Cleidogonidae Cook, 1896a

Family Cleidogonidae Cook, 1896a View in CoL

Diagnosis. In North America, chordeumatid millipedes with mentum divided, unlike Conotylidae Cook, 1896a and Adritylidae Shear, 1971 . Anterior gonopods with prominent angiocoxites, sometimes divided into two branches, but always lacking flagella, unlike families in Striariidea Cook, 1896b and Brannerioidea Cook, 1896b. Colpocoxites fused at their bases, unlike Trichopetalidae Verhoeff, 1914 .

Remarks. The interpretation of cleidogonid gonopods by Shear (1972) seemed correct at the time, but more extensive experience with the family has resulted in changes. The structures previously called colpocoxites (derivatives of the sclerotized coxal glands) are now considered angiocoxites (formed from the rims of coxal glands), and the previous “telopodites” are actually the colpocoxites ( Shear 2024). Cleidogonid gonopods have entirely lost telopodites. The ninth legpair, formerly referred to as posterior gonopods, are now best called ninth legs since, though modified, they play no role in spermatophore transfer. Further description of the gonopods, specific to Cleidogona , are in the discussion below.