Oriulus venustus
(Wood, 1864)
Oriulus venustus is a in the Parajulidae. It is the sole species in the Oriulus and possesses the greatest distribution of any known North American diplopod, covering approximately three-fourths of the continental United States and adjacent southern Canada. The species exhibits anatomical uniformity across its broad range. measure 19–26 mm in length and 1.5–2.5 mm in width. Multiple junior synonyms have been synonymized under this name, reflecting historical taxonomic confusion.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Oriulus venustus: //ɔˈrjuː.ləs vɛˈnʊs.təs//
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Identification
Males can be distinguished by two diagnostic characters: an enlarged sternum 8 that extends dorsally into the body cavity, and sigmoid, crossing gonopodal telopodites. These features are not present in females. The ' broad geographic distribution and anatomical uniformity across distinguish it from more geographically restricted parajulid millipedes.
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Habitat
Found in a wide range of terrestrial environments across eastern and central North America. Specific microhabitat preferences are not well documented in available sources.
Distribution
Covers most of North America north of Mexico and east of the Rocky Mountains. Distribution becomes sporadic in the southeastern United States. Range extends across three-fourths of the continental United States and adjacent southern Canada, including records from Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan in Canada.