Anthroleucosomatidae
Verhoeff, 1899
Anthroleucosomatidae is a of small to -sized in the Chordeumatida, with approximately 19 and at least 40 described . The family exhibits a core distribution centered on the Balkans and Caucasus region, extending eastward to Iran and central Siberia, with one highly disjunct North species in Washington State. Many species are troglobionts (obligate cave-dwellers), including the world's deepest-occurring millipede, Heterocaucaseuma deprofundum, found below 2,000 meters in Krubera-Voronja Cave. The family shows exceptional diversity in the Caucasus, where 15 new genera and 36 new species were described in a single monograph.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Anthroleucosomatidae: //ˌænθroʊˌluːkoʊsoʊˈmætɪdiː//
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Identification
Members of Anthroleucosomatidae can be distinguished from other Chordeumatida by the structure of the male , particularly the ninth pair of legs ( gonopods), which vary significantly among . In Leschius mcallisteri, the posterior gonopods uniquely lack any trace of a —a feature not seen elsewhere in the . The family generally comprises small to -sized with relatively low numbers compared to other millipede families. Troglomorphic often exhibit reduced pigmentation and elongated appendages. Identification to genus and species level requires examination of male gonopod , with available for Caucasian and other regional faunas.
Images
Habitat
range from epigean (surface) environments including forest soils and yew-boxtree groves to deep subterranean caves. Many are troglobionts, restricted to karst cave systems. The includes the world's deepest-occurring , found in caves extending below 2,000 meters depth. Cave-dwelling species occur in major karst massifs including the Racha, Sataplia-Tskaltubo, and Zemo Imereti plateaus in Georgia, as well as caves throughout the western Caucasus, Abkhazia, and Serbia. Some species are known from only single cave systems.
Distribution
Core distribution in the Balkan Peninsula, ranging eastward through the Caucasus to Iran and central Siberia. The Caucasus region represents a major hotspot for the , with extensive radiations in Georgia, Abkhazia, and adjacent areas. Disjunct occurrence in North America: Leschius mcallisteri from near Olympia, Washington, USA. Additional records from Serbia, Croatia, Albania, Turkey, Cyprus, Israel, and Azerbaijan (Lenkoran zone). Distribution includes both surface and subterranean , with many exhibiting narrow ranges restricted to single caves or karst systems.
Behavior
Troglobiotic exhibit behavioral to subterranean life, including presumed reduced activity patterns and reliance on chemosensory rather than visual cues. The presence of ectoparasitic of the has been documented on Heterocaucaseuma deprofundum in Krubera-Voronja Cave, indicating - associations in deep cave . Surface-dwelling species likely exhibit typical behaviors, though specific behavioral observations remain limited.
Similar Taxa
- MastigophorophyllidaeFormerly included the Metamastigophorophyllon, now transferred to Anthroleucosomatidae based on revised ; distinguished by structure and geographic distribution.
- Other Chordeumatida familiesAnthr oleucosomatidae differs in male , particularly the structure of the ninth leg pair ( gonopods), which shows -specific modifications including the unique loss in Leschius.
More Details
Taxonomic Revisions
Significant recent taxonomic changes include: Metamastigophorophyllon Ceuca, 1976 established as senior synonym of Persedicus Mauriès, 1982, and transferred from Mastigophorophyllidae to Anthroleucosomatidae; new combinations Heterocaucaseuma mauriesi (ex Anamastigona) and Metamastigophorophyllon martensi (ex Persedicus). The is classified into eight complexes in the Caucasus: Alloiopus, Caucaseuma, Dentatosoma, Enghoffiella, Flagellophorella, Herculina, Ratcheuma, and Vegrandosoma complexes.
Cave Adaptations
Multiple lineages within Anthroleucosomatidae have independently evolved troglomorphy, including reduced , depigmentation, and elongated appendages. The Heterocaucaseuma contains the world's deepest-occurring (H. deprofundum) and shows progressive to deep subterranean . The presence of on deep-cave suggests complex subterranean interactions.
Sources and further reading
- BugGuide
- GBIF taxonomy match
- iNaturalist taxon
- NCBI Taxonomy
- Catalogue of Life
- The milliped family Anthroleucosomatidae new to North America: Leschius mcallisteri, n. gen., n. sp. (Diplopoda: Chordeumatida: Anthroleucosomatoidea)
- The Caucasus as a major hotspot of biodiversity: Evidence from the millipede family Anthroleucosomatidae (Diplopoda, Chordeumatida)
- Four new cavernicolous species of the genus Acanthophorella Antić & Makarov, 2016 (Diplopoda, Chordeumatida, Anthroleucosomatidae) from Georgia, Caucasus
- Review of the genus Acanthophorella Antić & Makarov, 2016 (Diplopoda, Chordeumatida, Anthroleucosomatidae), with descriptions of three new species from the Caucasus
- Genus Belbogosoma Curcic and Makarov, 2008, with descriptions of new troglobitic species from east Serbia, Balkan peninsula (Diplopoda: Chordeumatida: Anthroleucosomatidae)
- From the depths: Heterocaucaseuma deprofundum sp. nov., the world's deepest-occurring millipede (Diplopoda, Chordeumatida, Anthroleucosomatidae) from caves in the western Caucasus
- Dazbogosoma mokoshae, a new cavernicolous species of the previously monospecific genus Dazbogosoma Makarov & Ćurčić, 2012, from Serbia (Diplopoda: Chordeumatida: Anthroleucosomatidae)
- Review of the genus Caucaseuma Strasser, 1970, with the description of a new cavernicolous species from the Western Caucasus and an updated key and distribution (Diplopoda, Chordeumatida, Anthroleucosomatidae)