[Diplopoda • 2026] Alafanahydesmus lavasoa • Description before Extinction: A New Genus and Ninth Species of indigenous Polydesmida (Dalodesmidae) from Madagascar

Alafanahydesmus lavasoa  

Golles, Yoo & Wesener, 2026

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5807.1.4 

Abstract

Madagascar’s microendemism is not restricted to large rainforests, but also still exists in small, isolated fragments of natural vegetation. One such fragment is the Lavasoa-Ambatotsirongorongo protected area in southeastern Madagascar, where less than 92 ha of humid forest continue to face deforestation, but to which several species are endemic and critically endangered, including three species of millipedes. Here, we describe Alafanahydesmus lavasoa gen. nov., sp. nov. (Polydesmida: Dalodesmidae), a locally endemic Polydesmida only found in the Lavasoa-Ambatotsirongorongo area. With our here described addition, Polydesmida remain rare on Madagascar, with only four genera and nine known species, all belonging to the family Dalodesmidae. Alafanahydesmus lavasoa gen. nov., sp. nov. shares its small size (10–25 mm) and light/brown colouration with Dalodesmus Cook, 1896, Eutubercularium Brölemann, 1916, and Phymatodesmus de Saussure & Zehntner, 1897, but differs conspicuously in somatic (paraterga projecting weakly before tergite 6, elongated shape of metatergal tubercles, paraprocts (pa) with dorsal setose knobs) and sexual characters (stoutly fused femorites and a unique five-branched gonopod with a retrorse branch). Here, we describe Alafanahydesmus lavasoa gen. nov., sp. nov. integratively, providing the first molecular data for Malagasy Dalodesmidae—via partial cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) sequences (GenBank PX922879–PX922581) and pioneer the first microcomputed tomography (μCT) images for a member of the family, alongside with multilayer photographs and scanning electron microscopy images.

Myriapoda, biodiversity, cytochrome c oxidase I gene, Lavasoa, µCT, microendemism

Alafanahydesmus lavasoa gen. nov., sp. nov., Living specimens, at type locality Lavasoa. Photos taken by Moritz Einhaus in 2025.
A. Adult female walking, dorsolateral view. B. Anterior half of body and head, lateral view. C. Midbody segments and legs, close anterodorsal view. D. Rolled-up female showing egg-care behaviour, lateral view. Not to scale.

Alafanahydesmus lavasoa gen. nov., sp. nov., holotype male (ZFMK MYR14588), focus-stacked images.
A. Head and first segments, dorsal view. B. Telson, lateral view. C. Telson, ventral view. D. Mid-body, dorsal view. E. Posterior half of body, dorsal view. F. Gonopods, ventral view. G. Gonopods, ventrolateral view. H. Gonopods, lateral view. Not to scale.

Abbreviations: Co = collum; db = dichotomous branch; ep = epiproct; h = head; hy = hypoproct; o = ozopore; pa = paraproct; pb = paramedian branch; rb = retrorse branch; sl = subsecuriform solenomere; T = tergite.

 Genus Alafanahydesmus new genus 

Type species: Alafanahydesmus lavasoa sp. nov.

Etymology: The generic name is derived from the Malagasy words ala (forest) and fanahy (soul, spirit, inner essence), combined with the suffix -desmus, commonly used for Polydesmida. The name is treated as masculine.

Distribution: Currently only known from south-eastern Madagascar, the isolated rainforest of the Lavasoa-Ambatotsirongorongo area (Fig. 1).

Alafanahydesmus lavasoa gen. nov., sp. nov., Micro-CT scans, paratype male, (ZFMK MYR14544).
A. Lateral view. B. Anterior body half, showing detailed tergite pattern, dorsal view. C. Segments T9–T12 with stigma openings, ozopores, and  lateral  tergite  projections,  lateral  view. D.  Isolated  second  thoracic  segment  bearing  reduced  second  leg  pair. E.  Close-up  of  sternite  with  posterior  sternite  processes,  ventral  view. F. Telson  and  associated  structures,  ventral  view.  Not  to  scale.

Abbreviations: Co = collum; cx = coxa; ep = epiproct; fe = femur; h = head; hy = hypoproct; o = ozopore; pa = paraproct; pf = prefemur; po = postfemur; sti = stigma opening; s = setae; stp = sterite process; str = sternite; T = tergite; ta = tarsus; ti = tibia.

TIZIANO GOLLES, JEHOON YOO and THOMAS WESENER. 2026. Description before Extinction: A New Genus and Ninth Species of indigenous Polydesmida from Madagascar (Polydesmida: Dalodesmidae).  Zootaxa. 5807(1); 109-124. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5807.1.4  [2026-05-08]

[Diplopoda • 2026] Riukiaria langyaensis • A New Species of the Genus Riukiaria (Polydesmida: Xystodesmidae) from eastern China, with the characterization of its complete mitochondrial genome

Riukiaria langyaensis  Han & Wang, 

in Han, Liu, Wang et Dong, 2026. 

DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1272.182977

Abstract

This study describes a new millipede species of the genus Riukiaria from China: Riukiaria langyaensis sp. nov., and provides an identification key to all 19 Riukiaria species currently known from China. A systematic review was conducted on the 34 described Riukiaria species, and these species were classified into five categories based on the morphology of the male gonopod. The complete mitochondrial genome of this new species was sequenced and annotated for the first time, representing the first mitogenomic data reported for the genus Riukiaria. The mitogenome of R. langyaensis sp. nov. is 14,954 bp in length, containing 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, 2 rRNA genes, and a control region, with an overall A+T content of 65.8%. All 37 mitochondrial genes are encoded on the Heavy strand. The results help clarify the confused species relationships within Riukiaria and provide fundamental data for phylogenetic studies of Xystodesmidae.

Key words: Complete mitochondrial genome, identification key, millipede, mitogenome, Riukiaria, species description, taxonomy

Riukiaria langyaensis sp. nov. 
A. Live coloration; B. Live specimen under UV light.

Riukiaria langyaensis sp. nov. 
A. Posterior part of body, dorsal view; B. Midbody rings, dorsal view; C. Anterior part of body, dorsal view; D. Telson, ventral view; E. Both gonopods, ventral view; F. Rings 16–19 and telson, dorsal view. Scale bars: 1.0 mm.

Riukiaria langyaensis Han & Wang, sp. nov.

  

Diagnosis. This species closely resembles Riukiaria mundyi Korsós, Nakamura & Tanabe, 2011 in tergal features and body coloration. However, Riukiaria langyaensis sp. nov. differs by having a lighter body color than R. mundyi, with antennae and walking legs exhibiting a wheat-colored hue and the paratergal margins appearing translucent. In terms of gonopod structure, the prefemorite of Riukiaria langyaensis sp. nov. is similar to that of Riukiaria contigua (Wang, 1957), but its acropodite is more inflated and nearly spherical, with an indistinctly forked tip, and the prefemoral processes are completely missing.

 Zewu Han, Xin Liu, Jiajia Wang and Yan Dong. 2026. Description of A New Species of the Genus Riukiaria (Diplopoda, Polydesmida, Xystodesmidae) from eastern China, with the characterization of its complete mitochondrial genome. ZooKeys. 1272: 315-335.  DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1272.182977 [10 Mar 2026]

[Diplopoda • 2026] Rhopalomeris dulcia, R. lentiginosa, R. verhoeffi, ... • Five New Species of the Pill Millipede Genus Rhopalomeris Verhoeff, 1906 (Glomerida: Glomeridae) from Thailand

Rhopalomeris dulcia, 
R. verhoeffi  

Sapparojpattana & Likhitrakarn,

in Sapparojpattana, Jeratthitikul, Siriwut, Srisonchai, Wesener, Sutcharit et Likhitrakarn, 2026.  

DOI: doi.org/10.1163/18759866-bja10090 

 facebook.com/ASRUChula 

Abstract

An integrative approach based on morphological characteristics and DNA data from the mitochondrial COI gene has revealed five new species of the pill millipede genus Rhopalomeris Verhoeff, 1906 from Thailand: Rhopalomeris muka Sapparojpattana & Likhitrakarn, sp. nov., R. lentiginosa Sapparojpattana & Likhitrakarn, sp. nov., R. dulcia Sapparojpattana & Likhitrakarn, sp. nov., R. punctata Sapparojpattana & Likhitrakarn, sp. nov., and R. verhoeffi Sapparojpattana & Likhitrakarn, sp. nov. The five new species are distinguishable from their congeners by distinctive color patterns and telopod structure. The interspecific genetic divergences between the new species and other Rhopalomeris species ranged from 7.86 to 13.71%. Intraspecific genetic divergences within these five species ranged from 0 to 4.53%, with the highest divergences found in R. carnifex and R. verhoeffi sp. nov. This is consistent with both the wide distribution range and the significant intraspecific morphological variations observed in these latter two species. Furthermore, the taxonomic scope of R. carnifex in Thailand is reviewed, and intraspecific morphological variations within R. carnifex and R. verhoeffi sp. nov. are discussed. A distribution map, morphological illustrations from SEM, and an updated key to all known Rhopalomeris species are also provided.

Keywords: DNA barcoding; Indochina; integrative taxonomy; phylogeny; systematics

Rhopalomeris dulcia sp. nov., (A, B) paratype (MUMNH-GLO188), habitus, live coloration (C–E) ♀ paratype (MUMNH-GLO188), alcohol preserved, in dorsal, ventral, and lateral views (A) unrolled in sublateral view (B) rolled in sublateral view.

(A, B) image not to scale (C–E) scale bars: 2 mm

Rhopalomeris verhoeffi sp. nov., (A, B) paratype (MUMNH-GLO201), habitus, live coloration of color morph 2 (C–E) ♀ paratype (MUMNH-GLO201), alcohol preserved specimen of color morph 2 in dorsal, ventral, and lateral views (A) unrolled in sublateral view (B) rolled in sublateral view.

(A, B) image not to scale (C–E) scale bars: 2 mm

 Rhopalomeris muka Sapparojpattana & Likhitrakarn, sp. nov.

R. lentiginosa Sapparojpattana & Likhitrakarn, sp. nov. 

 R. dulcia Sapparojpattana & Likhitrakarn, sp. nov. 

 R. punctata Sapparojpattana & Likhitrakarn, sp. nov. 

 R. verhoeffi Sapparojpattana & Likhitrakarn, sp. nov. 

Distributions of currently known Rhopalomeris species in Thailand and Myanmar

(A) Bayesian inference tree focusing on the detailed topology of Rhopalomeris carnifex (Pocock, 1889) and R. verhoeffi sp. nov., with colored drawings illustrating the color variations within each species. All millipede drawings are not to scale.
(B, C) Maps of southern Thailand showing the distributions of color morphs for (B) R. carnifex and (C) R. verhoeffi sp. nov. The different shaded colors in each pie chart represent the proportion of the corresponding color morphs in that locality.

 Pichsinee Sapparojpattana, Ekgachai Jeratthitikul, Warut Siriwut, Ruttapon Srisonchai, Thomas Wesener, Chirasak Sutcharit, and Natdanai Likhitrakarn. 2026. Five New Species of the Pill Millipede Genus Rhopalomeris Verhoeff, 1906 (Diplopoda, Glomerida) from Thailand. Contributions to Zoology. 95(1); 52–102. DOI: doi.org/10.1163/18759866-bja10090 [20 Feb 2026]

 facebook.com/ASRUChula/posts/1351095590368500

***งานวิจัยใหม่: กิ้งกือกระสุนลูกกวาด 5 ชนิดใหม่ของโลกจากประเทศไทย
และการมีรูปแบบสีที่หลากหลายซึ่งพบในบางชนิด***

...

รายชื่อชนิดใหม่ดังนี้

.

1. 𝙍𝙝𝙤𝙥𝙖𝙡𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙨 𝙢𝙪𝙠𝙖 Sapparojpattana & Likhitrakarn, 2026
กิ้งกือกระสุนลูกกวาดมหิดลกาญจน์
 ค้นพบที่ มหาวิทยาลัยมหิดล วิทยาเขตกาญจนบุรี อำเภอไทรโยค จังหวัดกาญจนบุรี

2. 𝙍𝙝𝙤𝙥𝙖𝙡𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙨 𝙡𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙜𝙞𝙣𝙤𝙨𝙖 Sapparojpattana & Likhitrakarn, 2026
ค้นพบที่ ตำบลท่าขนุน อำเภอทองผาภูมิ จังหวัดกาญจนบุรี

3. 𝙍𝙝𝙤𝙥𝙖𝙡𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙨 𝙙𝙪𝙡𝙘𝙞𝙖 Sapparojpattana & Likhitrakarn, 2026
ค้นพบที่ ตำบลบ้านนา อำเภอเมืองชุมพร จังหวัดชุมพร

4. 𝙍𝙝𝙤𝙥𝙖𝙡𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙨 𝙥𝙪𝙣𝙘𝙩𝙖𝙩𝙖 Sapparojpattana & Likhitrakarn, 2026
ค้นพบที่ ตำบลไร่เก่า อำเภอสามร้อยยอด จังหวัดประจวบคีรีขันธ์

5. 𝙍𝙝𝙤𝙥𝙖𝙡𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙨 𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙝𝙤𝙚𝙛𝙛𝙞 Sapparojpattana & Likhitrakarn, 2026
ตั้งชื่อเป็นเกียรติแก่ Karl Wilhelm Verhoeff ผู้ตั้งสกุลกื้งกือกระสุนลูกกวาด 𝙍𝙝𝙤𝙥𝙖𝙡𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙨
ค้นพบครั้งแรกที่ น้ำตกกะทู้ อำเภอกะทู้ จังหวัดภูเก็ต และกระจายตัวหลายพื้นที่ในภาคใต้ของประเทศไทย 

[Diplopoda • 2025] Apterourus palomar • A third species of the rare Millipede Genus Apterourus Loomis, 1966 (Chordeumatida: Striarioidea: Apterouridae) from California, USA

Apterourus palomar Shear, Richart and Marek, 2025

 

journals.flvc.org/mundi

Abstract

The millipede genus Apterourus Loomis, 1966, the only genus of the family Apterouridae Loomis, 1966 (Diplopoda: Chordeumatida: Striarioidea), contains two species and is rarely collected. We add a third species from Mt. Palomar, San Diego County, California, USA, Apterourus palomar Shear, Richart and Marek, new species.

Keywords: New Species, Mt. Palomar, California

Apterourus palomar Shear, Richart and Marek, new species.

 William A. Shear, Casey H. Richart, Paul E. Marek. 2025. A third species of the rare Millipede Genus Apterourus Loomis, 1966 (Diplopoda: Chordeumatida: Striarioidea: Apterouridae) Insecta Mundi. 1159: 1–7. [November 28, 2025] 

https://journals.flvc.org/mundi/article/view/140680

https://www.facebook.com/groups/205802113162102/posts/1957847614624201/

[Diplopoda • 2025] Yuennanina sirindhornae • Review of the Flat Back Millipede Genus Yuennanina Attems, 1936 (Polydesmida: Paradoxosomatidae), with the Description of a New Species from Thailand

 

Yuennanina sirindhornae 

Likhitrakarn, Golovatch & Panha, 2025

กิ้งกือตะเข็บเจ้าฟ้า  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.58837/tnh.25.8.266228

Abstract

The millipede genus Yuennanina Attems, 1936 has been known so far only from Yunnan Province, southwestern China. Currently, it comprises three species: Y. ceratogaster Attems, 1936, Y. aceratogaster Zhang & Li, 1977, and Y. petalolobodes Chang & Zhang, 1989. Herein, we describe Yuennanina sirindhornae sp. nov., from Huai Nam Dang, Chiang Mai Province, northern Thailand, representing the first formal record of this genus not only from Thailand, but also from entire Southeast Asia. The new species is characterized by its unique gonopodal solenophore the shape of which resembles a young fern frond with fimbriate edges. A detailed redescription of the type species, Y. ceratogaster, is provided based on a revision of type material. An updated identification key to all four presently known Yuennanina species is also provided.

Keywords: arthropod, taxonomy, key

Yuennanina sirindhornae sp. nov., ♂ holotype.
A, B.habitus, live coloration

Yuennanina sirindhornae sp. nov.

Natdanai Likhitrakarn, Sergei Golovatch and Somsak Panha. 2025. Review of the Flat Back Millipede Genus Yuennanina Attems, 1936 (Polydesmida: Paradoxosomatidae), with the Description of a New Species from Thailand. Tropical Natural History. Supplement 8 (2025); 13-23. DOI: doi.org/10.58837/tnh.25.8.266228 [2025-10-14]

 

[Diplopoda • 2025] Coxobolellus sirindhornae • A New Thai Millipede Species of the Genus Coxobolellus (Spirobolida: Pseudospirobolellidae) from northern Thailand

Coxobolellus sirindhornae 

Pimvichai, Prasankok & Backeljau, 2025

 

กิ้งกือกระบอกหางมนสิรินธร || DOI: doi.org/10.58837/tnh.25.8.266861 

 facebook.com/ScienceMSU

Abstract

A new millipede species of the genus Coxobolellus is described from Mae Hong Son Province, Thailand: Coxobolellus sirindhornae sp. nov. The new species is defined by its gonopod morphology and COI DNA barcodes. These latter place the new species within the well-supported Coxobolellus clade. The new species exhibits four gonopod synapomorphies that are diagnostic for the genus: (1) a protruding process on the coxae of the 3rd (and sometimes 4th) pair of male legs, (2) large, triangular coxae on the 4th and 5th pairs of legs, (3) a short process on the preanal ring extending to or slightly beyond the anal valves, and (4) the posterior gonopod telopodite divided into two parts, with a conspicuous pore opening at the mesal margin at the end of the coxal part. The new species is included in an updated morphological identification key for all currently recognized Coxobolellus species.

Keywords: DNA barcoding, gonopod morphology, identification key, phylogeny

Live Coxobolellus sirindhornae sp. nov., holotype, (CUMZ-D00156) from Mae Hong Son Province (Photos by P. Pimvichai).

Coxobolellus sirindhornae sp. nov. 

กิ้งกือกระบอกหางมนสิรินธร

Piyatida Pimvichai, Pongpun Prasankok and Thierry Backeljau. 2025. A New Thai Millipede Species of the Genus Coxobolellus Pimvichai, Enghoff, Panha & Backeljau, 2020 (Diplopoda: Spirobolida: Pseudospirobolellidae). Tropical Natural History. Supplement 8 (2025): 38-51. DOI: doi.org/10.58837/tnh.25.8.266861 

 facebook.com/ScienceMSU/posts/1388774519701373

[Diplopoda • 2025] Thyropygus sirindhornae • Integrative Taxonomy of A New Millipede Species of the Genus Thyropygus Pocock, 1894 (Spirostreptida: Harpagophoridae) from Thailand

Thyropygus sirindhornae

 Pimvichai, Prasankok & Backeljau, 2025

 

กิ้งกือกระบอกหางแหลมสิรินธร || DOI: doi.org/10.58837/tnh.25.8.266935

Abstract

A new juliformian millipede species, Thyropygus sirindhornae sp. nov., is described from Chiang Rai Province, Thailand and assigned to the Thyropygus allevatus group based on two diagnostic gonopodal characters: (1) the gonopod telopodite with both tibial and femoral spines, and (2) a notably long tibial spine recurved toward the femoral spine. Despite its affiliation with the informal T. allevatus group, T. sirindhornae sp. nov. cannot be assigned to one of the four informal subgroups of the T. allevatus group because it lacks any of the diagnostic characters of these subgroups. Similarly, while the COI DNA barcode data support the distinctiveness of T. sirindhornae sp. nov. from other Thyropygus species within the T. allevatus group (mean interspecific sequence divergence of 0.16 ± 0.02, range: 0.12–0.19), they do not provide information about the sister group relationships or subgroup assignment of the new species. As a result, T. sirindhornae sp. nov. is tentatively assigned to the T. allevatus group, but is labelled as “incertae sedis” with respect to its sister group relations and subgroup classification. In fact, as the COI phylogeny only included species of the T. allevatus group, the assignment of T. sirindhornae sp. nov. to this informal species group needs to be confirmed by including representatives of other informal Thyropygus species groups.

Keywords: COI, gonopod, phylogeny

Thyropygus sirindhornae sp. nov., holotype, (CUMZ-D00157) from Chiang Rai Province, Thailand.

Thyropygus sirindhornae sp. nov.

กิ้งกือกระบอกหางแหลมสิรินธร

Etymology.– The species is named to honor Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn on the occasion of her 70th birthday, acknowledging her dedication to promoting biodiversity research and conservation initiatives in Thailand.

Piyatida Pimvichai, Pongpun Prasankok and Thierry Backeljau. 2025. Integrative Taxonomy of a New Thyropygus Pocock, 1894 Species from Thailand (Diplopoda: Spirostreptida: Harpagophoridae).  Tropical Natural History. Suppl. 8 (2025); 108-120. DOI: doi.org/10.58837/tnh.25.8.266935 [2025-10-14]

[Diplopoda • 2025] Desmoxytes chaofa & D. sirindhornae • Integrative Taxonomy Reveals Two New Dragon Millipede Species in the Genus Desmoxytes Chamberlin, 1923 (Polydesmida: Paradoxosomatidae) from Thailand

 

Desmoxytes chaofa  &  D. sirindhornae  Srisonchai, 
กิ้งกือมังกรเจ้าฟ้าหญิง   &   กิ้งกือมังกรสิรินธร 

in Srisonchai, Srikampha, Benchapong et Panha, 2025.

Tropical Natural History. Supplement 8; 

Abstract

Recent field surveys in northern Thailand led to the discovery of two remarkable new species of dragon millipede in the genus Desmoxytes Chamberlin, 1923. Using an integrative approach that combined morphological and molecular data, we confirmed the validity of these species, herein described as Desmoxytes chaofa Srisonchai, sp. nov. from Mae Hong Son Province and Desmoxytes sirindhornae Srisonchai, sp. nov. from Tak Province. To assess their systematic position and relationships, we conducted morphological examinations and reconstructed the phylogeny based on three gene fragments (COI, 16S rRNA, and 28S rRNA). Phylogenetic analysis supports the validity of these two new species, with genetic divergence in the COI gene clearly distinguishing them from congeners, ranging from 10.67–18.67% for D. chaofa Srisonchai, sp. nov. and 10.05–17.91% for D. sirindhornae Srisonchai, sp. nov. (mean = 14.71%). Notably, the phylogenetic tree aligns well with morphological characters, particularly those of the gonopod. Desmoxytes chaofa Srisonchai, sp. nov. is closely related to D. octoconigera Srisonchai, Enghoff & Panha, 2018, while D. sirindhornae Srisonchai, sp. nov. clusters together with D. des Srisonchai, Enghoff & Panha, 2016, both pairs exhibiting similarities in body colouration and gonopod telopodite. Based on current data, these two species are considered as narrow endemics and are restricted to limestone rock wall habitats. Complete morphological illustrations of the two new species and a distribution map of all Desmoxytes species are provided.

Keywords: biodiversity, evolution, karst, Southeast Asia, systematics

Photographs of live specimens and habitat of Desmoxytes chaofa sp. nov. (paratypes, MZKKU-MYR0014).(A) male paratype; (B) female paratype; (C) mating couple; (D, E) limestone habitat. Scale bars in centimetres.

Class Diplopoda de Blainville in Gervais, 1844

Order Polydesmida Leach, 1815

Family Paradoxosomatidae Daday, 1889

Genus Desmoxytes Chamberlin, 1923

Desmoxytes chaofa Srisonchai, sp. nov.

กิ้งกือมังกรเจ้าฟ้าหญิง

Etymology.–The originally Thai term ‘chaofa’, a noun in apposition, signifies a royal princess of the Thai monarchy and is bestowed in honour of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn. Renowned for her dedication to biodiversity research and environ-mental conservation, she has made significant contributions to these fields. With a profound passion for science and nature, she has actively supported research initiatives that deepen the understanding and preservation of Thailand’s rich biodiversity.

Photographs of live specimens and habitat of Desmoxytes sirindhornae sp. nov. (paratypes, MZKKU-MYR0016). (A) male paratype (B) female paratype (C) amorous couple of adults (D, E) limestone habitat. Scale bars in centimetres.

Desmoxytes sirindhornae Srisonchai, sp. nov.

กิ้งกือมังกรสิรินธร

Etymology.– This species is named in honour of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, whose remarkable contributions have significantly advanced biodiversity research and the preservation of Thailand’s natural heritage for future generations. Her unwavering commitment continues to inspire scientists, conservationists, and the public in efforts to safeguard the nation’s ecosystems. She has played a pivotal role in fostering scientific collaborations, supporting re-search institutions, and encouraging young scholars to pursue ecological and environmental studies. Her dedi-cation spans a wide range of conservation initiatives, including the protection of endangered species, forest conservation, and the promotion of sustainable resource management.

Ruttapon Srisonchai, Khanet Srikampha, Theemaporn Benchapong and Somsak Panha. 2025. Integrative Taxonomy Reveals Two New Dragon Millipede Species in the Genus Desmoxytes Chamberlin, 1923 from Thailand (Diplopoda: Polydesmida: Paradoxosomatidae). Tropical Natural History. Supplement 8; 79-107. DOI: 10.58837/tnh.25.8.266903  [2025-10-14]

https://li01.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/tnh/article/view/266903 

[Diplopoda • 2025] Rhopalomeris sirindhornae • A New Species of the Pill Millipede Genus Rhopalomeris Verhoeff, 1906 (Diplopoda: Glomerida) from Southern Thailand

 

Rhopalomeris sirindhornae 

Sapparojpattana, Jeratthitikul & Likhitrakarn, 2025 

กิ้งกือกระสุนพระรามเจ้าฟ้า  ||   Tropical Natural History. Supplement 8

  facebook.com/EkgachaiJeratthitikul

Abstract

A new species of pill millipede, Rhopalomeris sirindhornae sp. nov., is described from southern Thailand based on morphological characteristics and genetic barcoding. This species is distinguished from its congeners by light yellowish body with pale pink lateral margins on each tergum, a pair of black obtuse subtriangular patches on the dorsum, a pair of faded black dots on the lateral side of the thoracic shield, a light yellowish venter with faded light brown spots on pleurites 3–11, and a roundly triangular to spatulate syncoxital lobe of the telopod. Phylogenetic trees based on a fragment of the mitochondrial COI gene confirmed the entity of the new species and revealed a close relationship with R. carnifex and R. nigroflava. Interspecific genetic distances between R. sirindhornae sp. nov. and other Rhopalomeris species ranged from 9.97–14.36%, with the shortest distance to R. carnifex. Intraspecific genetic distances within each Rhopalomeris species ranged from 0–6.16%. A new distribution map of the presently known Rhopalomeris is also provided.

Keywords: Myriapoda, biodiversity, taxonomy, phylogeny, Indochina

Rhopalomeris sirindhornae sp. nov.
 A, B.paratypes (MUMNH–GLO189), habitus, live coloration; A.unrolled in sublateral view; B.rolled in sublateral view;
C–E.♀paratype (MUMNH–GLO189), alcohol preserved, in dorsal, ventral, and lateral views, respectively.

A, B.pictures taken without scale; C–E.scale bars: 2 mm.

Pichsinee Sapparojpattana, Ekgachai Jeratthitikul and Natdanai Likhitrakarn. 2025. A New Species of the Pill Millipede Genus Rhopalomeris Verhoeff, 1906 (Diplopoda, Glomerida) from Southern Thailand. Tropical Natural History. Supplement 8; 52-61. https://li01.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/tnh/article/view/266529 [2025-10-14]

 กิ้งกือกระสุนพระรามเจ้าฟ้า Rhopalomeris sirindhornae: 

กิ้งกือกระสุนขนาดเล็ก ความยาวลำตัวประมาณ 8-11 มิลลิเมตร มีสีสันและลวดลายสวยงาม ลำตัวสีเหลืองอ่อนและบริเวณด้านข้างของลำตัวมีสีแดงอมชมพู บนแผ่นเปลือกมีลายจุดวงรีสีดำ 1 คู่ที่บริเวณหลังตั้งแต่แผ่นเปลือกที่ 3-11 และลายจุดสีดำ 1 จุดที่ด้านข้าง กึ่งกลางของส่วนท้ายแผ่นเปลือกแต่ละแผ่นมีสีเหลือง แผ่นเปลือกแรกมีลวดลายเป็นแผ่นสีน้ำตาลดำขนาดใหญ่ 1 คู่ แผ่นเปลือกที่ 2 มีลายจุดสีดำจางๆที่ด้านข้าง ท้องมีจุดสีน้ำตาลอ่อนบนแผ่นเปลือกที่ 3-11 หัวสีน้ำตาลเข้ม กิ้งกือกระสุนชนิดนี้พบบริเวณเขาหินปูนในเขตจังหวัดชุมพรและสุราษฎร์ธานีในประเทศไทย

  facebook.com/EkgachaiJeratthitikul/posts/32993788623545210

[Diplopoda • 2025] Scaptodesmus manengouba, S. kala & S. vandenspiegeli • Taxonomic Review of the Afrotropical Millipede Genus Scaptodesmus Cook, 1896 (Polydesmida: Chelodesmidae), with Integrative Descriptions of Three New Species from Cameroon

  

Scaptodesmus manengouba

Scaptodesmus kala

Scaptodesmus vandenspiegeli

Fiemapong, Blandenier, Tamesse & Mitchell, 2025

 DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5696.3.3 

Abstract

The genus Scaptodesmus Cook, 1896, is revised based on recent material collected from Cameroon. Three new species are described and illustrated: Scaptodesmus kala sp. nov., S. manengouba sp. nov., and S. vandenspiegeli sp. nov. Additionally, the diagnoses of two old and well-defined species of the genus, S. porati Cook, 1896, and S. granulosus (Attems, 1931), are revised. The species Scaptodesmus dentatus Silvestri, 1909, previously regarded as incertae sedis, is here confirmed as such, since its taxonomic affiliation remains uncertain. An identification key to and a distribution map for all Scaptodesmus species known so far are provided. Barcoding base on COI sequencing was successfully performed for all three new species and compared with previously published sequences from the family Chelodesmidae. The results reveal that the three new species are all genetically distinct from one another. A maximum likelihood phylogenetic tree constructed using the dataset of available species resulted in a well-resolved and well-supported phylogeny. In all cases, barcoding data were consistent with traditional morphological taxonomic classifications. This work highlights the importance of integrated taxonomy in resolving relationships within millipede species groups below the family level.

Myriapoda, taxonomy, COI, DNA barcoding, millipede, Pepodesminae, Afrotropical Region

 

Scaptodesmus kala sp. nov,. female paratype (NHMN-62-4).
A, B & C. Habitus, dorsolateral, ventrolateral and lateral views, respectively. Scale bars: 1.0 mm.

Scaptodesmus manengouba sp. nov., male paratype (NHMN-62-11).
A. habitus, lateral view; B. ventral view, C. dorsal view. Scale bars: 1.0 mm (A, B , C)

Scaptodesmus vandenspiegeli sp. nov., male paratype (NHMN-62-14), habitus, dorsal view. Scale bar: 5 mm.

Armand Richard Nzoko FIEMAPONG, Quentin BLANDENIER, Joseph Lebell TAMESSE and Edward A. D. MITCHELL. 2025. Taxonomic Review of the Afrotropical Millipede Genus Scaptodesmus Cook, 1896 (Diplopoda, Polydesmida, Chelodesmidae), with Integrative Descriptions of Three New Species from Cameroon.  Zootaxa. 5696(3); 361-384. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5696.3.3 [2025-09-25]

[Diplopoda • 2025] Pleonaraius spelaeus • Into the Depths of Patagonia: The First Troglobitic Species of Pleonaraius Attems, 1898 (Polydesmida: Dalodesmidae) from Argentina

Pleonaraius spelaeus 

Romero-Rincon & Ferreira, 2025

 DOI: doi.org/10.3390/arthropoda3030013 

 Researchgate.net/publication/395231965

Abstract

A new troglobitic species of Dalodesmidae, Pleonaraius spelaeus n. sp., is described from Rolo Vergara Cave, Neuquén Province, Argentina. This species represents the fourth known troglobitic member of the family, the first troglobitic species of Dalodesmidae recorded in South America, and the first known troglobitic millipede from Argentina. Pleonaraius spelaeus n. sp. is distinguished from its congeners by the absence of cuticular pigmentation and a unique combination of gonopodal characters. Ecological notes, a key, and a distribution map of Pleonaraius species are also provided.

Keywords: cave; Diplopoda; key; new species; taxonomy

 (A) Aereal view of the area where the cave in which Pleonaraius spelaeus n. sp. was found (yellow arrow indicates the cave entrance); (B) cave entrance at the bottom of the sinkhole; (C) cave conduct where the specimens were found and collected; (D) living male.

Pleonaraius spelaeus n. sp.

Diagnosis. Based on the gonopodal conformation, the new species differs from its congeners by the following combination of characters: mb simple (vs. bifurcated and complex in P. omalonotus) and directed ventrad at its apex (vs. directed laterad in P. pachyskeles and P. omalonotus). lb simple with apex acuminate (vs. apex suberect in P. pachyskeles). Presence of pr as in P. pachyskeles (vs. absence in P. omalonotus).

Etymology. Spelaeus, adjective in the masculine gender. The epithet as a reference to the Latin word spelaeus, meaning “cave”.

Distribution. Only known from in Rolo Vergara Cave, municipality of Chos Malal, Neuquén Province, Argentina (Figure 5).

  Juan Romero-Rincon and Rodrigo Lopes Ferreira. 2025. Into the Depths of Patagonia: The First Troglobitic Species of Pleonaraius Attems, 1898 (Polydesmida, Dalodesmidae) from Argentina. Arthropoda. 3(3), 13. DOI: doi.org/10.3390/arthropoda3030013 [3 September 2025] 

 Researchgate.net/publication/395231965_The_First_Troglobitic_Pleonaraius_from_Argentina

[Diplopoda • 2023] Anaulacodesmus panterae & A. picassovallebuonai • Two New Species of Anaulacodesmus Attems, 1898 (Polydesmida: Dalodesmidae) from temperate forest fragments in southern Chile

 

  Anaulacodesmus panterae

Parra-Gómez, Pérez-Schultheiss, Means & Ivanov, 2023

DOI: doi.org/10.35249/rche.49.3.23.15 

 Researchgate.net/publication/373545657

Abstract

Two new endemic species of Anaulacodesmus Attems, 1898, a genus of millipede native to Chile, are described. Anaulacodesmus panterae sp. nov. and Anaulacodesmus picassovallebuonai sp. nov. were discovered in fragments of Valdivian temperate forest in southern Chile. These species can be separated from the rest of the congeners based on their larger size and gonopodal characters. A. panterae from Valdivia (Los Ríos Region), has distally swollen gonopods, a trait it shares with A. dahli Chamberlin, 1957 and a A. enkrates (Attems, 1898). Anaulacodesmus picassovallebuonai sp. nov., from Temuco and Lake Villarrica (La Araucanía Region), is morphologically similar to A. bifidus Golovatch, 2014 with which it shares the bifid structure of the telopodite. Detailed descriptions and character illustrations are provided for both species.

Keywords: Diplopoda, millipedes, Neotropics, South America, taxonomy

  Anaulacodesmus panterae sp. nov., paratypes, female and male.

 Scale: 4.0 mm. 

  Anaulacodesmus panterae sp. nov.
 A. Habitat. B-C. Habitus. 

Antonio Parra-Gómez, Jorge Pérez-Schultheiss, Jackson C. Means and Kaloyan Ivanov. 2023. Two New Species of Anaulacodesmus Attems, 1898 (Polydesmida: Dalodesmidae) from temperate forest fragments in southern Chile. REVISTA CHILENA DE ENTOMOLOGÍA. 49(3); 557-569. DOI: doi.org/10.35249/rche.49.3.23.15 [August 2023] 

 Researchgate.net/publication/373545657_Two_new_species_of_Anaulacodesmus_from_temperate_forest_fragments_in_southern_Chile

[Diplopoda • 2025] Orthomorpha tergoaurantia, O. efefai & O. battambangiensis • Review of the Millipede Genus Orthomorpha Bollman, 1893 (Polydesmida: Paradoxosomatidae) in Cambodia, with New Records and Descriptions of Three New Species

 

Orthomorpha tergoaurantia; 
O. efefai; O. battambangiensis 

Likhitrakarn, 

in Likhitrakarn, Golovatch, Thi, Sophea, Lou, Sinovas, Jeratthitikul, Pholyotha, Siriwut, Srisonchai, Panha et Sutcharit, 2025.

 DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1251.158776

Abstract

The Southeast Asian millipede genus Orthomorpha Bollman, 1893 currently encompasses 59 accepted species, including three newly described from Cambodia: Orthomorpha tergoaurantia Likhitrakarn, sp. nov., Orthomorpha efefai Likhitrakarn, sp. nov., and Orthomorpha battambangiensis Likhitrakarn, sp. nov. The new species are described based on distinctive morphological traits, with particular emphasis on gonopodal features. Species descriptions are accompanied by detailed illustrations and scanning electron micrographs (SEM) of the gonopods. An updated identification key to the known Orthomorpha species from Cambodia is also provided.

Key words: Asiomorpha, catalogue, distribution, key, morphology, Orthomorphini, taxonomy

Orthomorpha tergoaurantia Likhitrakarn, sp. nov., habitus, live coloration.
A. ♂ Paratype from Phnom Cheal Pagoda; B. ♀ Paratype from Phnom Chhngok Cave Temple; C. ♂ holotype from Prasat Phnom Totong Temple.

Habitus, live coloration.
A, B. Orthomorpha efefai Likhitrakarn, sp. nov.; A. ♂ holotype; B. ♂ holotype (above) and ♀ paratype from Neang Romsay Sak Cave;
C, D. Orthomorpha battambangiensis Likhitrakarn, sp. nov.; C. ♂ paratype; D. ♂ (above), ♀ paratypes from Phnom Kdoang Sampov.

 Natdanai Likhitrakarn, Sergei I. Golovatch, Sothearen Thi, Chhin Sophea, Vanny Lou, Pablo Sinovas, Ekgachai Jeratthitikul, Arthit Pholyotha, Warut Siriwut, Ruttapon Srisonchai, Somsak Panha and Chirasak Sutcharit. 2025. Review of the Millipede Genus Orthomorpha Bollman, 1893 (Diplopoda, Polydesmida, Paradoxosomatidae) in Cambodia, with New Records and Descriptions of Three New Species. ZooKeys. 1251: 251-274. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1251.158776