A review of the volvatory Polydesmida, with special reference to the patterns of volvation (Diplopoda)

African Invertebrates 44 (1): 39-60, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.7664731 ABSTRACT The volvatory, or ‘oniscoid’ Polydesmida are reviewed at the family level, with descriptions of their volvation patterns, and diagnostic accounts for the following nine groups involved: Ammodesmidae, Campodesmidae, Cyrtodesmidae, Doratodesmidae, Dorsoporidae, Oniscodesmidae, Sphaeriodesmidae, Hyperothrix Attems, 1900 (?

Pyrgodesmidae), and Asphalidesmus Silvestri, 1910 (Dalodesmoidea). These patterns, although rather characteristic at the generic level, are now known to vary within, as well as between families; this perception plus some new observations allow refinements to the existing classification of Polydesmida.