Myrmecodesmus

Silvestri, 1910

A of small-bodied polydesmid in the Pyrgodesmidae. Established by Silvestri in 1910 with a myrmecophilous from central Veracruz, Mexico. The genus has undergone extensive taxonomic revision, with numerous genera synonymized under it by Shear (1977). Currently includes at least 28 species distributed from Mexico through South America and into the Caribbean.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Myrmecodesmus: /ˌmɜːrmɪkoʊˈdɛzməs/

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Identification

Small-bodied polydesmids. Traditional generic characters in this include pore presence and distribution, presence of ozophores (defensive glands), number, and body ornamentation, though these have been questioned and revised repeatedly. Specific diagnostic features for the require examination of and other detailed anatomical characters.

Habitat

Primarily . have been collected in caves and in association with nests.

Distribution

Mexico ( locality central Veracruz), with distributed through much of South America and the Caribbean (first recorded from Martinique in 2016). GBIF records indicate presence in Louisiana and Texas, USA.

Host Associations

ants - myrmecophilousStrongly associated with nests; the name reflects this relationship

Behavior

Myrmecophilous— live in close association with colonies. Some species also associated with nests.

Similar Taxa

Ilyma Chamberlin, 1941Synonymized with Myrmecodesmus by Hoffman (1973), adding five to the
Other Pyrgodesmidae generaUp to 11 additional were synonymized with Myrmecodesmus by Shear (1977), reflecting revised interpretation of traditionally used characters such as pore distribution and ozophore presence

More Details

Taxonomic history

The was created in 1910 and remained with two until 1973. Hoffman (1973) synonymized Ilyma, increasing species to seven. Shear (1977) performed a major revision, synonymizing up to 11 genera and listing 25 species. Hoffman (1999) raised this to 28. The 2014 Zootaxa paper addressed a nomenclatural homonymy requiring a replacement name for M. potosinus (Shear) 1973.

Nomenclatural issues

The name Myrmecodesmus potosinus was used twice: by Chamberlin (1943) and Shear (1973), creating a homonym that required resolution through replacement naming.