Paeromopodidae
Cook, 1895
Paeromopodidae is a of large cylindrical in the Julida, to the western United States. The family contains two —Paeromopus and Californiulus—with ten described total. These millipedes represent the longest members of their order in North America, with maximum recorded lengths of 16.5 cm. They are distinguished from other western cylindrical millipedes by distinct parallel grooves () on their body rings.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Paeromopodidae: //paɪˌroʊmoʊˈpɒdɪdiː//
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Identification
Distinguished from other western cylindrical by the presence of parallel longitudinal grooves () on body rings. The two differ in size and distribution: Paeromopus are generally larger and restricted to California, while Californiulus species are smaller and occur across the full range. Among Californiulus, C. blechrostriatus is notable for inhabiting arid eastern Sierra slopes and Death Valley.
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Habitat
Found under rocks or moist, rotten logs rather than buried in leaf litter. Some , particularly in Californiulus, occupy drier microhabitats. C. blechrostriatus occurs in arid environments including Death Valley, with records up to 2,400 m elevation.
Distribution
to the western United States with two disjunct ranges: (1) Pacific coast from Washington through California's southern Sierra Nevada and Death Valley region, extending east to the Warner Mountains (California-Oregon-Nevada border); (2) extreme northeastern Oregon across the Idaho Panhandle to western Montana. Paeromopus: California only. Genus Californiulus: full range.
Behavior
Relatively active and fast-moving compared to other , with high body flexibility. Many shelter under surface objects rather than burrowing into substrate.
Similar Taxa
- Other Julida families in western North AmericaPaeromopodidae differs in having on body rings; most other cylindrical western lack this roughened texture.
More Details
Genera and species
Two : Paeromopus (4 : P. angusticeps, P. cavicolens, P. eldoradus, P. paniculus) and Californiulus (6 species: C. blechrostriatus, C. chamberlini, C. dorsovittatus, C. euphanus, C. parvior, C. yosemitensis).