Brachoria Explained
Brachoria is a genus of polydesmidan millipedes in the family Xystodesmidae inhabiting the Eastern United States. Also known as the Appalachian mimic millipedes, at least 30 species are known, with highest diversity in the Appalachian Mountains, especially the Cumberland Plateau and Ridge and Valley Province.[1]
Species of Brachoria are boldly patterned with yellow, orange, red, violet that contrasts with a black background, and in the Appalachians some species mimic species of Apheloria where they co-occur, a phenomenon known as Müllerian mimicry[2]
Species
There are over 30 species of Brachoria which differ mainly in characteristics of the male gonopods (reproductive appendages), but since many species have very small known ranges, geographic location can aid in identification as well.[3]
- Brachoria badbranchensis
- Brachoria blackmountainensis
- Brachoria calceata
- Brachoria campcreekensis
- Brachoria cedra
- Brachoria conta
- Brachoria cumberlandmountainensis
- Brachoria dentata
- Brachoria divicuma
- Brachoria electa
- Brachoria enodicuma
- Brachoria evides
- Brachoria flammipes
- Brachoria glendalea
- Brachoria gracilipes
- Brachoria grapevinensis
- Brachoria guntermountainensis
- Brachoria hansonia
- Brachoria hendrixsoni
- Brachoria hoffmani
- Brachoria hubrichti
- Brachoria indianae
- Brachoria initialis
- Brachoria insolita
- Brachoria kentuckiana
- Brachoria laminata
- Brachoria ligula
- Brachoria mendota
- Brachoria ochra
- Brachoria plecta
- Brachoria sheari
- Brachoria splendida
- Brachoria virginia
- Brachoria viridicolens
External links
Notes and References
- Marek. Paul E.. Bond, Jason E. . Phylogenetic systematics of the colorful, cyanide-producing millipedes of Appalachia (Polydesmida, Xystodesmidae, Apheloriini) using a total evidence Bayesian approach. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 2006. 41. 3. 704–729. 10.1016/j.ympev.2006.05.043. 16876439.
- Marek. P. E.. Bond, J. E. . A Mullerian mimicry ring in Appalachian millipedes. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 2009. 106. 24. 9755–9760. 10.1073/pnas.0810408106. 19487663. 2700981. free. 2009PNAS..106.9755M .
- Marek. Paul E.. A revision of the Appalachian millipede genus Brachoria Chamberlin, 1939 (Polydesmida: Xystodesmidae: Apheloriini). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. 2010. 159. 4. 817–889. 10.1111/j.1096-3642.2010.00633.x. free.
