Oriulus
Chamberlin, 1940
Species Guides
1Oriulus is a of millipedes in the Parajulidae, order Julida. Taxonomic revision indicates the genus is , with Oriulus venustus as the sole valid ; other previously described species have been synonymized. O. venustus possesses the greatest known distribution of any North American , spanning approximately three-fourths of the continental United States and adjacent southern Canada. The genus was established by Chamberlin in 1940.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Oriulus: /ˈɔriʊləs/
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Identification
Identification to requires examination of and other anatomical features characteristic of Parajulidae. The genus has been described as anatomically uniform, suggesting limited morphological differentiation among . Definitive identification relies on reference to the neotype designated for Iulus venustus from West Frankfort, Illinois.
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Distribution
Oriulus venustus, the sole in this , occurs across approximately three-fourths of the continental United States and adjacent southern Canada, representing the broadest distribution of any known North American diplopod.
Similar Taxa
- ParajulusFormerly considered distinct; Parajulus rugosus Bollman has been synonymized under O. venustus, indicating historical confusion between these parajulid .
- AniulusShares tribe Aniulini and Parajulinae; distinguished by specific and anatomical characters.
Misconceptions
The was formerly considered to contain eight (O. delus, O. eutypus, O. georgicolens, O. grandiceps, O. grayi, O. medianus, O. notus, and O. venustus), but taxonomic revision has synonymized all under O. venustus, rendering Oriulus .
More Details
Taxonomic revision
Based on Chamberlin (2001), Canadian Journal of Zoology 79(12): 2273-2282. DOI: 10.1139/z01-205. A neotype was designated for Iulus venustus from West Frankfort, Franklin County, Illinois.