Rhysodesminae

Rhysodesminae
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Myriapoda
Class: Diplopoda
Order: Polydesmida
Family: Xystodesmidae
Subfamily: Rhysodesminae
Brolemann, 1916

Rhysodesminae is a subfamily of millipedes belonging to the family Xystodesmidae within the order Polydesmida.[1][2][3]

Description

Members of this group are characterized by their cylindrical bodies and colorful patterns, which are often aposematic, serving as a warning to potential predators. Millipedes in this subfamily are primarily distributed in North America, though their specific range and ecological niches vary.[4]

The group is notable for its intricate gonopods, the male reproductive structures, which are used as key diagnostic features in identifying species. Rhysodesminae millipedes are detritivores, feeding on decaying organic material and contributing to nutrient cycling within their ecosystems.[4][3]

Taxonomy

Rhysodesminae contains the following tribes:[2]

References

  1. ^ "Subfamily Rhysodesminae". iNaturalist. Retrieved 28 November 2024.
  2. ^ a b Sierwald, P.; Decker, P. & Spelda, J. (2024), "Rhysodesminae Brolemann, 1916", MilliBase, retrieved 2024-12-13
  3. ^ a b Jackson C Means, Derek A Hennen, Tsutomu Tanabe, Paul E Marek (1 March 2021). "Phylogenetic Systematics of the Millipede Family Xystodesmidae". Retrieved 29 November 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  4. ^ a b "Phylogenetic Systematics of the Millipede Family Xystodesmidae". Docslib. Retrieved 2024-11-29.


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