Introduction

The Lepismatidae are a cosmopolitan family found in the warmer parts of all zoogeographic regions. They are most often collected in drier habitats and are very common in low rainfall areas. The family is relatively homogeneous with over 200 species described in 34 genera. Mendes (1991) tentatively proposed six subfamilies.

Paclt (1967) reviewed the world literature in great detail. Recent works by Mendes, Irish and Bach de Roca have added many new genera and species. The Australian fauna, with 15 described species from seven genera, is not well known. Womersley (1939) reviewed the Australian fauna, but species in undescribed genera have since been collected. Heterolepisma and Acrotelsella species dominate the fauna. Irish is currently revising the Australian Acrotelsella species and comments that other genera, including Xenolepisma, are represented in Australian collections.

Lepismatids are small to medium in size (5–21 mm), somewhat flattened and tapering posteriorly. The body is covered in scales, and setae may be arranged into brushes or combs which provide useful taxonomic features. Antennae are generally 0.5 to 2 times head and body length; cerci and appendix dorsalis are subequal and also usually quite long, although in some species they are very short. The legs are quite long due to the enlarged coxae but lie flattened and folded beneath the body. The coxae slot into cavities between the plate-like sterna and the body. The number of abdominal styli is usually reduced to a few pairs and exsertile vesicles are absent. Compound eyes are present but somewhat reduced. Ocelli are absent. Juveniles resemble the adults.

Lepismatids are generally collected in leaf litter, under stones or logs, and in nests of mammals, birds or other insects. Some species are inquilines with ants or termites and several species have become common household pests. Sweetman (1938) and Lindsay (1940) described the biology of two peridomestic species.

The nomenclature of the genus Thermobia and its type species is still a subject of confusion; there appears to be little reason not to accept the long forgotten senior synonym Lepismodes Newman (and its type species Lepismodes inquilinus Newman, 1863) as the valid name. This case is to be referred to the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature for a ruling. The existing usage of Thermobia Bergroth, however, is used in this work, following Irish (1988).

General References

Irish, J. 1988. Revision of Thermobia Bergroth (Thysanura: Lepismatidae). Cimbebasia 10: 15-30

Lindsay, E. 1940. The biology of the silverfish Ctenolepisma longicaudata Esch., with particular reference to its feeding habits. Proceedings of the Royal Society of Victoria 52: 35-83

Mendes, L.F. 1991. On the phylogeny of the genera of Lepismatidae (Insecta: Zygentoma). pp. 3-13 in Veeresh, G.K., Rajagopal, D. & Viraktamath, C.A. (eds). Advances in Management and Conservation of Soil Fauna. New Delhi : Oxford & IBH Publishing Co. Pty Ltd.

Paclt, J. 1967. Thysanura, Fam. Lepidotrichidae, Maindroniidae, Lepismatidae. Genera Insectorum 218: 1-86

Sweetman, H.L. 1938. Physical ecology of the firebrat, Thermobia domestica (Packard). Ecological Monographs 8: 285-311

Womersley, H. 1939. Primitive Insects of South Australia. Silverfish, Springtails and their allies. Adelaide : Frank Trigg, Government Printer 322 pp. 1 pl.

History of changes

History of changes

Taxonomic Decision for Subgeneric Arrangement

• Irish, J. 1987. Revision of the genus Ctenolepisma Escherich (Thysanura: Lepismatidae) in Southern Africa. Cimbebasia 7: 147-207 [149]

Distribution

States

Australian Capital Territory, Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia

IBRA

ACT, NT, Qld, SA, Tas, WA: Central Mackay Coast (CMC), Darwin Coastal (DAC), Dampierland (DL), Mitchell Grass Downs (MGD), Wet Tropics (WT) ; ACT, Qld, SA, Tas, Vic, WA: Australian Alps (AA), Flinders (FLI), Murray Darling Depression (MDD), Naracoorte Coastal Plain (NCP), South East Coastal Plain (SCP), South East Corner (SEC), South Eastern Highlands (SEH), Victorian Midlands (VM), Victorian Volcanic Plain (VVP) ; ACT, Qld, SA, Tas, WA: Arnhem Coast (ARC), Arnhem Plateau (ARP), Avon Wheatbelt (AW), Brigalow Belt North (BBN), Brigalow Belt South (BBS), Ben Lomond (BEL), Broken Hill Complex (BHC), Burt Plain (BRT), Central Arnhem (CA), Carnarvon (CAR), Channel Country (CHC), Central Kimberley (CK), Coolgardie (COO), Cobar Peneplain (CP), Central Ranges (CR), Cape York Peninsula (CYP), Daly Basin (DAB), Desert Uplands (DEU), Davenport Murchison Ranges (DMR), Darling Riverine Plains (DRP), Einasleigh Uplands (EIU), Esperance Plains (ESP), Eyre Yorke Block (EYB), Finke (FIN), Flinders Lofty Block (FLB), Gascoyne (GAS), Gawler (GAW), Gibson Desert (GD), Gulf Fall and Uplands (GFU), Geraldton Sandplains (GS), Great Sandy Desert (GSD), Gulf Coastal (GUC), Gulf Plains (GUP), Great Victoria Desert (GVD), Hampton (HAM), Jarrah Forest (JF), Kanmantoo (KAN), King (KIN), Little Sandy Desert (LSD), MacDonnell Ranges (MAC), Mallee (MAL), Mount Isa Inlier (MII), Mulga Lands (ML), Murchison (MUR), Nandewar (NAN), New England Tablelands (NET), Northern Kimberley (NK), NSW North Coast (NNC), NSW South Western Slopes (NSS), Nullarbor (NUL), Ord Victoria Plain (OVP), Pine Creek (PCK), Pilbara (PIL), Riverina (RIV), Sydney Basin (SB), South Eastern Queensland (SEQ), Simpson Strzelecki Dunefields (SSD), Stony Plains (STP), Sturt Plateau (STU), Swan Coastal Plain (SWA), Tanami (TAN), Tasmanian Central Highlands (TCH), Tiwi Cobourg (TIW), Tasmanian Northern Midlands (TNM), Tasmanian Northern Slopes (TNS), Tasmanian South East (TSE), Tasmanian Southern Ranges (TSR), Tasmanian West (TWE), Victoria Bonaparte (VB), Warren (WAR), Yalgoo (YAL)

Other Regions

Lord Howe Island terrestrial & freshwater, Norfolk Island terrestrial & freshwater

General References

Smith, G.B. 2016. On some Silverfish Taxa from Tasmania (Zygentoma: Lepismatidae and Nicoletiidae). Records of the Australian Museum 68(2): 45–80 [65]

History of changes

• Ctenolepisma Escherich, K. 1905. Das System der Lepismatiden. Zoologica (Stuttgart) 43: 1-164 [75].

  Type species:

   Lepisma lineata Fabricius, 1775 by subsequent designation, see Paclt, J. 1967. Thysanura, Fam. Lepidotrichidae, Maindroniidae, Lepismatidae. Genera Insectorum 218: 1-86.
• Peliolepisma Ritter, W. 1910. Neue Thysanuren und Collembolan aus Ceylon und Bombay, gesammelt von Dr. Uzel. Annalen des Naturhistorischen Hofmuseums in Wien 24: 379–398 [380].

Taxonomic Decision for Synonymy

• Paclt, J. 1967. Thysanura, Fam. Lepidotrichidae, Maindroniidae, Lepismatidae. Genera Insectorum 218: 1-86 (synonmised Peliolepisma with Ctenolepisma)

Distribution

States

Australian Capital Territory, Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Worldwide.

IBRA

ACT, NT, Qld, SA, Tas, WA: Central Mackay Coast (CMC), Darwin Coastal (DAC), Dampierland (DL), Mitchell Grass Downs (MGD), Wet Tropics (WT) ; ACT, Qld, SA, Tas, Vic, WA: Australian Alps (AA), Flinders (FLI), Murray Darling Depression (MDD), Naracoorte Coastal Plain (NCP), South East Coastal Plain (SCP), South East Corner (SEC), South Eastern Highlands (SEH), Victorian Midlands (VM), Victorian Volcanic Plain (VVP) ; ACT, Qld, SA, Tas, WA: Arnhem Coast (ARC), Arnhem Plateau (ARP), Avon Wheatbelt (AW), Brigalow Belt North (BBN), Brigalow Belt South (BBS), Ben Lomond (BEL), Broken Hill Complex (BHC), Burt Plain (BRT), Central Arnhem (CA), Carnarvon (CAR), Channel Country (CHC), Central Kimberley (CK), Coolgardie (COO), Cobar Peneplain (CP), Central Ranges (CR), Cape York Peninsula (CYP), Daly Basin (DAB), Desert Uplands (DEU), Davenport Murchison Ranges (DMR), Darling Riverine Plains (DRP), Einasleigh Uplands (EIU), Esperance Plains (ESP), Eyre Yorke Block (EYB), Finke (FIN), Flinders Lofty Block (FLB), Gascoyne (GAS), Gawler (GAW), Gibson Desert (GD), Gulf Fall and Uplands (GFU), Geraldton Sandplains (GS), Great Sandy Desert (GSD), Gulf Coastal (GUC), Gulf Plains (GUP), Great Victoria Desert (GVD), Hampton (HAM), Jarrah Forest (JF), Kanmantoo (KAN), King (KIN), Little Sandy Desert (LSD), MacDonnell Ranges (MAC), Mallee (MAL), Mount Isa Inlier (MII), Mulga Lands (ML), Murchison (MUR), Nandewar (NAN), New England Tablelands (NET), Northern Kimberley (NK), NSW North Coast (NNC), NSW South Western Slopes (NSS), Nullarbor (NUL), Ord Victoria Plain (OVP), Pine Creek (PCK), Pilbara (PIL), Riverina (RIV), Sydney Basin (SB), South Eastern Queensland (SEQ), Simpson Strzelecki Dunefields (SSD), Stony Plains (STP), Sturt Plateau (STU), Swan Coastal Plain (SWA), Tanami (TAN), Tasmanian Central Highlands (TCH), Tiwi Cobourg (TIW), Tasmanian Northern Midlands (TNM), Tasmanian Northern Slopes (TNS), Tasmanian South East (TSE), Tasmanian Southern Ranges (TSR), Tasmanian West (TWE), Victoria Bonaparte (VB), Warren (WAR), Yalgoo (YAL)

Other Regions

Lord Howe Island terrestrial & freshwater, Norfolk Island terrestrial & freshwater

Distribution References

General References

Smith, G.B. 2016. On some Silverfish Taxa from Tasmania (Zygentoma: Lepismatidae and Nicoletiidae). Records of the Australian Museum 68(2): 45–80 [65]

History of changes

• Lepisma lineata Fabricius, J.C. 1775. Systema Entomologiae, sistens Insectorum Classes, Ordines, Genera, Species, adiectis Synonymis, Locis, Descriptionibus, Observationibus. Flensburgi et Lipsiae [= Flensburg & Leipzig] : Kortii xxxii 832 pp. [Date published 17 April] [300].

  Type data:

   Status unknown, whereabouts unknown, Switzerland (as Helvetiae).
• Lepisma vittata Fabricius, J.C. 1798. Supplementum Entomologiae Systematicae. Hafniae : Proft et Storch ii 573 pp. [199].

  Type data:

   Status unknown, whereabouts unknown, Italy.

  Type locality references:

  Irish, J. in Smith, G.B. 1998. Zygentoma. pp. 7-20, 404-406 (Index) in Houston, W.W.K. & Wells, A. (eds). Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Archaeognatha, Zygentoma, Blattodea, Isoptera, Mantodea, Dermaptera, Phasmatodea, Embioptera, Zoraptera. Melbourne : CSIRO Publishing, Australia Vol. 23 xiii 464 pp.

  Secondary source:

   Paclt, J. 1967. Thysanura, Fam. Lepidotrichidae, Maindroniidae, Lepismatidae. Genera Insectorum 218: 1-86.
• Lepisma subvittata Guérin, F.E. 1838. Iconographie du Règne animal de G. Cuvier 7. 3: 9–10. [10].

  Type data:

   Status unknown, whereabouts unknown, Paris.

  Secondary source:

   Lucas, H. 1840. Histoire naturelle des Crustacés, des Arachnides et des Myriapodes. Paris : Duméril 600 pp.
• Lepisma annuliseta Lucas, H. 1840. Histoire naturelle des Crustacés, des Arachnides et des Myriapodes. Paris : Duméril 600 pp. [560].

  Type data:

   Status unknown, whereabouts unknown, Paris.
• Lepisma pilifera Lucas, H. 1840. Histoire naturelle des Crustacés, des Arachnides et des Myriapodes. Paris : Duméril 600 pp. [560].

  Type data:

   Status unknown, whereabouts unknown, Egypt.
• Lepisma nicoletii Lucas, H. 1846. Notes sur quelques espèces nouvelles d'insectes qui habitent les possessions françaises du Nord de l'Afrique. Revue de Zoologie, Paris 9: 252-256 [253].

  Type data:

   Status unknown, whereabouts unknown, Oran, Algeria.
• Lepisma mauritanica Lucas, H. 1846. Notes sur quelques espèces nouvelles d'insectes qui habitent les possessions françaises du Nord de l'Afrique. Revue de Zoologie, Paris 9: 252-256 [254].

  Type data:

   Status unknown, whereabouts unknown (possibly in 'Paris Museum' but badly damaged, see Escherich, K. 1905. Das System der Lepismatiden. Zoologica Stuttgart 43: 1–164), Algeria (as Algiers).
• Lepisma parisiensis Nicolet, H. 1847. Essai sur une classification des insectes aptères de l'ordre des Thysanoures. Annales de la Société Entomologique de France 2 5: 335-395 [351].

  Type data:

   Status unknown, whereabouts unknown, Paris (as Lutecia).
• Lepisma quadriseriata Packard, A.S. 1873. Synopsis of the Thysanura of Essex County, Mass., with descriptions of a few extralimital forms. Annual Report of the Peabody Academy of Sciences 5: 23-51 [47].

  Type data:

   Status unknown, whereabouts unknown, Salem, Providence, New Haven, Knoxville, USA.
• Lepisma eatoni Ridley, H.N. 1881. Notes on Thysanura collected in the Canaries and Madeira. Entomologist's Monthly Magazine 18: 14 [14].

  Type data:

   Status unknown, whereabouts unknown, Santa Cruz de Teneriffe and Safi, Morocco.
• Lepisma rubroviolacea Schött, H. 1897. North American Apterygogenea. Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences 2 6: 169-196 [190].

  Type data:

   Neotype CAS 6233, Cabazon, Riverside Co., California.

  Subsequent designation references:

  Wall, W. 1954. A redescribed species and a new genus and species of the family Lepismatidae in California. Pan-Pacific Entomologist 30: 72-76 [72] (evidently Schött's types were lost in the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and fire).
• Lepisma reticulata Schött, H. 1897. North American Apterygogenea. Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences 2 6: 169-196 [192].

  Type data:

   Status unknown, (presumably destroyed), San Francisco, California.

Taxonomic Decision for Synonymy

• Paclt, J. 1967. Thysanura, Fam. Lepidotrichidae, Maindroniidae, Lepismatidae. Genera Insectorum 218: 1-86 [42]

Distribution

States

Victoria

Extra Distribution Information

Cosmopolitan.

Introduced.

IBRA

Vic: Australian Alps (AA), Flinders (FLI), Murray Darling Depression (MDD), Naracoorte Coastal Plain (NCP), South East Coastal Plain (SCP), South East Corner (SEC), South Eastern Highlands (SEH), Victorian Midlands (VM), Victorian Volcanic Plain (VVP)

Original AFD Distribution Data

Australian Region

• Australia
  • Victoria: SE coastal

Ecological Descriptors

Omnivore, peridomestic.

Extra Ecological Information

Free-living in Mediterranean, Middle East and SW USA, otherwise peridomestic.

History of changes

• Ctenolepisma longicaudata Escherich, K. 1905. Das System der Lepismatiden. Zoologica (Stuttgart) 43: 1-164 [83].

  Type data:

   Lectotype ZMH ♀ (in alcohol, labial palp on slide), Bothaville, Orange Free State (as Orange-Freistaat), South Africa.
  Paralectotype(s) ZMH 12 specimens (in alcohol).

  Subsequent designation references:

  Paclt, J. 1966. Neue Beiträge zur Kenntnis der Apterygoten-Sammlung des Zoologischen Staatsinstituts und Zoologischen Museums Hamburg. II. Lepismatidae und Maindroniidae (Thysanura). Entomologische Blätter 3: 147-162 [152].
• Ctenolepisma urbana Slabaugh, R.E. 1940. A new Thysanuran, and a key to the domestic species of Lepismatidae (Thysanura) found in the United States. Entomological News 51: 95-98 [95].

  Type data:

   Holotype INHS ♀, Urbana, Illinois, USA.
  Paratype(s) INHS ♂ (described); INHS 2♂ 2♀; MCZ ♂ ♀; USNM 53977 2♂ 2♀.
• Lepisma transcaucasica Nasanov, N.V. 1886. [Thysanura Kavkaza] Izvestiya Imperatorskago Obshchestva Lyubitelei Estestvoznaniya 50. Trudy Zoologicheskogo Instituta 1: 307 [307] [nomen nudum].

  Secondary source:

   Nasanov, N.V. 1887. [Thysanura Kavkaza] Izvestiya Imperatorskago Obshchestva Lyubitelei Estestvoznaniya 52. Trudy Osboi Zoologicheskoi Laboratorii I Sevastopol 'skoi Biologicheskoi Stantsii 3: 15–86 [26]; Paclt, J. 1967. Thysanura, Fam. Lepidotrichidae, Maindroniidae, Lepismatidae. Genera Insectorum 218: 1-86 [45].
• Ctenolepisma tavaresi Navás, L. 1906. Neuropteros de Espana y Portugal [Primer suborden, Adelopteros]. Brotéria. Serie Ciências Naturais 5: 145–184 [156].
• Lepisma ciliata dives Silvestri, F. 1908. Tisanuri raccolti da L. Fea alle isole del Capo Verde, alla Guinea Portoghese e alle Isole S. Thomé, Principe e Fernando Poo. Annali del Museo Civico di Storia Naturale, Genova 44: 133–187 [144].
• Ctenolepisma longicaudata coreana Uchida, H. 1943. Zwei Lepismatiden aus Nippon. Shizenkagaku to Hakubutsukan (Nature and Museum) 14: 224–232 [224].
• Ctenolepisma pinicola Uchida, H. 1964. A new Ctenolepisma living beneath the bark of pine trees (Thysanura, Lepismatidae). Kontyû 32(3): 367–370 [367].

Taxonomic Decision for Synonymy

• Paclt, J. 1966. Neue Beiträge zur Kenntnis der Apterygoten-Sammlung des Zoologischen Staatsinstituts und Zoologischen Museums Hamburg. II. Lepismatidae und Maindroniidae (Thysanura). Entomologische Blätter 3: 147-162 [153]

Generic Combinations

• Ctenolepisma longicaudatum (Escherich, 1905). —
  Paclt, J. 1966. Neue Beiträge zur Kenntnis der Apterygoten-Sammlung des Zoologischen Staatsinstituts und Zoologischen Museums Hamburg. II. Lepismatidae und Maindroniidae (Thysanura). Entomologische Blätter 3: 147-162 [152]
• Ctenolepisma (Escherichisma) longicaudatum (Escherich, 1905). —
  Kaplin, V.G. 1993. On the systematics and phylogeny of the genera Ctenolepisma and Sceletolepisma stat. n. (Thysanura, Lepismatidae). Zoologicheskii Zhurnal 72(7): 34–51 [46]

Miscellaneous Literature Names

• Ctenolepisma lingicaudatum Escherich, 1905 [lapsus calami]. —
  Paclt, J. 1979. Neue Beiträge zur Kenntnis der Apterygoten-Sammlung des Zoologischen Instituts und Zoologischen Museums der Universität Hamburg.VI. Weitere Doppelund Borstenschwänze (Diplura: Campodeidae: Thysanura: Lepismatidae und Nicoletiidae). Entomologishe Mitteilungen aus dem Zoologischen Museum Hamburg 105: 221–228 [223]

Distribution

States

Australian Capital Territory, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

N coastal, N Gulf*, Murray-Darling basin, Bulloo River basin*, Lake Eyre basin*, W plateau*, SE coastal, NSW, NT, QLD, SA, VIC, WA.

Introduced from unknown country.

IBRA

ACT, Qld, SA, Tas, WA: Australian Alps (AA), Arnhem Coast (ARC), Arnhem Plateau (ARP), Avon Wheatbelt (AW), Brigalow Belt North (BBN), Brigalow Belt South (BBS), Ben Lomond (BEL), Broken Hill Complex (BHC), Burt Plain (BRT), Central Arnhem (CA), Carnarvon (CAR), Channel Country (CHC), Central Kimberley (CK), Central Mackay Coast (CMC), Coolgardie (COO), Cobar Peneplain (CP), Central Ranges (CR), Cape York Peninsula (CYP), Daly Basin (DAB), Darwin Coastal (DAC), Desert Uplands (DEU), Dampierland (DL), Davenport Murchison Ranges (DMR), Darling Riverine Plains (DRP), Einasleigh Uplands (EIU), Esperance Plains (ESP), Eyre Yorke Block (EYB), Finke (FIN), Flinders Lofty Block (FLB), Flinders (FLI), Gascoyne (GAS), Gawler (GAW), Gibson Desert (GD), Gulf Fall and Uplands (GFU), Geraldton Sandplains (GS), Great Sandy Desert (GSD), Gulf Coastal (GUC), Gulf Plains (GUP), Great Victoria Desert (GVD), Hampton (HAM), Jarrah Forest (JF), Kanmantoo (KAN), King (KIN), Little Sandy Desert (LSD), MacDonnell Ranges (MAC), Mallee (MAL), Murray Darling Depression (MDD), Mitchell Grass Downs (MGD), Mount Isa Inlier (MII), Mulga Lands (ML), Murchison (MUR), Nandewar (NAN), Naracoorte Coastal Plain (NCP), New England Tablelands (NET), Northern Kimberley (NK), NSW North Coast (NNC), NSW South Western Slopes (NSS), Nullarbor (NUL), Ord Victoria Plain (OVP), Pine Creek (PCK), Pilbara (PIL), Riverina (RIV), Sydney Basin (SB), South East Coastal Plain (SCP), South East Corner (SEC), South Eastern Highlands (SEH), South Eastern Queensland (SEQ), Simpson Strzelecki Dunefields (SSD), Stony Plains (STP), Sturt Plateau (STU), Swan Coastal Plain (SWA), Tanami (TAN), Tasmanian Central Highlands (TCH), Tiwi Cobourg (TIW), Tasmanian Northern Midlands (TNM), Tasmanian Northern Slopes (TNS), Tasmanian South East (TSE), Tasmanian Southern Ranges (TSR), Tasmanian West (TWE), Victoria Bonaparte (VB), Victorian Midlands (VM), Victorian Volcanic Plain (VVP), Warren (WAR), Wet Tropics (WT), Yalgoo (YAL)

Other Regions

Lord Howe Island terrestrial & freshwater, Norfolk Island terrestrial & freshwater

Ecological Descriptors

Omnivore, peridomestic.

General References

Lindsay, E. 1940. The biology of the silverfish Ctenolepisma longicaudata Esch., with particular reference to its feeding habits. Proceedings of the Royal Society of Victoria 52: 35-83 (biology)

Smith, G.B. 2016. On some Silverfish Taxa from Tasmania (Zygentoma: Lepismatidae and Nicoletiidae). Records of the Australian Museum 68(2): 45–80 [65–66]

History of changes

• Ctenolepisma (Ctenolepisma) rothschildi Silvestri, F. 1907. Collections recueillies par M. Maurice de Rothschild, dans l'Afrique Orientale. Bulletin du Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris [published 1907-1971] 13: 513-517 [514].
• Ctenolepisma diversisquamis Silvestri, F. 1908. Tisanuri raccolti da L. Fea alle isole del Capo Verde, alla Guinea Portoghese e alle Isole S. Thomé, Principe e Fernando Poo. Annali del Museo Civico di Storia Naturale, Genova 44: 133–187 [153].
• Ctenolepisma brachyura Silvestri, F. 1918. Thysanura. pp. 1-128 in Lhomme, L. (ed.). Voyage de Ch. Alluaud et R. Jeannel en Afrique orientale (1911-1912). Résultats scientifiques, Apterygogenea I. Paris : Libraire des Sciences naturelles pp.
• Ctenolepisma reducta Folsom, J.W. 1923. A new lepismid from Porto Rico. Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington 25: 170-171 [170].

Distribution

States

Northern Territory, Queensland, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Described from north-east Africa, tramp species

Introduced from unknown source.

IBRA

NT, Qld, WA: Central Mackay Coast (CMC), Darwin Coastal (DAC), Dampierland (DL), Mitchell Grass Downs (MGD), Wet Tropics (WT)

Distribution References

General References

Smith, G. 2012. Ctenolepisma rothschildi Silvestri (Zygentoma: Lepismatidae) in Australia. Australian Entomologist 39(1): 39-47 (first record for Australia)

History of changes

• Hemitelsella Smith, G.B. 2016. On some Silverfish Taxa from Tasmania (Zygentoma: Lepismatidae and Nicoletiidae). Records of the Australian Museum 68(2): 45–80 [72–73].

  Type species:

   Acrotelsella transpectinata Smith, 2015 by original designation.

Distribution

States

South Australia, Tasmania, Western Australia

IBRA

SA: Finke (FIN) ; Tas: Tasmanian Northern Midlands (TNM) ; WA: Carnarvon (CAR)

General References

Smith, G., Mitchell, A. & Mesaglio, T. 2022. Two New Australian Silverfish (Zygentoma: Lepismatidae: Ctenolepismatinae and Nicoletiidae: Subnicoletiinae). Records of the Australian Museum 74: 59-74

History of changes

• Hemitelsella clarksonorum Smith, G.B. 2016. On some Silverfish Taxa from Tasmania (Zygentoma: Lepismatidae and Nicoletiidae). Records of the Australian Museum 68(2): 45–80 [73–79, figs 164–204].

  Type data:

   Holotype AMSA K261105 K261106 K261107 ♂ on three slides (17–23 April 2015, W. & L. Clarkson), TAS: Travellers Rest, near Launceston [41.49103°S 147.07778°E].

Distribution

States

Tasmania

Extra Distribution Information

Known only from type locality.

Australian Endemic.

IBRA

Tas: Tasmanian Northern Midlands (TNM)

Ecological Descriptors

Dry sclerophyll forest (associated flora: Eucalyptus amygdalina Labill. [MYRTACEAE] Black Peppermint; Eucalyptus viminalis Labill. [MYRTACEAE] Manna Gum; Exocarpos cupressiformis Labill. [SANTALACEAE] Native Cherry).

History of changes

• Hemitelsella luismendesi Smith, G., Mitchell, A. & Mesaglio, T. 2022. Two New Australian Silverfish (Zygentoma: Lepismatidae: Ctenolepismatinae and Nicoletiidae: Subnicoletiinae). Records of the Australian Museum 74: 59-74 [61].
  Zoobank Registration Number:urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:A5C74ADC-80EB-4BDD-9908-86D3AE9C706D

  Type data:

   Holotype SAMA 21-000419 ♀ (378m asl, 7.vii.2020, Graeme Smith, hand collected in deep dry leaf litter), North of Marla, SA [26.9724°S 133.4000°E].
  Paratype(s) SAMA 21-000420 ♂, same as Holotype; AMS numerous various, same as Holotype.

Distribution

States

South Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Australian Endemic.

IBRA

SA: Finke (FIN)

History of changes

• Acrotelsella transpectinata Smith, G.B. 2015. New silverfish species (Zygentoma:Lepismatidae) from Barrow Island. Records of the Western Australian Museum 30(2): 98-131 [115, figs 108-160].

  Type data:

   Holotype WAM E89211 ♂, Barrow Island, WA.
  Paratype(s) WAM E89212, E89213, E89214, E89215, E89216, E89219, E89220, E89221& E89223 9♂, Barrow Island, WA; WAM E89217, E89218 & E89222 3♀, Barrow Island, WA.

Generic Combinations

• Hemitelsella transpectinata (Smith, 2015). —
  Smith, G.B. 2016. On some Silverfish Taxa from Tasmania (Zygentoma: Lepismatidae and Nicoletiidae). Records of the Australian Museum 68(2): 45–80 [72] (changed combination implicit through designation of type species)

Distribution

States

Western Australia

IBRA

WA: Carnarvon (CAR)

History of changes

• Qantelsella Smith, G. 2015. New silverfish taxa from Queensland (Zygentoma: Lepismatidae). Records of the Australian Museum 67(3): 67–81 [Date published 27 May 2015] [68].

  Type species:

   Qantelsella louisae Smith, 2015 by monotypy.

Distribution

States

Queensland, Western Australia

IBRA

Qld: Mitchell Grass Downs (MGD) ; WA: Carnarvon (CAR)

History of changes

• Qantelsella aurantia Smith, G.B. 2015. New silverfish species (Zygentoma:Lepismatidae) from Barrow Island. Records of the Western Australian Museum 30(2): 98-131 [107, figs 56-106].

  Type data:

   Holotype WAM E89198 ♂, Barrow Island, WA.
  Paratype(s) WAM E89199, E89200, E89201, E89205, E89206, E89208 & E89209 7♀, Barrow Island, WA; WAM E89202, E89203, E89204 & E89207 4♂, Barrow Island, WA; WAM E89210 juvenile ♂, Barrow Island, WA.

Distribution

States

Western Australia

IBRA

WA: Carnarvon (CAR)

History of changes

• Qantelsella louisae Smith, G. 2015. New silverfish taxa from Queensland (Zygentoma: Lepismatidae). Records of the Australian Museum 67(3): 67–81 [Date published 27 May 2015] [68].

  Type data:

   Holotype QM T228755 ♂, Queensland: Bladensburg National Park, Skull Hole [22.55789°S 143.00044°E].

Distribution

States

Queensland

Extra Distribution Information

Known only from type locality.

Australian Endemic.

IBRA

Qld: Mitchell Grass Downs (MGD)

Ecological Descriptors

Leaf litter.

History of changes

• Qantelsella maculosa Smith, G.B. 2015. New silverfish species (Zygentoma:Lepismatidae) from Barrow Island. Records of the Western Australian Museum 30(2): 98-131 [99, figs 1-55].

  Type data:

   Holotype WAM E88546 ♀, Barrow Island, WA.
  Paratype(s) WAM E88547 & E88548 2 juvenile ♀, Barrow Island, WA; WAM E88549 & E88550 2♂, Barrow Island, WA.

Distribution

States

Western Australia

IBRA

WA: Carnarvon (CAR)

History of changes

• Thermobia Bergroth, E. 1890. Note on Lepisma domestica Pack. Entomologica Americana 6: 233 [233] [nom. nov. for Thermophila Grassi, 1887; a ruling by the International Commission on Zoological nomenclature on the use of the name Thermobia as the valid name is needed because there appears little reason not to accept the senior synonym Lepismodes as the valid name other than to maintain nomenclatural stability].
• Lepismodes Newman, E. 1863. Characters of Lepismodes inquilinus. Proceedings of the Northern Entomological Society, Liverpool 1863: 13-16 [14] [the validity of the name Lepismodes is uncertain. It appeared twice in 1863; first, in the handwritten proceedings of a meeting which were apparently lithographically copied and circulated but not widely so that it was overlooked by other Thysanura workers until used by Delany, M.J. 1953. A revision of the British Thysanura. Entomologist's Monthly Magazine 89: 144–145; and second, in a conventional print but with such an inadequte description that the name was considered a nom. nud.].

  Type species:

   Lepismodes inquilinus Newman, 1863 by monotypy.
• Termophila Grassi, B. 1887. I progenitori dei Miriapodi e degli Insetti. Altre ricerche sui Tisanuri. Nota preliminare. Bullettino della Società Entomologica Italiana 19: 52-74 [58] [introduced as a subgenus of Lepisma Linnaeus, 1758; but considered a lapsus calami by subsequent workers as Grassi emended the name to Thermophila two years later without giving a reason, see Grassi, B. & Rovelli, G. 1889. Tavola analitica dei Tisanuri italiani da noi finora riscontrati. Bullettino della Società Entomologica Italiana 21: 3–8].

  Type species:

   Lepisma furnorum Rovelli, 1884 by monotypy (=Lepisma domestica Packard, 1873).
• Thermophila Grassi, B. & Rovelli, G. 1889. Tavola analitica dei Tisanuri italiani da noi finora riscontrati. Bullettino della Società Entomologica Italiana 21: 3-8 [8] [it is uncertain whether this name is an incorrect subsequent spelling for Termophila Grassi, 1887 and therefore not available or whether it is a justified emendation of Termophila Grassi, 1887 and thus a junior homonym of Thermophila Huebner, 1819 (Lepidoptera) and Thermophila Hope, 1838 (Coleoptera)].

Taxonomic Decision for Synonymy

• Escherich, K. 1905. Das System der Lepismatiden. Zoologica (Stuttgart) 43: 1-164 [99]

Distribution

States

Victoria, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Worldwide.

IBRA

Vic, WA: Australian Alps (AA), Avon Wheatbelt (AW), Esperance Plains (ESP), Flinders (FLI), Geraldton Sandplains (GS), Jarrah Forest (JF), Mallee (MAL), Murray Darling Depression (MDD), Naracoorte Coastal Plain (NCP), South East Coastal Plain (SCP), South East Corner (SEC), South Eastern Highlands (SEH), Swan Coastal Plain (SWA), Victorian Midlands (VM), Victorian Volcanic Plain (VVP), Warren (WAR), Yalgoo (YAL)

Original AFD Distribution Data

Australian Region

• Australia
  • Victoria: SE coastal
  • Western Australia: SW coastal

Distribution References

History of changes

• Lepisma domestica Packard, A.S. 1873. Synopsis of the Thysanura of Essex County, Mass., with descriptions of a few extralimital forms. Annual Report of the Peabody Academy of Sciences 5: 23-51 [48].

  Type data:

   Lectotype MCZ 14792 ♀, Salem, Massachusetts, USA.
  Paralectotype(s) MCZ.

  Subsequent designation references:

  Irish, J. 1988. Revision of Thermobia Bergroth (Thysanura: Lepismatidae). Cimbebasia 10: 15-30.
• Lepismodes inquilinus Newman, E. 1863. Characters of Lepismodes inquilinus. Proceedings of the Northern Entomological Society, Liverpool 1863: 13-16 [13] [for many years incorrectly considered as a nom. nud., see Irish, J. 1988. Revision of Thermobia Bergroth (Thysanura: Lepismatidae). Cimbebasia 10: 15–30; in the interest of nomenclatural stability, the junior synonym Lepisma domestica Packard, 1873 is here used as the valid name; a case needs to be made to the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature regarding the status of these names].

  Type data:

   Status unknown, whereabouts unknown, London.
• Lepisma furnorum Rovelli, G. 1884. Alcuni ricerche sul tuba digerente degli Atteri, Ortotteri e Pseudo-Neuroterri; una nuova specie di Lepismide. Como 15 pp. [14].

  Type data:

   Status unknown, whereabouts unknown, Como, Italy.

  Secondary source:

   Oudemans, J.T. 1889. Thermophila furnorum, Rov. Tijdschrift voor Entomologie 32: 425-432; Irish, J. 1988. Revision of Thermobia Bergroth (Thysanura: Lepismatidae). Cimbebasia 10: 15-30.

Taxonomic Decision for Synonymy

• Escherich, K. 1905. Das System der Lepismatiden. Zoologica (Stuttgart) 43: 1-164 [101]

Distribution

States

Victoria, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Cosmopolitan.

Introduced from unknown country.

IBRA

Vic, WA: Australian Alps (AA), Avon Wheatbelt (AW), Esperance Plains (ESP), Flinders (FLI), Geraldton Sandplains (GS), Jarrah Forest (JF), Mallee (MAL), Murray Darling Depression (MDD), Naracoorte Coastal Plain (NCP), South East Coastal Plain (SCP), South East Corner (SEC), South Eastern Highlands (SEH), Swan Coastal Plain (SWA), Victorian Midlands (VM), Victorian Volcanic Plain (VVP), Warren (WAR), Yalgoo (YAL)

Original AFD Distribution Data

Australian Region

• Australia
  • Victoria: SE coastal
  • Western Australia: SW coastal

Ecological Descriptors

Cryptozoic, omnivore, peridomestic.

General References

Irish, J. 1988. Revision of Thermobia Bergroth (Thysanura: Lepismatidae). Cimbebasia 10: 15-30

History of changes

History of changes

• Heterolepisma Escherich, K. 1905. Das System der Lepismatiden. Zoologica (Stuttgart) 43: 1-164 [63].

  Type species:

   Lepisma pampeana Silvestri, 1902 by subsequent designation, see Paclt, J. 1967. Thysanura, Fam. Lepidotrichidae, Maindroniidae, Lepismatidae. Genera Insectorum 218: 1-86 [25].
• Isolepisma Escherich, K. 1905. Das System der Lepismatiden. Zoologica (Stuttgart) 43: 1-164 [61].

  Type species:

   Isolepisma trisetosa Escherich, 1905 by monotypy.
• Notolepisma Tillyard, R.J. 1924. Primitive wingless insects. Part I: The silverfish, bristletails and their allies (Order Thysanura). New Zealand Journal of Science and Technology 7: 232-242 [241].

  Type species:

   Notolepisma zealandica Tillyard, 1924 by original designation (incorrectly spelt as zelandica).

Taxonomic Decision for Synonymy

• Stach, J. 1933. Heterolepisma horni n. sp. und die Zusammenstellung der Arten der Gattung Heterolepisma (Thysanura). Prace Muzeum a Zoologiczne 9: 341-349 [345] (Isolepisma)
• Wygodzinsky, P. 1961. Synonymical notes on the Lepismatidae (Thysanura). Pan-Pacific Entomologist 37: 213-216 [213] (Notolepisma)

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Oceania.

IBRA

NSW: Sydney Basin (SB) ; Qld: South Eastern Queensland (SEQ) ; SA, Tas, WA: Ben Lomond (BEL), Broken Hill Complex (BHC), Carnarvon (CAR), Eyre Yorke Block (EYB), Flinders Lofty Block (FLB), Flinders (FLI), Gascoyne (GAS), Gawler (GAW), Geraldton Sandplains (GS), Kanmantoo (KAN), King (KIN), Murray Darling Depression (MDD), Murchison (MUR), Pilbara (PIL), Tasmanian Central Highlands (TCH), Tasmanian Northern Midlands (TNM), Tasmanian Northern Slopes (TNS), Tasmanian South East (TSE), Tasmanian Southern Ranges (TSR), Tasmanian West (TWE), Yalgoo (YAL) ; SA, WA: Avon Wheatbelt (AW), Esperance Plains (ESP), Jarrah Forest (JF), Mallee (MAL), Swan Coastal Plain (SWA), Warren (WAR)

Other Regions

Coral Sea Islands Territory, Lord Howe Island terrestrial & freshwater, Norfolk Island terrestrial & freshwater

Distribution References

General References

Smith, G.B. 2016. On some Silverfish Taxa from Tasmania (Zygentoma: Lepismatidae and Nicoletiidae). Records of the Australian Museum 68(2): 45–80 [58]

History of changes

• Heterolepisma buntonorum Smith, G.B. 2016. On some Silverfish Taxa from Tasmania (Zygentoma: Lepismatidae and Nicoletiidae). Records of the Australian Museum 68(2): 45–80 [58–65, figs 79–120].

  Type data:

   Holotype AMSA K261010, K261011 ♀ (30 m asl, 19.xii.2011, G. Smith and S. Bunton), TAS: Bicheno lookout [41.87731°S 148.30553°E].
  Paratype(s) AMSA numerous specimens (also in TMAG), various localities.

Distribution

States

Tasmania

Extra Distribution Information

Australian Endemic.

IBRA

Tas: Tasmanian Central Highlands (TCH), Tasmanian Northern Midlands (TNM), Tasmanian South East (TSE)

History of changes

• Heterolepisma cooloola Smith, G.B., Mitchell, A., Lee, T.R.C. & Espinasa, L. 2019. DNA barcoding and integrative taxonomy of the Heterolepisma sclerophylla species complex (Zygentoma: Lepismatidae: Heterolepismatinae) and the description of two new species. Records of the Australian Museum 71(1): 1-32 [22].

  Type data:

   Holotype QM 207011 ♀, QLD, Cooloola, Freshwater track rainforest patch [25.9492°S 153.0927°E].
  Paratype(s) QM 207012 14 ♂, 14 ♀, 21 subadult, same data as Holotype; AM various numerous, same data as Holotype.

Miscellaneous Literature Names

• Heterolepisma sclerophylla Smith, 2013 [a misidentification, in part]. —
  Smith G. 2013. Two new species of Heterolepisma (Zygentoma: Lepismatidae) from eastern New South Wales. General and Applied Entomology 42: 7-21

Introduction

Identified as a cryptic species with the H. sclerophylla complex. See Introduction to H. sclerophylla for further details.

Distribution

States

Queensland

Extra Distribution Information

Southeastern QLD

Australian Endemic.

IBRA

Qld: South Eastern Queensland (SEQ)

History of changes

• Heterolepisma coorongooba Smith, G.B., Mitchell, A., Lee, T.R.C. & Espinasa, L. 2019. DNA barcoding and integrative taxonomy of the Heterolepisma sclerophylla species complex (Zygentoma: Lepismatidae: Heterolepismatinae) and the description of two new species. Records of the Australian Museum 71(1): 1-32 [16].

  Type data:

   Holotype AM K.261208, K.261209 (on two slides) ♀, NSW, Glen Davis, above Coorongooba campground [33.1271°S 150.3232°E].
  Paratype(s) AM K.261210-14 (each on 2 slides) 2 ♀, same data as Holotype; AM K.261204-5 ♂, same data as Holotype; AM K.377726 juv., same data as Holotype.

Miscellaneous Literature Names

• Heterolepisma sclerophylla Smith, 2013 [a misidentification, in part.]. —
  Smith G. 2013. Two new species of Heterolepisma (Zygentoma: Lepismatidae) from eastern New South Wales. General and Applied Entomology 42: 7-21

Introduction

Identified as a cryptic species with the H. sclerophylla complex. See Introduction to H. sclerophylla for further details.

Distribution

States

New South Wales

Extra Distribution Information

Glen Davis, NSW

Australian Endemic.

History of changes

• Heterolepisma heraldense Smith, G.B. & Mitchell, A. 2019. Species of Heterolepismatinae (Zygentoma: Lepismatidae) Found on some Remote Eastern Australian Islands. Records of the Australian Museum 71(4): 139-181 [164-170; Figs 127-168].
  Zoobank Registration Number:http://zoobank.org/NomenclaturalActs/BA3F1745-78BD-407A-9689-147387B73842

  Type data:

   Holotype AM K261309 on one slide ♀ (HW 1.00) (17.v.2007, R. Farrow), CORAL SEA TERRITORY: South West Herald Cay [16.98°S 149.13°E].
  Paratype(s) AM K261310 (on one slide) juvenile ♂ (HW 0.80), as for holotype; AM K.377828 (in alcohol) juvenile ♀ (HW 0.70) (16.v.2007, P. Greenslade & R. Farrow), CORAL SEA TERRITORY: North East Herald Cay [16.943°S 149.199°E].

Introduction

This species may be conspecific with the inadequately described H. rouxi Silvestri 1915 from New Caledonia (see Smith & Mitchell, 2019).

Distribution

Other Regions

Coral Sea Islands Territory

History of changes

• Heterolepisma highlandi Smith G. 2013. Two new species of Heterolepisma (Zygentoma: Lepismatidae) from eastern New South Wales. General and Applied Entomology 42: 7-21 [16].

  Type data:

   Holotype AMSA K260996 K260997 Female (Specimen on two slides), NSW, Wee Jasper, 555m asl, G.B. Smith & P. Fleming, 21.viii.2010 [35°03.535'S 148°38.972'E].
  Paratype(s) AMSA 1 ♂ 1 ♀ 1 juvenile (1 ♀ (K377598), 1 ♂ on two slides (K2600998 K260999); 1 juvenile ♀ (K377599)), Same as holotype; AMSA 2 ♀ 5 juveniles (1 ♀ (K377600), 1 ♀ on two slides (K261000 K261001), 5 juveniles in single tube (K377601)), Same as holotype except 558m asl [S35°03.696' E148°39.839']; AMSA K377602 1 juvenile, Same as holotype except 519m asl [S35°03.523' E148°39.009']; AMSA 3 ♀ 3 juveniles (1 ♀ (K377603), 1 juvenile ♀ (K377604); 1 ♀ (K377605); ♀ (K377606); 1 juvenile ♂ (K377607); 1 juvenile ♀ (K377608)), Same as holotype except 552m asl [S35°03.543' E148°38.935'].

Distribution

States

New South Wales

IBRA

NSW: Sydney Basin (SB)

History of changes

• Heterolepisma howensis Womersley, H. 1942. A new species of silver-fish from Lord Howe Island. Records of the Australian Museum 21: 116-117 [116].

  Type data:

   Holotype AM K.263961 (previously K67623) ♂ (in alcohol), Rocky Run, Lord Howe Is.
  Paratype(s) AM K67624 ♀ (in alcohol, described); AM several specimens (in alcohol); SAMA ♂ ♀ (in alcohol).

Distribution

Extra Distribution Information

Lord Howe Island and Norfolk Island

Other Regions

Lord Howe Island terrestrial & freshwater, Norfolk Island terrestrial & freshwater

Distribution References

Ecological Descriptors

Cryptozoic, omnivore, under bark.

General References

Smith, G.B. & Mitchell, A. 2019. Species of Heterolepismatinae (Zygentoma: Lepismatidae) Found on some Remote Eastern Australian Islands. Records of the Australian Museum 71(4): 139-181 [143-150; Figs 4-41] (redescription of Heterolepisma howensis)

History of changes

• Heterolepisma kraepelini Silvestri, F. 1908. Thysanura. pp. 47-68, figs 128-141 in Michaelsen, W. & Hartmeyer, R. (eds). Die Fauna Südwest-Australiens. Jena : G. Fischer Vol. 2. [50].

  Type data:

   Holotype IEA ♀ (part, as slide preparation, in poor condition; only 1♀ was originally described but there is a ♂ labelled 'typus' and three juveniles from Yalgoo in ZMB (in alcohol) which are probably part of the original collection), Yalgoo, WA.

Distribution

States

South Australia, Tasmania, Western Australia

IBRA

SA, Tas, WA: Ben Lomond (BEL), Broken Hill Complex (BHC), Carnarvon (CAR), Eyre Yorke Block (EYB), Flinders Lofty Block (FLB), Flinders (FLI), Gascoyne (GAS), Gawler (GAW), Geraldton Sandplains (GS), Kanmantoo (KAN), King (KIN), Murray Darling Depression (MDD), Murchison (MUR), Pilbara (PIL), Tasmanian Central Highlands (TCH), Tasmanian Northern Midlands (TNM), Tasmanian Northern Slopes (TNS), Tasmanian South East (TSE), Tasmanian Southern Ranges (TSR), Tasmanian West (TWE), Yalgoo (YAL)

Ecological Descriptors

Cryptozoic, omnivore, under bark.

General References

Smith, G.B. 2016. On some Silverfish Taxa from Tasmania (Zygentoma: Lepismatidae and Nicoletiidae). Records of the Australian Museum 68(2): 45–80 [58]

Womersley, H. 1939. Primitive Insects of South Australia. Silverfish, Springtails and their allies. Adelaide : Frank Trigg, Government Printer 322 pp. 1 pl. [27] (distribution)

History of changes

• Heterolepisma michaelseni Silvestri, F. 1908. Thysanura. pp. 47-68, figs 128-141 in Michaelsen, W. & Hartmeyer, R. (eds). Die Fauna Südwest-Australiens. Jena : G. Fischer Vol. 2. [49].

  Type data:

   
  Syntype(s) IEA (as slide preparation, in poor condition), Lion Mill, Boyanup, Torbay, WA; ZMH 2 specimens (in alcohol), Lion Mill, Boyanup, Torbay, WA; ZMB 3 specimens (in alcohol), Lion Mill, Boyanup, Torbay, WA.

Distribution

States

South Australia, Western Australia

IBRA

SA, WA: Avon Wheatbelt (AW), Esperance Plains (ESP), Eyre Yorke Block (EYB), Flinders Lofty Block (FLB), Gawler (GAW), Geraldton Sandplains (GS), Jarrah Forest (JF), Kanmantoo (KAN), Mallee (MAL), Swan Coastal Plain (SWA), Warren (WAR), Yalgoo (YAL)

Original AFD Distribution Data

Australian Region

• Australia
  • South Australia: S Gulfs
  • Western Australia: SW coastal

Ecological Descriptors

Cryptozoic, omnivore, under bark.

General References

Womersley, H. 1939. Primitive Insects of South Australia. Silverfish, Springtails and their allies. Adelaide : Frank Trigg, Government Printer 322 pp. 1 pl. [26] (distribution)

History of changes

• Heterolepisma milledgei Smith, G.B. & Mitchell, A. 2019. Species of Heterolepismatinae (Zygentoma: Lepismatidae) Found on some Remote Eastern Australian Islands. Records of the Australian Museum 71(4): 139-181 [151-158; Figs 42-85].
  Zoobank Registration Number:http://zoobank.org/NomenclaturalActs/56C9A2EC-9AEE-449F-8D69-9DAA8A6C0A3C

  Type data:

   Holotype AM K541007 K541008 (on two slides) ♀ (HW 1.43) (15m asl, 25.ii.2001, Graham Milledge), LORD HOWE ISLAND: Stevens Reserve [31.52°S 159.07°E].
  Paratype(s) AM many specimens, various.

Distribution

Other Regions

Lord Howe Island terrestrial & freshwater

History of changes

• Heterolepisma parva Smith G. 2013. A new species of Heterolepisma from Barrow Island (Zygentoma: Lepismatidae). Records of the Western Australian Museum, Supplement 83: 229-240 [232].

  Type data:

   Holotype WAM E83506 ♀ (On two slides (head and thorax, abdomen)), Western Australia, Barrow Island (NO7a 332008, -7697340), 1 May 2007, S. Callan, K. Edwards, WSC.
  Paratype(s) WAM E83507-E83518 12 specimens, Various localities on Barrow Island.

Distribution

States

Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Known only from Barrow Island

IBRA

WA: Carnarvon (CAR)

History of changes

• Heterolepisma pyramidum Smith, G.B. & Mitchell, A. 2019. Species of Heterolepismatinae (Zygentoma: Lepismatidae) Found on some Remote Eastern Australian Islands. Records of the Australian Museum 71(4): 139-181 [185-164; Figs 86-126].
  Zoobank Registration Number:http://zoobank.org/NomenclaturalActs/52FB2021-A86E-49BD-87EA-F77EC0F32755

  Type data:

   Holotype AM K261254 K261255 (on two slides) ♀ (HW 1.20) (26.iii.2017, F. Koehler.), LORD HOWE ISLAND: Balls Pyramid, rock platform at southern tip “Base Camp” [31.7575°S 159.2550°E].

Distribution

Other Regions

Lord Howe Island terrestrial & freshwater

History of changes

• Heterolepisma sclerophylla Smith G. 2013. Two new species of Heterolepisma (Zygentoma: Lepismatidae) from eastern New South Wales. General and Applied Entomology 42: 7-21 [9].

  Type data:

   Holotype AMSA K260990 K260991 Female (Specimen on two slides), NSW, Broulee, 15m asl, 17.xi.2010, G. Smith [35°51.468’S 150°09.724’E].
  Paratype(s) AMSA 8 ♀ 3 ♂ 1 juv (1 ♂ on two slides (K260992 K260993), 1 ♀ on two slides (K261074 K261075), 1 ♀ (K377561), 1 ♀ (K377562), 1 ♀ (K377563), 1 ♀ (K377564), 1 ♂ (K377565), 1 ♂ (K377566), 1 ♀ (K377567), 1juv. ♀ (K377568), 1 ♂ (K377569), 1 ♀ (K377570)), Same as holotype.

Introduction

Following collection of further specimens and molecular analysis Smith et al. (2019) were able to show that H. sclerophylla appears to be a species complex with several cryptic species. Two of these were described as new species, H. cooloola from SE Queensland, and H. coorongooba from NW of Sydney, NSW. They recognised an additional five lineages within NSW material but were unable to identify morphological and morphometric differences and declined to describe them as new species.

Distribution

States

New South Wales

IBRA

NSW: Sydney Basin (SB)

General References

Smith, G.B., Mitchell, A., Lee, T.R.C. & Espinasa, L. 2019. DNA barcoding and integrative taxonomy of the Heterolepisma sclerophylla species complex (Zygentoma: Lepismatidae: Heterolepismatinae) and the description of two new species. Records of the Australian Museum 71(1): 1-32

History of changes

• Maritisma Smith, G.B. & Mitchell, A. 2019. Species of Heterolepismatinae (Zygentoma: Lepismatidae) Found on some Remote Eastern Australian Islands. Records of the Australian Museum 71(4): 139-181 [170-171].
  Zoobank Registration Number:http://zoobank.org/NomenclaturalActs/56115144-6890-4115-88A2-9716C9C5EF95

  Type species:

   Maritisma coralinium Smith & Mitchell, 2019 by original designation.

Distribution

IMCRA

Northeast Province (18)

Other Regions

Coral Sea Islands Territory

History of changes

• Maritisma coralinium Smith, G.B. & Mitchell, A. 2019. Species of Heterolepismatinae (Zygentoma: Lepismatidae) Found on some Remote Eastern Australian Islands. Records of the Australian Museum 71(4): 139-181 [171-176; Figs 169–207].
  Zoobank Registration Number:http://zoobank.org/NomenclaturalActs/CC4C0649-D95F-42E5-8DE1-18BAA041F6A4

  Type data:

   Holotype AM K261124 K261125 (on two slides) ♂ (HW 1.14) (7 September 1967), CORAL SEA TERRITORY: Herald Cay (unspecified), Great Barrier Reef [17.0°S 149.2°E].
  Paratype(s) AM K261252 K261253 (on two slides) juvenile ♀ (HW 0.84) (22.vi.1997, A. Anderson), CORAL SEA TERRITORY: North East Herald.

Distribution

IMCRA

Northeast Province (18)

Other Regions

Coral Sea Islands Territory

History of changes

• Visma Smith, G.B., Mitchell, A. & Molero-Baltanás, R. 2021. Molecular and morphological studies identify a new genus within the Heterolepismatinae (Zygentoma: Lepismatidae). Zootaxa 5030(1): 1-118 [25].

  Type species:

   Visma brigalowsum Smith, Mitchell & Molero-Baltanás, 2021 by original designation.

Introduction

Smith, Mitchell & Molero-Baltanás, 2021 also identified 4 further species that were not described due to lack of quality material.
(Visma aff. capricornia sp. 1, Visma aff. capricornia sp. 2, Visma aff. brigalowsum & Visma aff. stilivarians)

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia

IBRA

NSW: Nandewar (NAN), New England Tablelands (NET), NSW North Coast (NNC), Sydney Basin (SB) ; NSW, Qld: South Eastern Queensland (SEQ) ; Qld: Brigalow Belt North (BBN), Brigalow Belt South (BBS), Central Mackay Coast (CMC), Wet Tropics (WT) ; SA: Flinders Lofty Block (FLB) ; WA: Jarrah Forest (JF), Swan Coastal Plain (SWA)

History of changes

• Visma advenum Smith, G.B., Mitchell, A. & Molero-Baltanás, R. 2021. Molecular and morphological studies identify a new genus within the Heterolepismatinae (Zygentoma: Lepismatidae). Zootaxa 5030(1): 1-118 [66, Table 7; Figs. 5, 210–242].

  Type data:

   Holotype AM K.261268 ♂, Coorongooba campground, Glen Davis, NSW [33.12458S 150.32434E].

Distribution

States

New South Wales

IBRA

NSW: Sydney Basin (SB)

History of changes

• Visma bingara Smith, G.B., Mitchell, A. & Molero-Baltanás, R. 2021. Molecular and morphological studies identify a new genus within the Heterolepismatinae (Zygentoma: Lepismatidae). Zootaxa 5030(1): 1-118 [72, Table 8; Figs. 7, 243–266].

  Type data:

   Holotype AM K.541528 ♂, South of Bingara, NSW [30.11043S 150.59718E].

Distribution

States

New South Wales

IBRA

NSW: Nandewar (NAN)

History of changes

• Visma brayi Smith, G.B., Mitchell, A. & Molero-Baltanás, R. 2021. Molecular and morphological studies identify a new genus within the Heterolepismatinae (Zygentoma: Lepismatidae). Zootaxa 5030(1): 1-118 [78, Table 9; Figs. 268–294].

  Type data:

   Holotype AM K.541540 ♀, “Winmurra”, Doyles River, 50km NW of Taree, NSW [31.516°S 152.241°E].
  Paratype(s) AM K.541529 ♂, “Winmurra”, Doyles River, 50km NW of Taree, NSW [31.516°S 152.241°E].

Distribution

States

New South Wales

IBRA

NSW: NSW North Coast (NNC)

History of changes

• Visma brigalowsum Smith, G.B., Mitchell, A. & Molero-Baltanás, R. 2021. Molecular and morphological studies identify a new genus within the Heterolepismatinae (Zygentoma: Lepismatidae). Zootaxa 5030(1): 1-118 [40, Table 4; Figs. 2, 94–135].

  Type data:

   Holotype QM T246779 ♀, Lake Broadwater, QLD.
  Paratype(s) QM T246780 ♂, Lake Broadwater, QLD.

Distribution

States

Queensland

IBRA

Qld: Brigalow Belt North (BBN), Brigalow Belt South (BBS), Central Mackay Coast (CMC), South Eastern Queensland (SEQ)

History of changes

• Visma bundjalung Smith, G.B., Mitchell, A. & Molero-Baltanás, R. 2021. Molecular and morphological studies identify a new genus within the Heterolepismatinae (Zygentoma: Lepismatidae). Zootaxa 5030(1): 1-118 [85, Table 10; Figs. 6, 20, 29, 34, 40, 43, 295–329].

  Type data:

   Holotype AM K.541530 ♂, 20 mins S Grafton, NSW [29.92483°S 153.06923°E].
  Paratype(s) AM K.541550 ♀, 20 mins S Grafton, NSW [29.92483°S 153.06923°E].

Distribution

States

New South Wales

IBRA

NSW: New England Tablelands (NET), South Eastern Queensland (SEQ)

History of changes

• Visma capricornia Smith, G.B., Mitchell, A. & Molero-Baltanás, R. 2021. Molecular and morphological studies identify a new genus within the Heterolepismatinae (Zygentoma: Lepismatidae). Zootaxa 5030(1): 1-118 [49, Table 5; Figs. 136–173].

  Type data:

   Holotype QM T246781 ♂, Mt. Moffatt, QLD [24.924°S 148.065°E].
  Paratype(s) QM T246784 ♀, 2km west of park HQ, Mt. Moffatt, QLD [25.020°S 147.929°E].

Distribution

States

Queensland

IBRA

Qld: Brigalow Belt South (BBS)

History of changes

• Visma pallidum Smith, G.B., Mitchell, A. & Molero-Baltanás, R. 2021. Molecular and morphological studies identify a new genus within the Heterolepismatinae (Zygentoma: Lepismatidae). Zootaxa 5030(1): 1-118 [32, Table 3; Figs. 1, 14, 24, 30, 35, 39, 51–93].

  Type data:

   Holotype QM T246777 ♀, Wallaman Falls lookout area, Girringun National Park, QLD [18.59033°S 145.80634°E].
  Paratype(s) QM T246778 ♂, Wallaman Falls lookout area, Girringun National Park, QLD [18.59033°S 145.80634°E]; QM K.261312 to K.261321 numerous specimens, Wallaman Falls lookout area, Girringun National Park, QLD.

Distribution

States

Queensland

IBRA

Qld: Wet Tropics (WT)

History of changes

• Visma powellheueri Smith, G.B., Mitchell, A. & Molero-Baltanás, R. 2021. Molecular and morphological studies identify a new genus within the Heterolepismatinae (Zygentoma: Lepismatidae). Zootaxa 5030(1): 1-118 [93, Table 11; Figs. 8, 331–365].

  Type data:

   Holotype SAMA 05-000002-1 and 05-000002-2 ♀, Wilmington, SA [32.66271°S 138.11152°E].
  Paratype(s) SAMA 05-000003-1 and 05-000003-2 ♂, Wilmington, SA [32.66271°S 138.11152°E].

Distribution

States

South Australia

IBRA

SA: Flinders Lofty Block (FLB)

History of changes

• Heterolepisma stilivarians Silvestri, F. 1908. Thysanura. pp. 47-68, figs 128-141 in Michaelsen, W. & Hartmeyer, R. (eds). Die Fauna Südwest-Australiens. Jena : G. Fischer Vol. 2. [47, Table 12; Figs. 366–399].

  Type data:

   
  Syntype(s) ZMB (in alcohol), Northampton, Yalgoo, Mt Robinson, Coolgardie, Boorabbin, Wooroloo, Karrakatta, East Fremantle, Donnybrook, Booyanup, WA; ZMH several specimens (in alcohol), Northampton, Yalgoo, Mt Robinson, Coolgardie, Boorabbin, Wooroloo, Karrakatta, East Fremantle, Donnybrook, Booyanup, WA; IEA (as slide preparations), Northampton, Yalgoo, Mt Robinson, Coolgardie, Boorabbin, Wooroloo, Karrakatta, East Fremantle, Donnybrook, Booyanup, WA.

Generic Combinations

• Visma stilivarians (Silvestri, 1908). —
  Smith, G.B., Mitchell, A. & Molero-Baltanás, R. 2021. Molecular and morphological studies identify a new genus within the Heterolepismatinae (Zygentoma: Lepismatidae). Zootaxa 5030(1): 1-118 [100, Table 12; Figs. 366–399]

Distribution

States

Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Redescribed from Holotype alone, all other type material misidentified (see Smith et al. 2021).

Known only from type locality.

IBRA

WA: Jarrah Forest (JF), Swan Coastal Plain (SWA)

Ecological Descriptors

Cryptozoic, omnivore.

General References

Smith, G.B., Mitchell, A. & Molero-Baltanás, R. 2021. Molecular and morphological studies identify a new genus within the Heterolepismatinae (Zygentoma: Lepismatidae). Zootaxa 5030(1): 1-118 [100]

History of changes

• Visma tenebrosum Smith, G.B., Mitchell, A. & Molero-Baltanás, R. 2021. Molecular and morphological studies identify a new genus within the Heterolepismatinae (Zygentoma: Lepismatidae). Zootaxa 5030(1): 1-118 [58, Table 6; Figs. 4, 17, 22, 28, 38, 41, 44, 174–209].

  Type data:

   Holotype QM T246782 ♀, Fern Gulley track, Eungella National Park, QLD [21.17006°S 148.49909°E].
  Paratype(s) QM T246783 ♂, Fern Gulley track, Eungella National Park, QLD [21.17006°S 148.49909°E].

Distribution

States

Queensland

IBRA

Qld: Central Mackay Coast (CMC), South Eastern Queensland (SEQ)

History of changes

• Visma xanthorrhoea Smith, G.B., Mitchell, A. & Molero-Baltanás, R. 2021. Molecular and morphological studies identify a new genus within the Heterolepismatinae (Zygentoma: Lepismatidae). Zootaxa 5030(1): 1-118 [108, Table 13; Figs. 9, 25, 31, 36, 400–439].

  Type data:

   Holotype SAMA 05-000004-1 and 05-000004-2 ♀, Alligator Gorge area, Mt Remarkable NP, SA [32.73077°S 138.05921°E].
  Paratype(s) SAMA 05-000005-1 and 05-000005-2 ♂, Alligator Gorge area, Mt Remarkable NP, SA [32.73077°S 138.05921°E].

Distribution

States

South Australia

IBRA

SA: Flinders Lofty Block (FLB)

History of changes

History of changes

• Anisolepisma Paclt, J. 1967. Thysanura, Fam. Lepidotrichidae, Maindroniidae, Lepismatidae. Genera Insectorum 218: 1-86 [27].

  Type species:

   Heterolepisma hartmeyeri Silvestri, 1908 by original designation.

Introduction

Smith (2016) provides a rediscription of the genus together with three new species.

Distribution

States

Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia

IBRA

NT: MacDonnell Ranges (MAC) ; Qld: Channel Country (CHC) ; SA: Flinders Lofty Block (FLB) ; WA: Carnarvon (CAR), Gascoyne (GAS), Geraldton Sandplains (GS), Murchison (MUR), Pilbara (PIL), Yalgoo (YAL)

Original AFD Distribution Data

Australian Region

• Australia
  • Western Australia: NW coastal

General References

Smith, G.B. 2016. Revision of the Genus Anisolepisma (Zygentoma: Lepismatidae: Acrotelsatinae). Records of the Australian Museum 68(6): 269-312

History of changes

• Anisolepisma aquilonaridum Smith, G.B. 2016. Revision of the Genus Anisolepisma (Zygentoma: Lepismatidae: Acrotelsatinae). Records of the Australian Museum 68(6): 269-312 [279, Figs 2–3, 6–18, 20–22, 74–113, 191].

  Type data:

   Holotype QM T234162 on two slides ♀, Bladensburg National Park (near Winton), QLD [22.54617°S 143.05459°E].
  Paratype(s) QM T234163 on two slides ♂, Bladensburg National Park (near Winton), QLD [22.54617°S 143.05459°E]; 2♂ 3♀, Bladensburg National Park (near Winton), QLD [22.54617°S 143.05459°E].

Distribution

States

Queensland

IBRA

Qld: Channel Country (CHC)

History of changes

• Heterolepisma hartmeyeri Silvestri, F. 1908. Thysanura. pp. 47-68, figs 128-141 in Michaelsen, W. & Hartmeyer, R. (eds). Die Fauna Südwest-Australiens. Jena : G. Fischer Vol. 2. [51].

  Type data:

   Holotype IEA ♀ (part of holotype, as slide preparation, in very poor condition; ZMB* remainder of holotype, in alcohol), Northampton, WA.

Generic Combinations

• Anisolepisma hartmeyeri (Silvestri, 1908). —
  Smith, G.B. 2016. Revision of the Genus Anisolepisma (Zygentoma: Lepismatidae: Acrotelsatinae). Records of the Australian Museum 68(6): 269-312 [277]

Distribution

States

Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Known only from type locality.

IBRA

WA: Carnarvon (CAR), Gascoyne (GAS), Geraldton Sandplains (GS), Murchison (MUR), Pilbara (PIL), Yalgoo (YAL)

Original AFD Distribution Data

Australian Region

• Australia
  • Western Australia: NW coastal

Ecological Descriptors

Cryptozoic, omnivore.

General References

Smith, G.B. 2016. Revision of the Genus Anisolepisma (Zygentoma: Lepismatidae: Acrotelsatinae). Records of the Australian Museum 68(6): 269-312 [277, Figs 25–73]

History of changes

• Anisolepisma pigmentum Smith, G.B. 2016. Revision of the Genus Anisolepisma (Zygentoma: Lepismatidae: Acrotelsatinae). Records of the Australian Museum 68(6): 269-312 [295, Figs 5, 19, 114–157].

  Type data:

   Holotype NTM I008585 on two slides ♂, West MacDonnell National Park, Ormiston near Larapinta campsite, NT [23°37.881'S 132°43.342'E].
  Paratype(s) NTM I008586 on two slides ♀, West MacDonnell National Park, Ormiston near Larapinta campsite, NT [23°37.881'S 132°43.342'E].

Distribution

States

Northern Territory

IBRA

NT: MacDonnell Ranges (MAC)

History of changes

• Anisolepisma subpectinum Smith, G.B. 2016. Revision of the Genus Anisolepisma (Zygentoma: Lepismatidae: Acrotelsatinae). Records of the Australian Museum 68(6): 269-312 [300, Figs 158–189].

  Type data:

   Holotype SAMA 05-000001 on two slides ♀, Mt Chambers Gorge, SA [30.95281°S 139.22484°E].

Distribution

States

South Australia

IBRA

SA: Flinders Lofty Block (FLB)

History of changes

• Xenolepisma Mendes, L.F. 1981. Nota sobre o género Asterolepisma e descrição de una nova especie (Zygentoma, Lepsimatidae). Revue de Zoologie Africaine 95(1): 200–209 [201] [as subgenus of Asterolepisma Mendes].

  Type species:

   Lepisma globosa Escherich, 1905 by original designation.

Distribution

States

Northern Territory, Queensland, Western Australia

IBRA

NT: Darwin Coastal (DAC) ; Qld: Cape York Peninsula (CYP) ; WA: Carnarvon (CAR)

General References

Mendes, L.F. 1988. Revisão do género Lepisma Lin., 1758 s. lat. (Zygentoma, Lepismatidae). Boletim da Sociedade Portuguesa de Entomologia Suppl. 2: 1-235 (raised to full species status)

History of changes

• Xenolepisma monteithi Smith, G. 2015. New silverfish taxa from Queensland (Zygentoma: Lepismatidae). Records of the Australian Museum 67(3): 67–81 [Date published 27 May 2015] [76].

  Type data:

   Holotype QM T228756 ♀ (on two slides), Queensland: Cape York, Bramwell Station [12.13866°S 142.62345°E].
  Paratype(s) QM T228757, T228758 2 juveniles, data as for holotype.

Distribution

States

Queensland

Extra Distribution Information

Known only from type locality.

Australian Endemic.

IBRA

Qld: Cape York Peninsula (CYP)

History of changes

• Xenolepisma penangi Smith, G.B., Veera Singham, G., Kuah, M.-K. & Lee, C.-Y. 2011. Two new inquiline silverfish (Zygentoma: Ateluridae, Lepismatidae) from Malaysia. Sociobiology 57(1): 19-34 [27].

  Type data:

   Holotype AMS K.277699 ♀ (Col: M.K. Kuah, 30/11/2009), Monomorium pharaonis colony, Minden, Penang, Malaysia.
  Paratype(s) AMS numerous ♀ (paratypes 2♀♀ on 4 microscope slides Col: M.K. Kuah, 28/08/2009.), Monomorium pharaonis colony, Minden, Penang, Malaysia.

Distribution

States

Northern Territory

IBRA

NT: Darwin Coastal (DAC)

General References

Smith, G. 2015. Australian Lepismatinae (Zygentoma: Lepismatidae). General and Applied Entomology 43: 25-36 [26, fig. 1]

History of changes

• Xenolepisma perexiguum Smith, G.B. 2015. New silverfish species (Zygentoma:Lepismatidae) from Barrow Island. Records of the Western Australian Museum 30(2): 98-131 [125, figs 161-191].

  Type data:

   Holotype WAM E89224 ♀, Barrow Island, WA.

Distribution

States

Western Australia

IBRA

WA: Carnarvon (CAR)

History of changes

History of changes

• Acrotelsa Escherich, K. 1905. Das System der Lepismatiden. Zoologica (Stuttgart) 43: 1-164 [105].

  Type species:

   Lepisma collaris Fabricius, 1793 by subsequent designation, see Silvestri, F. 1935. Marquesan Thysanura. Marquesan Insects II. Bulletin of the Bernice P. Bishop Museum 114: 305-312 [307].

Distribution

States

Northern Territory

Extra Distribution Information

Worldwide.

IBRA

NT: Arnhem Coast (ARC), Arnhem Plateau (ARP), Central Arnhem (CA), Daly Basin (DAB), Darwin Coastal (DAC), Ord Victoria Plain (OVP), Pine Creek (PCK), Tiwi Cobourg (TIW), Victoria Bonaparte (VB)

Original AFD Distribution Data

Australian Region

• Australia
  • Northern Territory: N coastal

Distribution References

History of changes

• Lepisma collaris Fabricius, J.C. 1793. Entomologia Systematica Emendata et Aucta. Secundum, Classes, Ordines, Genera, Species, adjectis synonimis [sic], locis, observationibus, descriptionibus. Hafniae : Christ. Gottl. Proft. Vol. 2 viii 519 pp. [64].

  Type data:

   Status unknown, whereabouts unknown, West Indies, Caribbean (as Americae meridionalis Insulis).
• Lepisma niveofasciata Templeton, R. 1843. Memoir on the genus Cermatia, and some other exotic Annulosa. Transactions of the Entomological Society of London 3: 302-309 [304].

  Type data:

   Status unknown, whereabouts unknown, Colombo, Sri Lanka.
• Lepisma mucronata Packard, A.S. 1873. Synopsis of the Thysanura of Essex County, Mass., with descriptions of a few extralimital forms. Annual Report of the Peabody Academy of Sciences 5: 23-51 [49].

  Type data:

   Holotype MCZ, Pulvon, W coast of Nicaragua.
• Lepisma cincta Oudemans, J.T. 1890. Apterygota des Indischen Archipels. pp. 73–92 in Weber, M. (ed.) Zoologische Ergebnisse einer Reise in Niederländisch-Ostindien. Leiden. [80].

  Type data:

   Status unknown, whereabouts unknown, Buitenzorg, Java.

Taxonomic Decision for Synonymy

• Escherich, K. 1905. Das System der Lepismatiden. Zoologica (Stuttgart) 43: 1-164 [107] (L. niveofasciata, L. cincta)
• Wygodzinsky, P. 1972. A review of the silverfish (Lepismatidae, Thysanura) of the United States and the Caribbean area. American Museum Novitates 2481: 1-26 [10] (L. mucronata)

Distribution

States

Northern Territory

Extra Distribution Information

Pantropical.

IBRA

NT: Arnhem Coast (ARC), Arnhem Plateau (ARP), Central Arnhem (CA), Daly Basin (DAB), Darwin Coastal (DAC), Ord Victoria Plain (OVP), Pine Creek (PCK), Tiwi Cobourg (TIW), Victoria Bonaparte (VB)

Original AFD Distribution Data

Australian Region

• Australia
  • Northern Territory: N coastal

Ecological Descriptors

Omnivore, peridomestic.

Extra Ecological Information

Peridomestic in Australia, free-living under stones in semi-desert in the Middle East.

History of changes

• Acrotelsella Silvestri, F. 1935. Marquesan Thysanura. Marquesan Insects II. Bulletin of the Bernice P. Bishop Museum 114: 305-312 [307].

  Type species:

   Acrotelsa producta Escherich, 1905 by original designation.
• Stylifera Stach, J. 1932. III. Die Apterygoten aus den Galapagos-Inseln. Meddelelser fra det Zoologiske Museum, Oslo 29: 331–346, tabs II–IV [333, 345] [pro parte].

Distribution

States

Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Oceania.

IBRA

NT, Qld: Brigalow Belt North (BBN), Brigalow Belt South (BBS), Channel Country (CHC), Central Mackay Coast (CMC), Cape York Peninsula (CYP), Desert Uplands (DEU), Einasleigh Uplands (EIU), Finke (FIN), MacDonnell Ranges (MAC), Mount Isa Inlier (MII), NSW North Coast (NNC), South Eastern Queensland (SEQ), Simpson Strzelecki Dunefields (SSD), Wet Tropics (WT) ; NT, Qld, SA: Burt Plain (BRT), Mitchell Grass Downs (MGD) ; NT, SA: Davenport Murchison Ranges (DMR), Sturt Plateau (STU) ; NT, SA, WA: Central Ranges (CR), Eyre Yorke Block (EYB), Flinders Lofty Block (FLB), Gawler (GAW), Great Sandy Desert (GSD), Kanmantoo (KAN), Tanami (TAN) ; SA, WA: Avon Wheatbelt (AW), Carnarvon (CAR), Coolgardie (COO), Dampierland (DL), Esperance Plains (ESP), Gascoyne (GAS), Gibson Desert (GD), Geraldton Sandplains (GS), Great Victoria Desert (GVD), Hampton (HAM), Jarrah Forest (JF), Little Sandy Desert (LSD), Mallee (MAL), Murchison (MUR), Nullarbor (NUL), Pilbara (PIL), Swan Coastal Plain (SWA), Warren (WAR), Yalgoo (YAL) ; Tas: Tasmanian Northern Midlands (TNM)

Distribution References

General References

Smith, G.B. 2016. On some Silverfish Taxa from Tasmania (Zygentoma: Lepismatidae and Nicoletiidae). Records of the Australian Museum 68(2): 45–80 [66]

History of changes

Taxonomic Decision for Subspecies Arrangement

• Silvestri, F. 1908. Thysanura. pp. 47-68, figs 128-141 in Michaelsen, W. & Hartmeyer, R. (eds). Die Fauna Südwest-Australiens. Jena : G. Fischer Vol. 2. [54]

Distribution

States

South Australia, Western Australia

IBRA

SA, WA: Avon Wheatbelt (AW), Carnarvon (CAR), Coolgardie (COO), Central Ranges (CR), Dampierland (DL), Esperance Plains (ESP), Eyre Yorke Block (EYB), Flinders Lofty Block (FLB), Gascoyne (GAS), Gawler (GAW), Gibson Desert (GD), Geraldton Sandplains (GS), Great Sandy Desert (GSD), Great Victoria Desert (GVD), Hampton (HAM), Jarrah Forest (JF), Kanmantoo (KAN), Little Sandy Desert (LSD), Mallee (MAL), Murchison (MUR), Nullarbor (NUL), Pilbara (PIL), Swan Coastal Plain (SWA), Tanami (TAN), Warren (WAR), Yalgoo (YAL)

Original AFD Distribution Data

Australian Region

• Australia
  • South Australia: S Gulfs
  • Western Australia: NW coastal, SW coastal, W plateau

History of changes

• Acrotelsa devriesiana devriesiana Silvestri, F. 1908. Thysanura. pp. 47-68, figs 128-141 in Michaelsen, W. & Hartmeyer, R. (eds). Die Fauna Südwest-Australiens. Jena : G. Fischer Vol. 2. [53].

  Type data:

   
  Syntype(s) IEA several specimens (in alcohol and as slide preparation), Brown Station Dirk Hartog Island, Geraldton, Yalgoo, Moonyoonooka, Dongarra, Kalgoorlie, East Fremantle, Fremantle, Yarloop, York, WA; ZMH several specimens (in alcohol), Brown Station Dirk Hartog Island, Geraldton, Yalgoo, Moonyoonooka, Dongarra, Kalgoorlie, East Fremantle, Fremantle, Yarloop, York, WA; ZMB several specimens (in alcohol), Brown Station Dirk Hartog Island, Geraldton, Yalgoo, Moonyoonooka, Dongarra, Kalgoorlie, East Fremantle, Fremantle, Yarloop, York, WA.

Distribution

States

Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Known only from type locality.

IBRA

WA: Avon Wheatbelt (AW), Carnarvon (CAR), Coolgardie (COO), Central Ranges (CR), Dampierland (DL), Esperance Plains (ESP), Gascoyne (GAS), Gibson Desert (GD), Geraldton Sandplains (GS), Great Sandy Desert (GSD), Great Victoria Desert (GVD), Hampton (HAM), Jarrah Forest (JF), Little Sandy Desert (LSD), Mallee (MAL), Murchison (MUR), Nullarbor (NUL), Pilbara (PIL), Swan Coastal Plain (SWA), Tanami (TAN), Warren (WAR), Yalgoo (YAL)

Original AFD Distribution Data

Australian Region

• Australia
  • Western Australia: NW coastal, SW coastal, W plateau

Ecological Descriptors

Cryptozoic, omnivore.

History of changes

• Acrotelsa devriesiana perspinata Silvestri, F. 1908. Thysanura. pp. 47-68, figs 128-141 in Michaelsen, W. & Hartmeyer, R. (eds). Die Fauna Südwest-Australiens. Jena : G. Fischer Vol. 2. [54].

  Type data:

   
  Syntype(s) IEA (in alcohol and as slide preparation), Denham and Dongarra, WA; ZMB 2 specimens (in alcohol), Denham and Dongarra, WA; ZMH (in alcohol), Denham and Dongarra, WA.

Distribution

States

Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Known only from type locality.

IBRA

WA: Carnarvon (CAR), Gascoyne (GAS), Geraldton Sandplains (GS), Murchison (MUR), Pilbara (PIL), Yalgoo (YAL)

Original AFD Distribution Data

Australian Region

• Australia
  • Western Australia: NW coastal

Ecological Descriptors

Cryptozoic, omnivore.

History of changes

• Acrotelsa westralis Nicholls, G.E. & Richardson, K.C. 1926. A description of two species of Acrotelsa. Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia 12: 133-140 [137].

  Type data:

   Holotype WAM 63/357a–g (7 slide preparations), Beaconsfield, WA.

Distribution

States

South Australia, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Known only from type locality.

IBRA

SA, WA: Avon Wheatbelt (AW), Esperance Plains (ESP), Eyre Yorke Block (EYB), Flinders Lofty Block (FLB), Gawler (GAW), Geraldton Sandplains (GS), Jarrah Forest (JF), Kanmantoo (KAN), Mallee (MAL), Swan Coastal Plain (SWA), Warren (WAR), Yalgoo (YAL)

Original AFD Distribution Data

Australian Region

• Australia
  • South Australia: S Gulfs
  • Western Australia: SW coastal

Ecological Descriptors

Cryptozoic, omnivore.

General References

Womersley, H. 1939. Primitive Insects of South Australia. Silverfish, Springtails and their allies. Adelaide : Frank Trigg, Government Printer 322 pp. 1 pl. [37] (as subspecies)

History of changes

• Acrotelsella erniei Smith, G. 2015. A new Australian species of Acrotelsella (Zygentoma: Lepismatidae); could it be an endangered short range endemic? Soil Organisms 87(3): 169-181 [170, figs 1, 4–50].

  Type data:

   Holotype NTM I009249 ♀, West MacDonnell National Park, Mount Sonder track near summit, NT [23°34.711‘S 132°34.100‘ E].
  Paratype(s) NTM I009250 ♂, West MacDonnell National Park, Mount Sonder track near summit, NT [23°34.711‘S 132°34.100‘ E]; NTM K377609 ♂, West MacDonnell National Park, Mount Sonder track near summit, NT [23°34.711‘S 132°34.100‘ E]; NTM K377610 ♀, West MacDonnell National Park, Mount Sonder track near summit, NT [23°34.711‘S 132°34.100‘ E].

Distribution

States

Northern Territory

IBRA

NT: MacDonnell Ranges (MAC)

History of changes

• Acrotelsella escherichi Womersley, H. 1939. Primitive Insects of South Australia. Silverfish, Springtails and their allies. Adelaide : Frank Trigg, Government Printer 322 pp. 1 pl. [37].

  Type data:

   Syntype(s) SAMA (in alcohol), Inneston, SA and Sandy Chasm (? = Standley Chasm), NT.

Distribution

States

Northern Territory, South Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Known only from type locality.

IBRA

NT, SA: Burt Plain (BRT), Central Ranges (CR), Davenport Murchison Ranges (DMR), Eyre Yorke Block (EYB), Flinders Lofty Block (FLB), Gawler (GAW), Great Sandy Desert (GSD), Kanmantoo (KAN), Mitchell Grass Downs (MGD), Sturt Plateau (STU), Tanami (TAN)

Original AFD Distribution Data

Australian Region

• Australia
  • Northern Territory: W plateau
  • South Australia: S Gulfs

Ecological Descriptors

Cryptozoic, omnivore.

History of changes

• Acrotelsella parlevar Smith, G.B. 2016. On some Silverfish Taxa from Tasmania (Zygentoma: Lepismatidae and Nicoletiidae). Records of the Australian Museum 68(2): 45–80 [66–72, figs 122–163].

  Type data:

   Holotype AMSA K261103 K261104 ♀ (17–23 April 2015, W. and L. Clarkson), TAS: Travellers Rest, near Launceston [41.49103°S 147.07778°E].

Distribution

States

Tasmania

Extra Distribution Information

Known only from type locality.

Australian Endemic.

IBRA

Tas: Tasmanian Northern Midlands (TNM)

Ecological Descriptors

Dry sclerophyll forest (associated flora: Eucalyptus amygdalina Labill. [MYRTACEAE] Black Peppermint; Eucalyptus viminalis Labill. [MYRTACEAE] Manna Gum; Exocarpos cupressiformis Labill. [SANTALACEAE] Native Cherry).

History of changes

Taxonomic Decision for Subspecies Arrangement

• Silvestri, F. 1935. Marquesan Thysanura. Marquesan Insects II. Bulletin of the Bernice P. Bishop Museum 114: 305-312 [307]

Distribution

States

Northern Territory, Queensland

IBRA

NT, Qld: Brigalow Belt North (BBN), Brigalow Belt South (BBS), Burt Plain (BRT), Channel Country (CHC), Central Mackay Coast (CMC), Cape York Peninsula (CYP), Desert Uplands (DEU), Einasleigh Uplands (EIU), Finke (FIN), MacDonnell Ranges (MAC), Mitchell Grass Downs (MGD), Mount Isa Inlier (MII), NSW North Coast (NNC), South Eastern Queensland (SEQ), Simpson Strzelecki Dunefields (SSD), Wet Tropics (WT)

Original AFD Distribution Data

Australian Region

• Australia
  • Northern Territory: Lake Eyre basin
  • Queensland: Lake Eyre basin, NE coastal

History of changes

• Acrotelsa producta Escherich, K. 1905. Das System der Lepismatiden. Zoologica (Stuttgart) 43: 1-164 [111].

  Type data:

   Syntype(s) ZMH 9 specimens (in alcohol), Peak Downs, QLD.

Distribution

States

Northern Territory, Queensland

IBRA

NT, Qld: Brigalow Belt North (BBN), Brigalow Belt South (BBS), Burt Plain (BRT), Channel Country (CHC), Central Mackay Coast (CMC), Cape York Peninsula (CYP), Desert Uplands (DEU), Einasleigh Uplands (EIU), Finke (FIN), MacDonnell Ranges (MAC), Mitchell Grass Downs (MGD), NSW North Coast (NNC), South Eastern Queensland (SEQ), Simpson Strzelecki Dunefields (SSD), Wet Tropics (WT)

Original AFD Distribution Data

Australian Region

• Australia
  • Northern Territory: Lake Eyre basin
  • Queensland: NE coastal

Ecological Descriptors

Cryptozoic, omnivore.

General References

Womersley, H. 1939. Primitive Insects of South Australia. Silverfish, Springtails and their allies. Adelaide : Frank Trigg, Government Printer 322 pp. 1 pl. [32] (distribution)

History of changes

• Acrotelsella silvestri Womersley, H. 1939. Primitive Insects of South Australia. Silverfish, Springtails and their allies. Adelaide : Frank Trigg, Government Printer 322 pp. 1 pl. [37].

  Type data:

   Holotype SAMA ♀, SW River (as Sou'-West River), Flinders Chase, Kangaroo Is., SA.

Distribution

States

South Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Known only from type locality.

IBRA

SA: Eyre Yorke Block (EYB), Flinders Lofty Block (FLB), Gawler (GAW), Kanmantoo (KAN)

Original AFD Distribution Data

Australian Region

• Australia
  • South Australia: S Gulfs

Ecological Descriptors

Cryptozoic, omnivore.

History of changes

• Acrotelsa splendens Nicholls, G.E. & Richardson, K.C. 1926. A description of two species of Acrotelsa. Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia 12: 133-140 [134].

  Type data:

   Syntype(s) WAM 63/356a–e ♂ ♀ (5 slide preparations), Mount Nairn, Milly Milly district, WA.

Distribution

States

South Australia, Western Australia

IBRA

SA, WA: Carnarvon (CAR), Eyre Yorke Block (EYB), Flinders Lofty Block (FLB), Gascoyne (GAS), Gawler (GAW), Geraldton Sandplains (GS), Kanmantoo (KAN), Murchison (MUR), Pilbara (PIL), Yalgoo (YAL)

Original AFD Distribution Data

Australian Region

• Australia
  • South Australia: S Gulfs
  • Western Australia: NW coastal

Ecological Descriptors

Cryptozoic, omnivore.

History of changes

• Lepisma Linnaeus, C. 1758. Systema naturae per regna tria naturae, secundem classes, ordines, genera, species, cum characteribus, differentis, synonymis, locis. Editio decima, reformata. Holmiae : Laurentii Salvii Vol. 1 10 Edn., 824 pp. [608].

  Type species:

   Lepisma saccharina Linnaeus, 1758 by monotypy (second nominate species, Lepisma terrestris, is treated as a nom. nud.).
• Forbicina Geoffroy, E.L. 1762. Histoire abrégée des insectes qui se trouvent aux environs de Paris. Paris : Durand I. xxvii 523 pp. Vol. 2 690 pp. [611] [junior objective synonym of Lepisma Linnaeus, 1758].

  Type species:

   Lepisma saccharina Linnaeus, 1758 by subsequent designation, see Kerzhner, I.M. 1991. Histoire abrégée des insectes qui se trouvent aux environs de Paris. (Geoffroy, 1762): proposed conservation of some generic names (Crustacea and Insecta). Bulletin of Zoological Nomenclature 48: 107-133 [112].

Distribution

States

Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Worldwide.

IBRA

ACT, NSW, Qld, SA, Tas, Vic, WA: Australian Alps (AA), Avon Wheatbelt (AW), Brigalow Belt North (BBN), Brigalow Belt South (BBS), Ben Lomond (BEL), Broken Hill Complex (BHC), Central Mackay Coast (CMC), Cobar Peneplain (CP), Cape York Peninsula (CYP), Desert Uplands (DEU), Darling Riverine Plains (DRP), Einasleigh Uplands (EIU), Esperance Plains (ESP), Eyre Yorke Block (EYB), Flinders Lofty Block (FLB), Flinders (FLI), Gawler (GAW), Geraldton Sandplains (GS), Jarrah Forest (JF), Kanmantoo (KAN), King (KIN), Mallee (MAL), Murray Darling Depression (MDD), Mulga Lands (ML), Nandewar (NAN), Naracoorte Coastal Plain (NCP), New England Tablelands (NET), NSW North Coast (NNC), NSW South Western Slopes (NSS), Riverina (RIV), Sydney Basin (SB), South East Coastal Plain (SCP), South East Corner (SEC), South Eastern Highlands (SEH), South Eastern Queensland (SEQ), Swan Coastal Plain (SWA), Tasmanian Central Highlands (TCH), Tasmanian Northern Midlands (TNM), Tasmanian Northern Slopes (TNS), Tasmanian South East (TSE), Tasmanian Southern Ranges (TSR), Tasmanian West (TWE), Victorian Midlands (VM), Victorian Volcanic Plain (VVP), Warren (WAR), Wet Tropics (WT), Yalgoo (YAL)

Original AFD Distribution Data

Australian Region

• Australia
  • Australian Capital Territory
  • New South Wales: Murray-Darling basin, SE coastal
  • Queensland: Murray-Darling basin, NE coastal
  • South Australia: Murray-Darling basin, S Gulfs, SE coastal
  • Tasmania
  • Victoria: Murray-Darling basin, SE coastal
  • Western Australia: SW coastal

Distribution References

History of changes

• Lepisma saccharina Linnaeus, C. 1758. Systema naturae per regna tria naturae, secundem classes, ordines, genera, species, cum characteribus, differentis, synonymis, locis. Editio decima, reformata. Holmiae : Laurentii Salvii Vol. 1 10 Edn., 824 pp. [608].

  Type data:

   Syntype(s) whereabouts unknown, America, Europe, Sweden.
• Forbicina plana Geoffrey, E.L. 1762. Forbicina. pp. 611-614 in Geoffrey, E.L. Histoire abregée des insects qui se trouvent aux environs de Paris. Paris : Durand Vol. 2 616 pp. [613].
• Lepisma vulgaris Scopoli, G.A. 1763. Entomologia Carniolica, exhibens Insecta Carniolæ indigena et distributa in ordines, genera, species, varietates, methodo Linnæana. Vindobonae [=Vienna] : Trattner xxxvi 420 pp. [378].

  Type data:

   Status unknown, whereabouts unknown, Carniolia.

  Type locality references:

  Irish, J. in Smith, G.B. 1998. Zygentoma. pp. 7-20, 404-406 (Index) in Houston, W.W.K. & Wells, A. (eds). Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Archaeognatha, Zygentoma, Blattodea, Isoptera, Mantodea, Dermaptera, Phasmatodea, Embioptera, Zoraptera. Melbourne : CSIRO Publishing, Australia Vol. 23 xiii 464 pp.

  Secondary source:

   Paclt, J. 1967. Thysanura, Fam. Lepidotrichidae, Maindroniidae, Lepismatidae. Genera Insectorum 218: 1-86.
• Lepisma semicylindrica De Geer, C. 1783. Lepisma. p. 198 in Genera et species insectorum e generosissimi auctoris scriptis. Lipsiae: Apud Sigfried Lebrecht Crusium. 252pp. [198].
• Lepisma quercetorum Wygodzinsky, P. 1945. Contribuição ao conhecimento dos Entotrophi e Thysanura de Portugal. III. Familia Lepismatidae (Thysanura) 1. Conclusões. Revista Brasileira de Biologia 5: 419-433 [419].

  Type data:

   Status unknown, whereabouts unknown, Serra da Arrábida, Portugal.

Taxonomic Decision for Synonymy

• Paclt, J. 1967. Thysanura, Fam. Lepidotrichidae, Maindroniidae, Lepismatidae. Genera Insectorum 218: 1-86 [19] (Lepisma vulgaris)
• Mendes, L.F. 1988. Revisão do género Lepisma Lin., 1758 s. lat. (Zygentoma, Lepismatidae). Boletim da Sociedade Portuguesa de Entomologia Suppl. 2: 1-235 [25] (Lepisma quercetorum)

Distribution

States

Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Murray-Darling basin*, NSW, QLD*, SA, VIC; cosmopolitan.

Introduced from unknown country.

IBRA

ACT, NSW, Qld, SA, Tas, Vic, WA: Australian Alps (AA), Avon Wheatbelt (AW), Brigalow Belt North (BBN), Brigalow Belt South (BBS), Ben Lomond (BEL), Central Mackay Coast (CMC), Cape York Peninsula (CYP), Desert Uplands (DEU), Einasleigh Uplands (EIU), Esperance Plains (ESP), Eyre Yorke Block (EYB), Flinders Lofty Block (FLB), Flinders (FLI), Gawler (GAW), Geraldton Sandplains (GS), Jarrah Forest (JF), Kanmantoo (KAN), King (KIN), Mallee (MAL), Murray Darling Depression (MDD), Naracoorte Coastal Plain (NCP), NSW North Coast (NNC), Sydney Basin (SB), South East Coastal Plain (SCP), South East Corner (SEC), South Eastern Highlands (SEH), South Eastern Queensland (SEQ), Swan Coastal Plain (SWA), Tasmanian Central Highlands (TCH), Tasmanian Northern Midlands (TNM), Tasmanian Northern Slopes (TNS), Tasmanian South East (TSE), Tasmanian Southern Ranges (TSR), Tasmanian West (TWE), Victorian Midlands (VM), Victorian Volcanic Plain (VVP), Warren (WAR), Wet Tropics (WT), Yalgoo (YAL)

Original AFD Distribution Data

Australian Region

• Australia
  • Australian Capital Territory
  • New South Wales: SE coastal
  • Queensland: NE coastal
  • South Australia: S Gulfs, SE coastal
  • Tasmania
  • Victoria: SE coastal
  • Western Australia: SW coastal

Ecological Descriptors

Omnivore, peridomestic.

Extra Ecological Information

Free-living in W Palaearctic.

General References

Laibach, E. 1952. Lepisma saccharina L. das Silberfischen. Zeitschrift für hygeienische Zoologie und Schädlingsbekämpf 40: 321-370 (biology)

Smith, G. 2015. Australian Lepismatinae (Zygentoma: Lepismatidae). General and Applied Entomology 43: 25-36 [27]

History of changes

• Lepisma umbra Smith, G. 2015. Australian Lepismatinae (Zygentoma: Lepismatidae). General and Applied Entomology 43: 25-36 [27, figs 2-54].

  Type data:

   Holotype ANIC 5- 000012 ♀, Townsville Common, Qld [19.21°S 146.76°E].
  Paratype(s) ANIC 5-000013 ♀, Townsville Common, Qld [19.21°S 146.76°E]; ANIC 5-000014 ♂, Neerkol Creek at Capricorn Highway west of Kabra, Qld [23.486°S 150.345°E].

Distribution

States

Queensland

IBRA

Qld: Brigalow Belt North (BBN)

History of changes