New records of five polydesmidan millipedes (Diplopoda, Polydesmida) from the Ogasawara Islands, Japan, with notes on the postembryonic development of Prosopodesmus spp. (Haplodesmidae)

Researchers have uncovered five previously undocumented species of polydesmidan millipedes from the Ogasawara Islands, Japan, including Prosopodesmus jacobsoni, P. panporus, Cryptocorypha ornata, Dyskolonius uniramus, and Solaenaulus butteli. These findings double the known millipede diversity in the archipelago, with all species representing new records for Japan. Notably, specimens previously misidentified as Prosopodesmus sinuatus were corrected to Cryptocorypha ornata, while Solaenaulus butteli was confirmed from Chichi-jima Island. The study also examined postembryonic development in Prosopodesmus species, suggesting potential heterochronic shifts in sexual maturation. This research advances understanding of terrestrial invertebrate biodiversity in remote oceanic islands and highlights the importance of systematic surveys.

Chiyoda, S., Hisasue, Y., Yoshino, H., Kuwahara, R., & Miura, T. (2026). New records of five polydesmidan millipedes (Diplopoda, Polydesmida) from the Ogasawara Islands, Japan, with notes on the postembryonic development of Prosopodesmus spp. (Haplodesmidae). Biodiversity Data Journal, 14. https://doi.org/10.3897/bdj.14.e194219