[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] 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] 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

[Diplopoda • 2025] Tylopus tropicalis, T namnonensis & T. khikheb • Three New Species of the Oriental Millipede Genus Tylopus Jeekel, 1968 (Polydesmida: Paradoxosomatidae) from China and Laos

Likhitrakarn, Lips, Golovatch, Jeratthitikul, Panha & Sutcharit, 2025  

 

 sciencepress.mnhn.fr/en/periodiques/zoosystema/47 

  facebook.com/ASRUChula

Three new species of Tylopus Jeekel, 1968 are described, one from southwestern China, T. tropicalis Likhitrakarn, n. sp., and two from Laos, T. namnonensis Likhitrakarn, n. sp. and T. khikheb Likhitrakarn, n. sp. Keys are compiled to all nine and 15 species of Tylopus currently known to occur in China and Laos, respectively.

Keywords: Sulciferini, key, Indochina, endemism, new species

Natdanai LIKHITRAKARN, Josiane LIPS, Sergei I. GOLOVATCH, Ekgachai JERATTHITIKUL, Somsak PANHA and Chirasak SUTCHARIT. 2025. Three New Species of the Oriental Millipede Genus Tylopus Jeekel, 1968 (Diplopoda, Polydesmida, Paradoxosomatidae) from China and Laos. Zoosystema. 47(5); 75-88. https://sciencepress.mnhn.fr/en/periodiques/zoosystema/47  

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[Diplopoda • 2025] Hylomus piccolo & H. borealis • Two New Dragon Millipedes (Polydesmida: Paradoxosomatidae: Hylomus) from Limestone Mountains in northern Vietnam, with an identification key to Vietnamese Hylomus species [Mountainous Millipedes in Vietnam. III]

 Hylomus piccolo

 A. D. Nguyen, Vu & T.-A. T. Nguyen, 2025 

DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1223.139649 

Abstract

Two new species of the dragon millipede genus Hylomus Cook & Loomis, 1924 are described from mountainous areas in northern Vietnam, namely Hylomus piccolo sp. nov. and Hylomus borealis sp. nov. The COI barcodes are provided for these species, and an identification key is presented to all Vietnamese Hylomus species.

Key words: Biodiversity, COI barcode, mountainous fauna, Southeast Asia, taxonomy

 Hylomus piccolo sp. nov., holotype (IEBR-Myr 904H)
A, B anterior-most body part, lateral view (A), ventral view (B)
C head, anterior view D body rings 8–10, dorsal view.

Scale bars: 1 mm.

Class Diplopoda de Blainville in Gervais, 1844

Order Polydesmida Pocock, 1887

Family Paradoxosomatidae Daday, 1889

Genus Hylomus Cook & Loomis, 1924

 Hylomus piccolo sp. nov.

Etymology: The name refers to “piccolo”, a main character of the Japanese manga “Dragon balls” by Toriyama Akira (Japan). Noun in apposition.

 Hylomus borealis sp. nov.

Etymology: An adjective epithet “borealis” refers to the northern-most province (Cao Bang) of Vietnam, the type locality.

 Anh D. Nguyen, Tam T. T. Vu and Thu-Anh T. Nguyen. 2025. Mountainous Millipedes in Vietnam. III. Two New Dragon Millipedes from Limestone Mountains in northern Vietnam (Polydesmida, Paradoxosomatidae, Hylomus), with an identification key to Vietnamese Hylomus species. ZooKeys. 1223: 247-262. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1223.139649 

[Diplopoda • 2018] Nagaxytes acantherpestes, N. erecta, N. gracilis & N. spatula • The New Genus Nagaxytes gen. nov. (Polydesmida: Paradoxosomatidae), with the Description of Three New Species [A Revision of Dragon Millipedes II]

 Nagaxytes gracilis Srisonchai, Enghoff & Panha, 
 N. erecta Srisonchai, Enghoff & Panha, 

in Srisonchai, Enghoff, Likhitrakarn et Panha, 2018. 

DOI:  10.5852/ejt.2018.462 

Abstract

The ‘acantherpestes’ group of dragon millipedes, formerly placed in the genus Desmoxytes Chamberlin, 1923, is revised and assigned to the new genus Nagaxytes Srisonchai, Enghoff & Panha gen. nov. Desmoxytes acantherpestes Golovatch & Enghoff, 1994 is the type species of the new genus and is redescribed as N. acantherpestes (Golovatch & Enghoff, 1994) gen. et comb. nov. Three new species are described from Thailand: N. erecta Srisonchai, Enghoff & Panha gen. et sp. nov. and N. gracilis Srisonchai, Enghoff & Panha gen. et sp. nov. from Kanchanaburi Province, and N. spatula Srisonchai, Enghoff & Panha gen. et sp. nov. from Tak Province. All new species are endemic to western Thailand and all are restricted to limestone habitats. Complete illustrations of external morphological characters, an identification key, and a distribution map are provided.

Keywords: endemic; dragon millipede; new species; taxonomy; Thailand

Taxonomy

Class Diplopoda Blainville-Gervais, 1844

Order Polydesmida Pocock, 1887

Suborder Strongylosomatidea Brölemann, 1916

Family Paradoxosomatidae Daday, 1889

Subfamily Paradoxosomatinae Daday, 1889

Tribe Orthomorphini Brölemann, 1916

 General body characters of Nagaxytes Srisonchai, Enghoff & Panha gen. nov.
 N. acantherpestes (Golovatch & Enghoff, 1994) gen. et comb. nov., ♂, holotype, Prachuap Khiri Khan Province, Hua Hin District (ZMUC 000101457).
A. Entire body. B. Anterior body part. C. Body rings 5–8, showing sternal lobe between coxae 4 and gonopods on ring 7. D. Head and antennae.

Genus Nagaxytes Srisonchai, Enghoff & Panha gen. nov.

Type species: Desmoxytes acantherpestes Golovatch & Enghoff, 1994

Diagnosis: 

The genus Nagaxytes gen. nov. is characterized by:

1. Paraterga subspiniform.

2. Metaterga with 2 rows of tubercles/cones/spines (lateral spines of posterior row very long).

3. Male femora 5 and 6 without modification.

4. Postfemoral part of gonopod conspicuous, demarcated from femur by a deep mesal sulcus and a

shallow/deep lateral sulcus.

5. Lamina lateralis obviously separated from lamina medialis.

6. Lamina medialis long and curved, apically fringed/hooked.

Etymology: ‘Naga’ is a Sanskrit and Pali word, relating to a category of snake-like spirits in Buddhist and Hindu mythology, and refers to the snake-like shape of the lamina medialis of the gonopod; ‘-xytes’ ensures harmony with Desmoxytes (and its synonym Pteroxytes Jeekel, 1980).

Included species (4): 

- N. acantherpestes (Golovatch & Enghoff, 1994) gen. et comb. nov.

- N. erecta Srisonchai, Enghoff & Panha gen. et sp. nov.

- N. gracilis Srisonchai, Enghoff & Panha gen. et sp. nov.

- N. spatula Srisonchai, Enghoff & Panha gen. et sp. nov.

Remarks: Srisonchai et al. (2018) proposed to subdivide Desmoxytes sensu Golovatch & Enghoff (1994) into five genera. The ‘acantherpestes’ group (= Nagaxytes) is well-defined by several distinct morphological characters (see diagnosis), especially the distinctive subspiniform paraterga and the very long lamina medialis of the gonopods. Even though the subspiniform paraterga are relatively similar to those of the ‘gigas’ group, the gonopod details are very different.

Distribution and habitat: This genus is known only from the western part of Thailand: Prachuap Khiri Khan Province (Hua Hin and Kui Buri Districts), Kanchanaburi Province (Sai Yok and Thong Pha Phum Districts) and Tak Province (Mae Sot and Umphang Districts) (Fig. 27). All four species seem to be local endemics, highly restricted to limestone habitats, and all have narrow distribution ranges. The specimens were usually found on humid rocks, rock walls, leaf litter or surface roots of trees. Some species can be found syntopically in the same habitat with other dragon millipede species.

Nagaxytes acantherpestes (Golovatch & Enghoff, 1994) gen. et comb. nov. 

 

Diagnosis: Metaterga 4–19 with one row of 2+2 posterior spines (anterior row absent). Similar in this respect to N. gracilis gen. et sp. nov. but differs from this species by having paraterga shorter; degree of elevation of paraterga lower; sternal lobe between male coxae 4 subtrapeziform; lamina lateralis swollen, stout, short.

Live photographs and habitat of Nagaxytes erecta Srisonchai, Enghoff & Panha gen. et sp. nov.
A. Specimen from Ban Nong Bang, Thailand (♀). B. Mating couple. C. ♂ with parasitic mites. D. Habitat.

Nagaxytes erecta Srisonchai, Enghoff & Panha gen. et sp. nov. 

Etymology The name is a Latin adjective and refers to the erect lamina lateralis of the gonopod telopodite. 

 Nagaxytes gracilis Srisonchai, Enghoff & Panha gen. et sp. nov., ♂, paratype (CUMZpxDGT00095).

Watercolour by R. Srisonchai and P. Kriatpraprai.

Nagaxytes gracilis Srisonchai, Enghoff & Panha gen. et sp. nov. 

 

Etymology The name is a Latin adjective, referring to the slender lamina lateralis of the gonopod telopodite.

Distribution and habitat: Nagaxytes gracilis gen. et sp. nov. is known only from Sai Yok District, Kanchanaburi Province. All specimens were collected on humid rocks, superficial tree roots and litter in limestone habitats. It lives in the same habitat with D. purpurosea, D. golovatchi Srisonchai, Enghoff & Panha, 2018 and N. erecta gen. et sp. nov. (q.v.). The new species occurs in a narrow distribution area along the huge limestone range which is entirely contained within Sai Yok District. We thus consider this species to be endemic to Kanchanaburi Province, Thailand.

Nagaxytes spatula Srisonchai, Enghoff & Panha gen. et sp. nov.  

Etymology The name is a Latin noun in apposition, referring to the spatulate lobe on the lamina lateralis.

Distribution and habitat Known only from Tak Province. Almost all specimens were seen crawling on rocks, some on leaf litter in limestone habitats. Some juveniles were collected from the leaf litter (probably in moulting chambers). In the field, the specimens blended perfectly with brown rocks and leaf litter.

Ruttapon Srisonchai, Henrik Enghoff, Natdanai Likhitrakarn and Somsak Panha. 2018. A Revision of Dragon Millipedes II: The New Genus Nagaxytes gen. nov., with the Description of Three New Species (Diplopoda, Polydesmida, Paradoxosomatidae).  European Journal of Taxonomy. 462; 1–44. DOI:  10.5852/ejt.2018.462

  facebook.com/Likhitrakarn/posts/10218372042919451

   

[Diplopoda • 2018] Desmoxytes aurata, D. corythosaurus, D. octoconigera, ... • A Revision of Dragon Millipedes I: Genus Desmoxytes Chamberlin, 1923 (Polydesmida: Paradoxosomatidae), with the Description of Eight New Species

Desmoxytes aurata Srisonchai, Enghoff & Panha,  

D. corythosaurus Srisonchai, Enghoff & Panha,

D. euros Srisonchai, Enghoff & Panha,  

in Srisonchai, Enghoff, Likhitrakarn et Panham 2018. 

DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.761.24214 

Abstract

The dragon millipede genus Desmoxytes s.l. is split into five genera, based on morphological characters and preliminary molecular phylogenetic analyses. The present article includes a review of Desmoxytes s.s., while future articles will deal with Hylomus Cook and Loomis, 1924 and three new genera which preliminarily are referred to as the ‘acantherpestes’, ‘gigas’, and ‘spiny’ groups. Diagnostic morphological characters of each group are discussed. Hylomus is resurrected as a valid genus and the following 33 species are assigned to it: H. asper (Attems, 1937), comb. n., H. cattienensis (Nguyen, Golovatch & Anichkin, 2005), comb. n., H. cervarius (Attems, 1953), comb. n., H. cornutus (Zhang & Li, 1982), comb. n., H. draco Cook & Loomis, 1924, stat. rev., H. enghoffi (Nguyen, Golovatch & Anichkin, 2005), comb. n., H. eupterygotus (Golovatch, Li, Liu & Geoffroy, 2012), comb. n., H. getuhensis (Liu, Golovatch & Tian, 2014), comb. n., H. grandis (Golovatch, VandenSpiegel & Semenyuk, 2016), comb. n., H. hostilis (Golovatch & Enghoff, 1994), comb. n., H. jeekeli (Golovatch & Enghoff, 1994), comb. n., H. lingulatus (Liu, Golovatch & Tian, 2014), comb. n., H. laticollis (Liu, Golovatch & Tian, 2016), comb. n., H. longispinus (Loksa, 1960), comb. n., H. lui (Golovatch, Li, Liu & Geoffroy, 2012), comb. n., H. minutuberculus (Zhang, 1986), comb. n., H. nodulosus (Liu, Golovatch & Tian, 2014), comb. n., H. parvulus (Liu, Golovatch & Tian, 2014), comb. n., H. phasmoides (Liu, Golovatch & Tian, 2016), comb. n., H. pilosus (Attems, 1937), comb. n., H. proximus (Nguyen, Golovatch & Anichkin, 2005), comb. n., H. rhinoceros (Likhitrakarn, Golovatch & Panha, 2015), comb. n., H. rhinoparvus (Likhitrakarn, Golovatch & Panha, 2015), comb. n., H. scolopendroides (Golovatch, Geoffroy & Mauriès, 2010), comb. n., H. scutigeroides (Golovatch, Geoffroy & Mauriès, 2010), comb. n., H. similis (Liu, Golovatch & Tian, 2016), comb. n., H. simplex (Golovatch, VandenSpiegel & Semenyuk, 2016), comb. n., H. simplipodus (Liu, Golovatch & Tian, 2016), comb. n., H. specialis (Nguyen, Golovatch & Anichkin, 2005), comb. n., H. spectabilis (Attems, 1937), comb. n., H. spinitergus (Liu, Golovatch & Tian, 2016), comb. n., H. spinissimus (Golovatch, Li, Liu & Geoffroy, 2012), comb. n. and H. variabilis (Liu, Golovatch & Tian, 2016), comb. n. Desmoxytes s.s. includes the following species: D. breviverpa Srisonchai, Enghoff & Panha, 2016; D. cervina (Pocock,1895); D. delfae (Jeekel, 1964); D. des Srisonchai, Enghoff & Panha, 2016; D. pinnasquali Srisonchai, Enghoff & Panha, 2016; D. planata (Pocock, 1895); D. purpurosea Enghoff, Sutcharit & Panha, 2007; D. takensis Srisonchai, Enghoff & Panha, 2016; D. taurina (Pocock, 1895); D. terae (Jeekel, 1964), all of which are re-described based mainly on type material. Two new synonyms are proposed: Desmoxytes pterygota Golovatch & Enghoff, 1994, syn. n. (= Desmoxytes cervina (Pocock, 1895)), Desmoxytes rubra Golovatch & Enghoff, 1994, syn. n. (= Desmoxytes delfae (Jeekel, 1964)). Six new species are described from Thailand: D. aurata Srisonchai, Enghoff & Panha, sp. n., D. corythosaurus Srisonchai, Enghoff & Panha, sp. n., D. euros Srisonchai, Enghoff & Panha, sp. n., D. flabella Srisonchai, Enghoff & Panha, sp. n., D. golovatchi Srisonchai, Enghoff & Panha, sp. n., D. octoconigera Srisonchai, Enghoff & Panha, sp. n., as well as one from Malaysia: D. perakensis Srisonchai, Enghoff & Panha, sp. n., and one from Myanmar: D. waepyanensis Srisonchai, Enghoff & Panha, sp. n. The species can mostly be easily distinguished by gonopod structure in combination with other external characters; some cases of particularly similar congeners are discussed. All species of Desmoxytes s.s. seem to be endemic to continental Southeast Asia (except the ‘tramp’ species D. planata). Some biological observations (relationship with mites, moulting) are recorded for the first time. Complete illustrations of external morphological characters, an identification key, and distribution maps of all species are provided.

Keywords: aposematic, dragon millipede, new species, Southeast Asia, taxonomy

Photographs of live Desmoxytes aurata sp. n. and habitat.
A, B male paratype C female paratype D mating couple E habitat.

Photographs of live Desmoxytes corythosaurus sp. n. and habitat
A, B male paratypes C female paratype D juvenile E habitat.

Photographs of live Desmoxytes euros sp. n. and habitat.
A, B male paratypes C female paratype D juvenile E egg cluster F cluster of stadium 1 juveniles G habitat.

 Ruttapon Srisonchai, Henrik Enghoff, Natdanai Likhitrakarn and Somsak Panha. 2018. A Revision of Dragon Millipedes I: Genus Desmoxytes Chamberlin, 1923, with the Description of Eight New Species (Diplopoda, Polydesmida, Paradoxosomatidae). ZooKeys. 761: 1-177. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.761.24214 

[Diplopoda • 2023] Siamaxytes bifurca • Molecular Phylogeny of Dragon Millipedes (Polydesmida: Paradoxosomatidae) from mainland South-East Asia, with Description of A New Genus and Species

 

 Siamaxytes bifurca Srisonchai & Panha,  

in Srisonchai, Enghoff, Likhitrakarn, Jeratthitikul, Jirapatrasilp, Panha et Sutcharit, 2023. 

กิ้งกือมังกรสยามสองแง่ง  ||  DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlad164 

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Abstract

Recent taxonomic revision of the strikingly ornamented millipedes known as ‘dragon millipedes’ in the family Paradoxosomatidae, has revealed generic division into six genera. The majority of species are distributed in mainland South-East Asia and each genus is restricted to a well-delimited area. However, their evolutionary history has remained poorly understood, particularly the relationships among genera and their biogeographic distribution. We present a comprehensive and well-resolved molecular phylogeny based on mitochondrial and nuclear genes. A dataset of 256 sequences representing 40 dragon millipede species was newly generated and analysed in order to reveal the relationships and to explore the origin using ancestral range reconstruction. All dragon millipedes were retrieved together as monophyletic, each genus except Hylomus forming a distinct clade with strong statistical values, supporting the previous classification using morphology. A new monotypic genus and new species, Siamaxytes bifurca Srisonchai and Panha gen. nov. et sp. nov., was revealed based on distinct morphological and DNA data. The Tenasserim mountain range was inferred to be the centre of origin of dragon millipedes with a series of subsequent diversifications across mainland South-East Asia. Our analysis provides evidence that both dispersal and vicariance presumably played a role in shaping these millipedes’ distribution and diversification.

biogeography, distribution patterns, endemism, systematics, ancestral state reconstruction

กิ้งกือมังกรสยามสองแง่ง Siamaxytes bifurca Srisonchai & Panha, 2023
ค้นพบที่ถ้ำเสือดาว อ.ไทรโยค จ.กาญจนบุรี

 

Ruttapon Srisonchai, Henrik Enghoff, Natdanai Likhitrakarn, Ekgachai Jeratthitikul, Parin Jirapatrasilp, Somsak Panha and Chirasak Sutcharit. 2023. Molecular Phylogeny of Dragon Millipedes (Diplopoda: Polydesmida: Paradoxosomatidae) from mainland South-East Asia, with Description of A New Genus and Species. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. zlad164. DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlad164

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[Diplopoda • 2019] Antheromorpha nguyeni • A New Species and A New Record of the Southeast Asian Millipede Genus Antheromorpha Jeekel, 1968 (Polydesmida: Paradoxosomatidae) from Vietnam

Antheromorpha nguyeni 

Likhitrakarn, Golovatch, Semenyuk & Panha, 2019

 DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.832.32596

Abstract

Antheromorpha nguyeni sp. n. is described and illustrated from Kon Ka Kinh National Park, southern Vietnam. The new species is distinguished by a peculiar colour pattern showing a uniformly black-brown body contrasting with yellow-brown paraterga and epiproct, as well as in the pointed gonopodal process being unusually short, only approximately half as long as the solenophore. In addition, an identification key to all 13 presently known species, all mapped, is given. A new record of A. festiva is provided from southern Vietnam.

Keywords: Antheromorpha, millipede, new species, Orthomorphini, taxonomy, Vietnam

 

Antheromorpha nguyeni sp. n., ♂ holotype.
A habitus, live coloration; B, C anterior part of body, dorsal and lateral views, respectively D, E segments 10 and 11, dorsal and lateral views, respectively F, G, H posterior part of body, dorsal, ventral and lateral views, respectively I, J sternal cones between coxae 4, subcaudal and sublateral views, respectively.

Natdanai Likhitrakarn, Sergei I. Golovatch, Irina Semenyuk and Somsak Panha. 2019. A New Species and A New Record of the Southeast Asian Millipede Genus Antheromorpha Jeekel, 1968 (Polydesmida, Paradoxosomatidae) from Vietnam. ZooKeys. 832: 77-89.  DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.832.32596

[Diplopoda • 2018] Antheromorpha pumatensis • On the Millipede Genus Antheromorpha Jeekel, 1968 (Polydesmida: Paradoxosomatidae) from Vietnam, with A Description of A New Species

 Antheromorpha  pumatensis 

A.D. Nguyen, S. G. Nguyen & Le, 2018

  RAFFLES BULLETIN OF ZOOLOGY. 66 

Abstract

 The genus Antheromorpha Jeekel, 1968 is reviewed for the Vietnam fauna. A total of four species have been recorded in Vietnam, including a new species, Antheromorpha pumatensis, new species from Nghe An Province. Two other species, A. paviei (Brölemann, 1896) and A. festiva (Brölemann, 1896) are recorded for the first time in Vietnam. The phylogenetic relationship between Antheromorpha species and several orthomorphinine members is analysed based on fragments of the Cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) and 16S rRNA mitochondrial genes. Antheromorpha is closely related to the two genera Orthomorpha and Nesorthomorpha. An identification key to species is also provided.

 Key words. Diplopoda, millipede, Paradoxosomatidae, Antheromorpha, new species, molecular phylogeny, Vietnam

 Antheromorpha pumatensis, new species, from Pu Mat National Park, habitus. No scale.

 Antheromorpha pumatensis, new species from Pu Mat National Park.
 Anterior part of body, dorsal (A); lateral (B) and ventral view (C); Midbody part, dorsal (D) and lateral view (E); posterior part of body, dorsa (F); lateral (G) and ventral view (H); Epiproct, dorsal (I) and ventral view (K); hypoproct, ventral view (J); sternum 5th, subventral view (L).

Anh D. Nguyen, Son G. Nguyen and Son X. Le. 2018. On the Millipede Genus Antheromorpha Jeekel, 1968 (Diplopoda: Polydesmida: Paradoxosomatidae) from Vietnam, with A Description of A New Species.  RAFFLES BULLETIN OF ZOOLOGY. 66; 96–109. 

lkcnhm.nus.edu.sg/app/uploads/2018/01/66rbz096-109.pdf

Researchgate.net/publication/323336945_On_the_millipede_genus_Antheromorpha_from_Vietnam

[Diplopoda • 2023] Tylopus bokorensis & T. panhai • Uncovering Endemism in High Montane Forests: Two New Species of Millipede Genus Tylopus Jeekel, 1968 (Polydesmida: Paradoxosomatidae) from Cambodia and Laos

Tylopus panhai Srisonchai & Likhitrakarn,

in Srisonchai, Inkhavilay, Ngor, Sutcharit et Likhitrakarn, 2023. 

Tropical Natural History. Supplement 7 

tci-thaijo.org/index.php/TNH

Abstract

Two new species of the predominantly Indochinese to southern Chinese millipedes belonging to the genus Tylopus Jeekel, 1968 are described: Tylopus bokorensis sp. nov. from southern Cambodia, and T. panhai sp. nov. from southern Laos. These species can be clearly discriminated from congeners by the shape of processes on postfemoral part of the gonopod in combination with some distinct somatic characters. Tylopus bokorensis sp. nov. is the first in this genus to be found in Cambodia. Both species inhabit montane habitats more than 1,000 m above mean sea level, and we regard them as endemic to these countries. An identification key and distribution map of Tylopus occurring in Cambodia and Laos are provided.

Keywords: biodiversity, endemic species, Southeast Asia, Sulciferini

Photographs of live specimens and habitat.
A, B. Tylopus bokorensis sp. nov. E. habitat of T. bokorensis sp. nov.
C, D. Tylopus panhai sp. nov.

Tylopus bokorensis Srisonchai and Likhitrakarn, sp. nov.

Tylopus panhai Srisonchai and Likhitrakarn, sp. nov.

Ruttapon Srisonchai, Khamla Inkhavilay, Peng Bun Ngor, Chirasak Sutcharit and Natdanai Likhitrakarn. 2023. Uncovering Endemism in High Montane Forests: Two New Species of Millipede Genus Tylopus Jeekel, 1968 (Diplopoda: Polydesmida: Paradoxosomatidae) from Cambodia and Laos. Tropical Natural History. Supplement 7;151-164

  li01.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/TNH/article/view/258821

[Diplopoda • 2022] Malayorthomorpha halabala & M. hulutbeeda • Review of the Millipede Genus Malayorthomorpha Mršić, 1996 (Diplopoda: Polydesmida: Paradoxosomatidae), with Descriptions of Two New Species from Thailand and A Key to its Species

Malayorthomorpha halabala

Likhitrakarn, Golovatch & Sittichaya, 2022

กิ้งกือตะเข็บฮาลาบาลา  ||  DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1118.89593

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Abstract

The millipede genus Malayorthomorpha Mršić, 1996, so far monospecific and previously known only from Park Belum, Perak State, northern Malaysia, is recorded from a mountain in Betong District, Yala Province, southern Thailand for the first time, being represented there by two new species: M. halabala sp. nov. and M. hulutbeeda sp. nov. Both new species are found to occur syntopically and can be assumed as narrowly endemic to the Titiwangsa Mountain Range which begins in southern Thailand, crosses the Malaysian border, and extends into east and west coast regions of the Malay Peninsula. In addition, the generic diagnosis is slightly updated, and a key to all three species is provided.

Keywords: Malaysia, Malayorthomorpha halabala sp. nov., Malayorthomorpha hulutbeeda sp. nov., Orthomorphini, taxonomy

Family Paradoxosomatidae Daday, 1889

Subfamily Paradoxosomatinae Daday, 1889

Tribe Orthomorphini Brölemann, 1916

Genus Malayorthomorpha Mršić, 1996

Malayorthomorpha halabala sp. nov., ♂ holotype
A, B anterior part of body, dorsal and lateral views, respectively C, D segments 10 and 11, dorsal and lateral views, respectively E–G posterior part of body, lateral, dorsal and subventral views, respectively H, I sternal cones between coxae 4, subcaudal and sublateral views, respectively.

Habitat at the type locality of Malayorthomorpha halabala sp. nov., ♀
A live colouration B, C elfin montane forest floor and collecting the specimens

B, C pictures taken not to scale.   

 Malayorthomorpha halabala sp. nov. 

 

Diagnosis: This new species seems to be particularly similar to M. siveci Mršić, 1996, with which it shares most of the gonopodal characters. It differs from M. siveci by the wider body, 2.7–3.2 mm (vs smaller, 1.2 mm), the colour pattern which is uniformly red brown with lighter red brown paraterga (Fig. 3A–F) (vs a light brown body with the collum and caudal edges of metazonae margined darker brown; Fig. 1A), as well as the pleurosternal carinae present until segment 11 (vs until segment 5), the sternal lobe between ♂ coxae 4 with a pair of small cones laterally near base (Fig. 3E, H, I) (vs absent, Fig. 1D), and the tip of the gonopod with a denticulate margin (Figs 4A, B, 5C, D) (vs smooth and rounded; Fig. 1E–G).

 Etymology: To emphasize Hala-Bala Wildlife Sanctuary, the type locality. Noun in apposition.

Malayorthomorpha hulutbeeda sp. nov., ♂ holotype
A, B anterior part of body, dorsal and lateral views, respectively C, D segments 10 and 11, dorsal and lateral views, respectively E–G posterior part of body, lateral, dorsal and subventral views, respectively H, I sternal cones between coxae 4, subcaudal and sublateral views, respectively

 Malayorthomorpha hulutbeeda sp. nov.

 

Diagnosis: This new species is distinguished from its two congeners in sternal process between male coxae 4 linguiform with a rounded tip, and lamina lateralis of gonopodal solenophore triangular, apically bifid and protruded laterally.

Etymology: To emphasize “hulutbeeda” which means “flat-back millipede” in Malay dialect, a noun in apposition. A Malay dialect language is mainly used in three provinces of southern Thailand where the holotype was obtained.

Remark: This species was found living together with M. halabala sp. nov. Moreover, according to our observations, they may even occur syntopically, sharing the same habitat: leaf litter surface, branches of trees and tree trunks.

 Natdanai Likhitrakarn, Sergei I. Golovatch and Wisut Sittichaya. 2022. Review of the Millipede Genus Malayorthomorpha Mršić, 1996 (Diplopoda, Polydesmida, Paradoxosomatidae), with Descriptions of Two New Species from Thailand and A Key to its Species. ZooKeys. 1118: 1-19. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1118.89593

1. 𝑀𝑎𝑙𝑎𝑦𝑜𝑟𝑡ℎ𝑜𝑚𝑜𝑟𝑝ℎ𝑎 ℎ𝑎𝑙𝑎𝑏𝑎𝑙𝑎 Likhitrakarn, Golovatch & Sittichaya, 2022 

กิ้งกือตะเข็บฮาลาบาลา 

ตั้งชื่อตามพื้นที่เขตรักษาพันธุ์สัตว์ป่าฮาลา-บาลา ซึ่งเป็นผืนป่าที่ค้นพบกิ้งกือชนิดนี้ 

2. 𝑀𝑎𝑙𝑎𝑦𝑜𝑟𝑡ℎ𝑜𝑚𝑜𝑟𝑝ℎ𝑎 ℎ𝑢𝑙𝑢𝑡𝑏𝑒𝑒𝑑𝑎 Likhitrakarn, Golovatch & Sittichaya, 2022 

กิ้งกือตะเข็บฮาลุตบีดา 

โดยคำว่า "hulutbeeda" เป็นภาษาท้องถิ่นที่แปลว่ากิ้งกือตะเข็บ

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