Paradoxosomatidae
Guides
Akamptogonus
A genus of flat-backed millipedes in the family Paradoxosomatidae, containing approximately 11 described species. The genus was established by Attems in 1914. Species occur across parts of Australia, New Guinea, and surrounding regions. As members of the Polydesmida, they possess a flattened body form with lateral extensions (paranota) on each body segment.
Akamptogonus novarae
Akamptogonus novarae is a flat-backed millipede in the family Paradoxosomatidae, first described from the Austro-Hungarian Novara expedition in 1869. The species exhibits a notably broad geographic distribution spanning Australia, North America, and Oceania, which is unusual for a millipede and suggests possible human-mediated dispersal. It belongs to the order Polydesmida, the largest order of millipedes, characterized by their flattened body form.
Orthomorpha
Orthomorpha is a genus of flat-backed millipedes in the family Paradoxosomatidae, comprising approximately 50 species native to Southeast Asia. Adults possess 20 body segments and range from 15–50 mm in length, with prominent lateral keels (paranota) that often display bright coloration. The genus includes both endemic tropical species and at least one species, O. coarctata, that has been widely introduced by humans to tropical regions worldwide. Several species are commonly found in human-modified environments including greenhouses and heated buildings.
Oxidus
greenhouse millipedes
Oxidus is a genus of flat-backed millipedes in the family Paradoxosomatidae, containing approximately nine described species, though recent revision recognizes five valid species with one species inquirenda. The genus is characterized by a cosmopolitan member, Oxidus gracilis (the greenhouse millipede), which has achieved global distribution in temperate and sub-tropical regions, while other species exhibit restricted endemic ranges. Phylogenetic analysis based on mitochondrial COI and 16S rRNA genes confirms Oxidus as monophyletic and closely related to the genus Tylopus. Species within the genus are distinguished primarily by gonopod morphology, coloration, and body size.
Oxidus gracilis
Greenhouse Millipede, Hothouse Millipede, Short-flange Millipede, Garden Millipede
Oxidus gracilis is a widely introduced millipede species in the family Paradoxosomatidae, native to Asia but established globally including North America, South America, Europe, and Pacific islands. It is commonly known as the greenhouse millipede due to its frequent occurrence in artificial environments. The species exhibits innate congregating behavior toward food resources and demonstrates generalist habitat use with no strong association to specific soil moisture, leaf litter, or rock cover conditions. It has been studied as a potential bioindicator for environmental pollution due to characteristic internal element composition.