Polydesmida: Paradoxosomatidae: Pogonosternum

Each of the two Tasmanian Pogonosternum species also occurs on the Australian mainland and on islands in Bass Strait. On the Tasmanian mainland, they can be found sheltering in leaf litter in eucalypt forest and coastal scrub, but I have also seen P. jeekeli wandering in the daytime in grassland at Petal Point. Both species grow to 20-25 mm long and are easily recognised by their longitudinal striping.

The genus Pogonosternum is currently classified in subfamily Australiosomatinae, tribe Antichiropodini.

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Pogonosternum jeekeli Decker in Decker et al., 2017

This species also occurs in eastern Victoria and southern New South Wales.

 

The two views of the gonopod tip are modified from images prepared by Peter Decker

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Pogonosternum nigrovirgatum (Carl, 1902)

The record from Launceston (see map) is likely to be an introduction from Victoria. P. nigrovirgatum occurs abundantly both east and west of Melbourne.

 

The two views of the gonopod tip are modified from images prepared by Peter Decker

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