is in part inconsistent with the phylogeny and convergent evolution has caused artificial genera to be proposed. Subspecific classification is likewise incongruent with phylogeny and subspecies are consistently not sister to conspecifics. The phylogeny is used as a basis to update the classification of the family, diagnose monophyletic groups, and to inform species hypotheses.

}, keywords = {aposematic, biogeography, Polydesmida, Taxonomy}, issn = {2399-3421}, doi = {10.1093/isd/ixab003}, url = {https://academic.oup.com/isd/article/doi/10.1093/isd/ixab003/6154022}, author = {Means, Jackson C. and Hennen, Derek A. and Tanabe, Tsutomu and Marek, Paul E.} } @article {1048, title = {The discovery of a second population of the microendemic Apheloria whiteheadi (Shelley, 1986), a state-listed threatened species for Virginia}, journal = {Banisteria: a journal devoted to the natural history of Virginia}, volume = {55}, year = {2021}, month = {29/01/2021}, pages = {9-17}, abstract = {

Apheloria whiteheadi (Shelley, 1986), the Laurel Creek millipede, a state-listed threatened species for Virginia, was previously known only from a narrow stretch surrounding the type locality in the Blue Ridge Mountains of southwestern Virginia. Here we present the discovery of a second A. whiteheadi population from Virginia\’s inner Piedmont, approximately 20 km to the east of the type locality, and discuss habitat characteristics of the two sites and the potential implications of this finding.

}, keywords = {conservation, eastern United States, Laurel Creek millipede, Polydesmida, Xystodesmidae}, issn = {1066-0712}, url = {https://virginianaturalhistorysociety.com/banisteria/pdf-files/ban55/Laurel_Creek_millipede_Means.pdf}, author = {Means, Jackson C. and Ivanov, Kaloyan and Williams, Benjamin R.} } @article {506, title = {Revision of the Iberian millipede genus Schizomeritus Verhoeff, 1931 (Diplopoda: Polydesmidae), with the description of three new species}, journal = {International Journal of Myriapodology}, volume = {1}, year = {2008}, month = {01/01/2008}, pages = {111 - 122}, abstract = {

The genus Schizomeritus Verhoeff, 1931 is revised and the type species S. phantasma (Verhoeff, 1925) is redescribed. Three new species from Spain, S. ortizi sp. n., S. esgrimidor sp. n. and S. andalusius sp. n. are described and figured. Polydesmus mauriesi Vicente, 1979 is redescribed and included in Schizomeritus. Polydesmus armatus Machado, 1946 is evaluated based on the original description and also included in Schizomeritus. A key to the six species is given.

}, keywords = {Diplopoda, Iberia, new species, new combination, new synonym, Polydesmida, Polydesmidae, Schizomeritus, Spain}, issn = {1875-2535}, doi = {10.1163/187525408X316776}, url = {http://booksandjournals.brillonline.com/content/journals/10.1163/187525408x316776}, author = {Djursvoll, Per} }