Family PAUROPODIDAE Lubbock, 1867

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Introduction

Pauropodids move rapidly and are agile. The sexes are always separate and parthenogenesis is rare.

The family has a near cosmopolitan distribution in all continents except Antarctica and is the most diversified pauropod family with 12 genera and nearly 500 species worldwide. Six of the genera and 16 described species have been recorded in Australia.

Diagnosis

Pauropodidae have six undivided tergites, a simple or two jointed antennal globular organ, setose head and tergites, tarsi with well-developed median claws possessing anterior and posterior small appendages, and anal plates of varying structure.

General References

Scheller, U. 1982. Pauropoda. pp. 724-726 in Parker, S.P. (ed.). Synopsis and Classification of Living Organisms. New York : McGraw-Hill Book Co. Vol. 2.

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