Polydesmus taranus Verhoeff, 1936
Status:
Non-native, accidental introduction.
ID Difficulty
Identification
A relatively small species with Cornish male specimens between 10 to 10.5 mm in length. It is very similar in appearance to, and often occurs with, Polydesmus asthenestatus (a slightly smaller species).
The two species are readily distinguished from each other (and from Brachydesmus superus and other Polydesmus species) by the shape of the male gonopods, which are figured in Gregory (2023).
Distribution and Habitat
First discovered in Britain in 2021 in an ornamental garden in Cornwall 'hiding' among specimens of Polydesmus asthenestatus (Gregory, 2023). Subsequently it has been found on Guernsey in 2022 and on the Isle of Wight in 2023 (it is of note that P. asthenestatus was also found at this latter site).
Adults can be found in the winter months.
Links
MilliBase - Global catalogue of Millipedes: https://millibase.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=941773
BRC code
52