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North Carolina Biodiversity Project member Carol Tingley has helped to complete a revision of the millipede genus Apheloria, published in October 2025. Lead authors were Paul E. Marek of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Jackson C. Means of the Virginia Museum of Natural History, and Derek A. Hennen of the Virginia Natural Heritage Program. The open access paper is available here:

Marek, P.E., Means, J.C., Hennen, D.A. & Tingley, C. (2025) Revision of the millipede genus Apheloria Chamberlin, 1921 (Polydesmida, Xystodesmidae, Apheloriini). Zootaxa, 5701 (3), 315-350.
https://mapress.com/zt/article/view/zootaxa.5701.3.4

Apheloria includes the familiar black-and-yellow flatback millipede previously known as Apheloria tigana. A. tigana has now been synonymized with A. virginiensis (Drury, 1770), with its range including most of Piedmont and Coastal Plain NC as well as extending into southern Virginia. The revision also includes the first record of A. corrugata in North Carolina (Ashe County).

Apheloria has been known (though by a different name) for more than 250 years. It is a “colorful and often encountered” genus, commonly seen throughout most of North Carolina. Perhaps surprisingly, the revision of the genus includes the description of a new species. Apheloria uwharrie is found at Morrow Mountain State Park, farther north into the Uwharrie Mountains, and south into South Carolina as far as Myrtle Beach. The color patterns of Apheloria individuals vary greatly within species, but resemble each other between species. They can also resemble other genera within the family Xystodesmidae. This is due to interspecific (and intergeneric) mimicry that serves to warn predators of the millipede’s ability to produce cyanide. This color pattern mimicry can make the species difficult to distinguish. DNA sequencing has clarified the evolutionary history and species diversity of the genus.

Apheloria uwharrie Marek, Means, Hennen & Tingley
2025, from Morrow Mountain State Park