Key to orders

Reminder: this key is for Tasmania only. It leaves out two orders found on the Australian mainland, and another seven millipede orders found outside Australia.

1a. Less than 5 mm long, "hairy" with bristles in obvious rows or clumps ..........Polyxenida 1b. Usually more than 5 mm long, if "hairy" then with no obvious clumps or rows of bristles ..........go to 2

2a. Body a third to a half as wide as long, strongly convex on top; animal can curl into a ball ..........Sphaerotheriida 2b. Body much longer than wide, animal cannot curl into a ball ..........go to 3

3a. Body convex above, flat beneath (A), in some species with long stripes (C) ..........Polyzoniida 3b. Body more or less cylindrical (B) ..........go to 4

4a. Adults with 19 or 20 body segments, no eyes ..........Polydesmida 4b. Adults with more than 20 body segments, usually with eyes ..........go to 5

5a. Adults with 30 or 32 body segments, usually with 6 long bristles (setae) on top of each segment ..........Chordeumatida

5b. Adults with more than 32 body segments, no long setae, body smooth and cylindrical ..........'Juliform' orders: Spirostreptida and Julida