Paranota
Guides
Boraria deturkiana
Boraria deturkiana is a species of flat-backed millipede in the family Xystodesmidaedescribed by Causey in 1942. The genus Boraria is part of the tribe Rhysodesmini within the subfamily Rhysodesminae. Like other members of the order Polydesmida, this species possesses laterally expanded dorsal segments (paranota) that give it a flattened appearance. The taxonomic status of this species has been debated, with some sources treating it as a synonym of Howellaria deturkiana.
Boraria infesta
Boraria infesta is a species of flat-backed millipede in the family Xystodesmidae, native to southeastern North America. It belongs to a group of polydesmidan millipedes that produce hydrogen cyanide as a chemical defense and display aposematic coloration warning predators of their toxicity. The species is part of a genus closely related to other cyanide-producing millipedes including Apheloria and Pleuroloma.
Cherokia georgiana georgiana
Cherokia georgiana georgiana is a millipede subspecies in the family Xystodesmidae, characterized by its black body with yellow wedge-shaped posterolateral markings and a wrinkled dorsal surface. It belongs to the order Polydesmida, a group distinguished by lateral expansions of dorsal segments into "paranota" that give a flattened appearance. Like other members of its genus and related genera, it produces hydrogen cyanide (HCN) as a chemical defense against predators, with its bright coloration serving as aposematic warning signals.
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.
Polydesmida
Flat-backed Millipedes
Polydesmida is the largest order of millipedes, containing over 5,000 described species. Members are commonly known as flat-backed millipedes due to the presence of lateral keels (paranota) on most body segments. This order includes all millipedes known to produce hydrogen cyanide (HCN) as a chemical defense. Polydesmids are found on every continent except Antarctica and exhibit the highest morphological diversity among millipede orders. They are characterized by a unique developmental mode called teloanamorphosis, in which adults reach a fixed number of segments and cease molting.
Xystodesmini
Xystodesmini is a tribe of flat-backed millipedes within the family Xystodesmidae, order Polydesmida. The tribe was established by Hoffman in 1978 and contains multiple genera of medium to large-sized millipedes found primarily in North America. Members are characterized by their flattened bodies with lateral extensions (paranota) and often display aposematic coloration. The tribe is well-represented in citizen science observations, with over 18,000 records on iNaturalist.