taxonID	type	description	language	source
03EED01CD96CF36F8C59F9D3FD9EFB6F.taxon	type_taxon	Type species Polydesmus (Fontaria) Martensii Peters, 1864, by original designation.	en	Kim, Gyeongmin, Korsós, Zoltán, Hwang, Ui Wook (2026): The family Xystodesmidae in the Korean Peninsula (Diplopoda: Polydesmida). European Journal of Taxonomy 1039: 70-115, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2026.1039.3181, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3181/14139
03EED01CD96CF36F8C59F9D3FD9EFB6F.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis A typical xystodesmid which differs from the closely related Riukiaria Attems, 1938 by a smaller body size (usually under 30 mm), brownish or greyish tergites with conspicuous red, orange or yellow paranotal spots, and the gonopod conformation, especially the two well-developed processes (prefemoral and acropodite) with various additional appendages (Korsós & Nakamura 2025).	en	Kim, Gyeongmin, Korsós, Zoltán, Hwang, Ui Wook (2026): The family Xystodesmidae in the Korean Peninsula (Diplopoda: Polydesmida). European Journal of Taxonomy 1039: 70-115, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2026.1039.3181, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3181/14139
03EED01CD96CF36F8C59F9D3FD9EFB6F.taxon	distribution	Distribution The genus Xystodesmus is distributed predominantly on the Japanese islands of Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu, and in the northern and central Ryukyu Islands (Kagoshima and Okinawa Prefectures). Two species of Koreoaria (Koreoaria amoena and K. pallida) have recently been allocated to Xystodesmus (Korsós & Nakamura 2025), and with the present paper, three more (Xystodesmus bazanensis comb. nov., X. bifurcus sp. nov., X. shirozui) are confirmed for the Korean Peninsula, increasing the number of species occurring there to five.	en	Kim, Gyeongmin, Korsós, Zoltán, Hwang, Ui Wook (2026): The family Xystodesmidae in the Korean Peninsula (Diplopoda: Polydesmida). European Journal of Taxonomy 1039: 70-115, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2026.1039.3181, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3181/14139
03EED01CD96BF3638C30FB63FC52FA8A.taxon	description	Figs 1 – 2, 10 A, 12 A – B, 15 – 16	en	Kim, Gyeongmin, Korsós, Zoltán, Hwang, Ui Wook (2026): The family Xystodesmidae in the Korean Peninsula (Diplopoda: Polydesmida). European Journal of Taxonomy 1039: 70-115, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2026.1039.3181, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3181/14139
03EED01CD96BF3638C30FB63FC52FA8A.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis A small-sized (total body length up to 30 mm) Xystodesmus showing a typical colour pattern with orange or yellow paranotal spots. Differs from congeners by strongly separated femoral and tibiotarsal parts of the male acropodite (Fig. 2: a), a curved and pointed solenomere (Fig. 2: sl), and a simple, flat prefemoral process (Fig. 2: pfp).	en	Kim, Gyeongmin, Korsós, Zoltán, Hwang, Ui Wook (2026): The family Xystodesmidae in the Korean Peninsula (Diplopoda: Polydesmida). European Journal of Taxonomy 1039: 70-115, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2026.1039.3181, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3181/14139
03EED01CD96BF3638C30FB63FC52FA8A.taxon	materials_examined	Type material Holotype SOUTH KOREA • ♂; “ Südkorea ”; SNSB-ZSM Reg. Nr. A 20060019, SNSB-ZSM Reg. Nr. A 20033594 (gonopods and legs, respectively). Paratypes SOUTH KOREA • 4 ♀♀; SNSB-ZSM Reg. Nr. A 20060019. Other material examined SOUTH KOREA • 1 ♂; Gyeongsangnam Prov., Gimhae District, Daecheong Town, Mt. Bulmo-san; 35 ° 10 ′ 42.4 ″ N, 128 ° 45 ′ 11.6 ″ E; 9 Apr. 2023; D. Kim leg.; GenBank nos: PX 471584 (COI), PX 516894 (EF 1 - α) LEGOA 030010 GH 01 • 1 ♂; Gyeongsangnam Prov., Geoje District, Mundong Town, Mundong Recreational forest; 34 ° 51 ′ 38.7 ″ N, 128 ° 40 ′ 2.0 ″ E; 14 May 2023; D. Kim leg.; GenBank nos: PV 446385 (COI), PV 544250 (EF 1 - α); HNHM diplo- 04554 GJ 01 23 • 1 ♂; same data as for preceding; GenBank nos: PV 446388 (COI), PV 544253 (EF 1 - α); LEGOA 030011 GJ 04 23 • 1 ♂; Gangwon Prov., Taebaek District, Won Town; 37 ° 17 ′ 04.1 ″ N, 128 ° 57 ′ 17.8 ″ E; 959 m a. s. l.; 4 Jun. 2023, S. J. Suh leg.; LEGOA 030012 TB 05 • 1 ♂; Gangwon Prov., Taebaek District, Hwangji Town; 37 ° 08 ′ 52.2 ″ N, 128 ° 58 ′ 17.1 ″ E; 740 m a. s. l.; 4 Jun. 2023; S. J. Suh leg.; LEGOA 030013 TB 08 • 1 ♂; Gyeongsangnam Prov., Geoje District, Mundong Town, Mundong Recreational forest; 34 ° 51 ′ 42.9 ″ N, 128 ° 40 ′ 6.4 ″ E; 19 May 2024; G. Kim and D. Kim leg.; GenBank nos: PV 446389 (COI), PV 544254 (EF 1 - α); LEGOA 030014 GJ 01 24 • 1 ♂; same data as for preceding; GenBank nos: PV 446390 (COI), PV 544255 (EF 1 - α); LEGOA 030015 GJ 02 24 • 1 ♂; same data as for preceding; GenBank nos: PV 446391 (COI), PV 544256 (EF 1 - α); LEGOA 030016 GJ 03 24 • 1 ♂; same data as for preceding; LEGOA 030017 GJ 04 24 • 1 ♂; same data as for preceding; LEGOA 030018 GJ 05 24 • 1 ♂; same data as for preceding; LEGOA 030019 GJ 06 24 • 1 ♂; same data as for preceding; LEGOA 030020 GJ 09 24 • 1 ♀; same data as for preceding; HNHM diplo- 04555 GJ 08 24 • 1 ♂; Jellanam Prov., Damyang District, Wolsan-myeon, Yongheung-ri San 86 - 26; 35 ° 20 ′ 22.9 ″ N, 126 ° 53 ′ 25.8 ″ E; 6 Jul. 2024; G. Kim leg.; GenBank nos: PV 446406 (COI), PV 544271 (EF 1 - α); LEGOA 030022 DY 08 • 1 ♀; same data as for preceding; GenBank nos: PV 446405 (COI), PV 544270 (EF 1 - α); LEGOA 030021 DY 07.	en	Kim, Gyeongmin, Korsós, Zoltán, Hwang, Ui Wook (2026): The family Xystodesmidae in the Korean Peninsula (Diplopoda: Polydesmida). European Journal of Taxonomy 1039: 70-115, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2026.1039.3181, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3181/14139
03EED01CD96BF3638C30FB63FC52FA8A.taxon	description	Description HEAD. Smooth, with 1 + 1 frontal setae and several smaller ones on clypeus and around antennal sockets; epicranial suture distinct. Antennae bent, article 1 globose, 2 long and clavate, articles 3 – 5 subequal in length, 6 longest, all setose, 7 small, length equal to width, with 4 apical sensory cones. COLLUM. Convex, oval, its length twice as long as metatergite 2, lateral edges pointed, anterior margin circular, with visible ridge, posterior margin straight with lateral parts directed forward (Fig. 12 A – B). BODY. Collum and first four rings narrower, gradually widening to ring 5, body sides between rings 5 – 15 parallel, then gradually tapering towards telson. Proterga and metaterga completely smooth, metaterga with a transverse depression in the middle, without any tubercles or punctation. Posteriolateral edge of paranota 2 – 4 rectangular, of 5 – 6 slightly pointed, from 7 onwards triangular in shape, with weak excavation on the posterior edge of each of the metaterga. Pore formula mostly typical for Polydesmida, pores on rings 5, 7, 9, 10, 12 – 13, and 15 – 19, positioned laterally on slightly swollen paranota. Rings 16 – 19 gradually tapering, posterolateral projections becoming more pointed, on 17 triangular, on 18 – 19 very long, almost as long as length of metaterga. TELSON. Epiproct protruding, in dorsal view triangular and rounded, in lateral view slightly curved downwards, with 4 + 4 setae sitting on tubercles of sides, and with 2 + 2 stronger setae apically. Paraprocts (anal valves) smooth, with 2 + 2 setae on median ridges; hypoproct semitriangular, with 1 + 1 setae on small tubercles. LEGS. Bases of midbody legpairs well separated in males by 1.2 – 1.9 mm, in females by 1.7 – 1.8 mm, sterna smooth and wide, pro- and metasterna well separated. Coxae of legs from ring 7 short, its length subequal to prefemur, which has a well-developed ventral spine, increasingly larger from legs 9 onwards; femur 1.2 times as long as prefemur, slightly clavate; postfemur short, about ⅓ as long as femur; tibia subequal to postfemur, hairy, about same length as tarsus; podomeres distally increasingly hairy; curved claws on all legs. MEASUREMENTS. Males (based on 13 specimens): total body length 26 – 30 mm, midbody width (including paranota) 4.0 – 6.6 mm, metatergal length 1.0 – 1.6 mm, midbody prozonite width 2.8 – 4.2 mm, collum width 3.5 – 4.9 mm, median collum length 1.5 – 2.7 mm. Females (based on 2 specimens): total body length 27 – 29 mm, midbody width (including paranota) 5.5 – 6.4 mm, metatergal length 1.3 – 1.4 mm, midbody prozonite width 4.1 mm, collum width 4.4 mm, median collum length 1.9 – 2.1 mm. COLOURATION (Fig. 12 A – B). Preserved specimens in ethanol with prozonite and metazonite dorsally equally brown, collum anteriorly with dark stripe, epiproct lighter; all metaterga paramedially with large, marbled patches, adjacent paranota with pale orange or yellow spots, first and last rings excluded. Head brown, antennae, legs, and ventral side light brown, whitish. MALE CHARACTERS. Coxae of legpairs 2 – 6 with pair of protruding, cone-shaped processes, those of legpairs 3 and 6 much reduced, those of legpairs 4 – 5 longer and pointed. Remaining legs and sterna without modifications. Gonopods (Figs 1 B – C, 2 A – F): with two conspicuous processes, prefemoral process (pfp), and acropodite (a), which is divided into femoral and tibiotarsal parts (solenomere, sl) by a cingulum (c). Coxa (cx) stout, subcylindrical, about twice as long as wide, without coxal apophysis, but with single apophyseal macroseta (ms) on dorsal side. Cannula on mesal side, starting near macroseta, then connected to prefemur and continuing in prostatic groove (pg). Prefemur short, stout, bent dorsad, densely setose; prefemoral process (pfp) thin and flat, parallel and subequal in length to femoral part of acropodite, shape variable, sometimes straight and apical part blunt, sometimes slightly bent ventrad and pointed. Acropodite (a) continuing from prefemur until a strong contraction called cingulum (see also Marek et al. 2014: 5, fig. 2 b – c: cg). This part considered as femur, densely setose, slightly tapering distally, and with a parallel lamina along dorsal side. Tibiotarsal part (solenomere, sl) of acropodite starting after cingulum with thickening, then gradually tapering to pointed tip, which is strongly curved back toward prefemoral process. Prostatic groove (pg) runs dorsally on mesal side. FEMALE CHARACTERS. Somatic characters similar to those of males, including shape of collum, tergites and epiproct, as well as strong prefemoral ventral spines, starting on legpair 5. Coxae of legpair 2 with protruding, pointed processes (Fig. 10 A), similar to males, but subsequent legs without any sternal or coxal modifications. Cyphopods in situ closely behind legpair 2, in joint transversal, semicircular-shaped opening; valves (v) of equal size, ventral edges jagged, medially with depression for genital opening, operculum (op) laterally closely overlaying, receptacles (r) deeply embedded under valves.	en	Kim, Gyeongmin, Korsós, Zoltán, Hwang, Ui Wook (2026): The family Xystodesmidae in the Korean Peninsula (Diplopoda: Polydesmida). European Journal of Taxonomy 1039: 70-115, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2026.1039.3181, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3181/14139
03EED01CD96BF3638C30FB63FC52FA8A.taxon	distribution	Distribution Xystodesmus pallidus occurs in scattered locations across the entire South Korean Peninsula (Fig. 15).	en	Kim, Gyeongmin, Korsós, Zoltán, Hwang, Ui Wook (2026): The family Xystodesmidae in the Korean Peninsula (Diplopoda: Polydesmida). European Journal of Taxonomy 1039: 70-115, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2026.1039.3181, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3181/14139
03EED01CD96BF3638C30FB63FC52FA8A.taxon	discussion	Remarks Xystodesmus pallidus was originally described by Verhoeff (1937) as Koreoaria pallida, the type species of the genus Koreoaria Verhoeff, 1937. When erecting the genus, Verhoeff (1937: 319) compared it to Pachydesmus Cook, 1895, at that time considered a large genus of the family Leptodesmidae (Attems 1938). The family was later divided into several families including Xystodesmidae (Hoffman 1978 a, 1978 b, 1980). Koreoaria pallida, together with its sister species K. amoena Takakuwa, 1942, was recently transferred to Xystodesmus, based only on the original description and examination of its type specimen (Korsós & Nakamura 2025). Having been able to investigate a relatively large number of specimens from different parts of South Korea, we became convinced that the specimens we studied are conspecific with Verhoeff’s “ pallida ”. The diagnostic separation of the femoral and tibiotarsal part by a cingulum in the male gonopod acropodite can also be observed in the microscopic slides made by Verhoeff (Fig. 1 A – C), although the direction of the solenomere has changed to that of a right angle, probably due to the pressure of the microscopic cover glass. In all other aspects, our specimens morphologically agree with the original description, so the identification seems to be well warranted.	en	Kim, Gyeongmin, Korsós, Zoltán, Hwang, Ui Wook (2026): The family Xystodesmidae in the Korean Peninsula (Diplopoda: Polydesmida). European Journal of Taxonomy 1039: 70-115, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2026.1039.3181, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3181/14139
03EED01CD967F3628C20FA00FB9EFC1E.taxon	description	Figs 3 A, 15	en	Kim, Gyeongmin, Korsós, Zoltán, Hwang, Ui Wook (2026): The family Xystodesmidae in the Korean Peninsula (Diplopoda: Polydesmida). European Journal of Taxonomy 1039: 70-115, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2026.1039.3181, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3181/14139
03EED01CD967F3628C20FA00FB9EFC1E.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis A species of Xystodesmus as defined by Tanabe & Shinohara (1996) and Korsós & Nakamura (2025) by its small size and colouration already described by Takakuwa (1942 a). Without fresh material, the shape of the gonopods can only be studied based on the figure provided by Takakuwa (1942 a: 362, fig. 5, redrawn here as Fig. 3 A, and in Korsós & Nakamura 2025: 218, fig. 15 a). Acropodite (Fig. 3 A: a) amidst with a broad, leaflike lamina ending in a small point (Fig. 3 A: b), its distal part bent at almost right angle back to prefemoral process, which is slender and curved.	en	Kim, Gyeongmin, Korsós, Zoltán, Hwang, Ui Wook (2026): The family Xystodesmidae in the Korean Peninsula (Diplopoda: Polydesmida). European Journal of Taxonomy 1039: 70-115, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2026.1039.3181, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3181/14139
03EED01CD967F3628C20FA00FB9EFC1E.taxon	materials_examined	Type material (not examined) SOUTH KOREA • 1 ♂; “ Taikyu (Süd-Korea) ” (= Daegu, South Korea); Takakuwa’s private collection, including type material of many species, considered lost (Tanabe & Shinohara 1996; Chao & Chang 2008).	en	Kim, Gyeongmin, Korsós, Zoltán, Hwang, Ui Wook (2026): The family Xystodesmidae in the Korean Peninsula (Diplopoda: Polydesmida). European Journal of Taxonomy 1039: 70-115, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2026.1039.3181, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3181/14139
03EED01CD967F3628C20FA00FB9EFC1E.taxon	description	Description Without the type material and fresh specimens, we can only rely on Takakuwa’s (1942 a: 366) description: “ Rücken graulich, Kopf, Antennen und Bauch gelb, Bein proximal etwas graulich, distal gelb. Seitenflügel mit einem deutlich rötlichen Fleck. ” (= “ Back greyish, head, antennae and belly yellow, legs proximally somewhat greyish, distally yellow. Paranota with a clear reddish spot. ” – translated from German). Female unknown.	en	Kim, Gyeongmin, Korsós, Zoltán, Hwang, Ui Wook (2026): The family Xystodesmidae in the Korean Peninsula (Diplopoda: Polydesmida). European Journal of Taxonomy 1039: 70-115, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2026.1039.3181, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3181/14139
03EED01CD967F3628C20FA00FB9EFC1E.taxon	distribution	Distribution Known only from its type locality (Daegu, South Korea; Takakuwa 1942 a) (Fig. 15).	en	Kim, Gyeongmin, Korsós, Zoltán, Hwang, Ui Wook (2026): The family Xystodesmidae in the Korean Peninsula (Diplopoda: Polydesmida). European Journal of Taxonomy 1039: 70-115, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2026.1039.3181, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3181/14139
03EED01CD967F3628C20FA00FB9EFC1E.taxon	discussion	Remarks In our present material we did not find any Xystodesmus in or around Daegu, which is now a huge metropolis. The original figure is quite schematic, and the description is short (Takakuwa 1942 a: 362, fig. 5), but other somatic characters, such as size and colouration, are definitely implying the species’ position in Xystodesmus, as already stated by Korsós & Nakamura (2025).	en	Kim, Gyeongmin, Korsós, Zoltán, Hwang, Ui Wook (2026): The family Xystodesmidae in the Korean Peninsula (Diplopoda: Polydesmida). European Journal of Taxonomy 1039: 70-115, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2026.1039.3181, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3181/14139
03EED01CD965F3618FD0FE80FDA0F822.taxon	description	Figs 3 B, 15	en	Kim, Gyeongmin, Korsós, Zoltán, Hwang, Ui Wook (2026): The family Xystodesmidae in the Korean Peninsula (Diplopoda: Polydesmida). European Journal of Taxonomy 1039: 70-115, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2026.1039.3181, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3181/14139
03EED01CD965F3618FD0FE80FDA0F822.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis “ Mit Ausnahme von Gonopoden stimmt diese Spezies ähnelr [sic] vielmehr der vorigen Koreoariaart (K. amoena) besonders stimmt sie im Aussehen und Farbe überein, jedoch ist bei dieser Spezies der rötliche Fleck auf Flügel etwas grösser als bei jener. ” (Takakuwa 1942 a: 366) (= “ With the exception of gonopods, this species is more similar to the previous Koreoaria species (K. amoena), especially in appearance and colour, but in this species the reddish spot on the wing is slightly larger than in that one. ” – translated from German.)	en	Kim, Gyeongmin, Korsós, Zoltán, Hwang, Ui Wook (2026): The family Xystodesmidae in the Korean Peninsula (Diplopoda: Polydesmida). European Journal of Taxonomy 1039: 70-115, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2026.1039.3181, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3181/14139
03EED01CD965F3618FD0FE80FDA0F822.taxon	materials_examined	Type material (not examined) SOUTH KOREA • 1 ♂; “ Bazan (Süd-Korea) ” (= Masan, today part of Changwon Distr., Gyeongsannam Prov., South Korea); Takakuwa’s private collection, including type material of many species, considered lost (Tanabe & Shinohara 1996).	en	Kim, Gyeongmin, Korsós, Zoltán, Hwang, Ui Wook (2026): The family Xystodesmidae in the Korean Peninsula (Diplopoda: Polydesmida). European Journal of Taxonomy 1039: 70-115, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2026.1039.3181, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3181/14139
03EED01CD965F3618FD0FE80FDA0F822.taxon	description	Description Without the type material and fresh specimens, we can only rely on Takakuwa’s (1942 a: 366) description: “ Körperlänge 22 mm, Körperbreite 4 mm. An der Hüfte des 2. Beinpaares des ♂ mit rundlichen Höckern, Sternit zwischen den Hüften des 4., 5., und 6. Beinpaares des ♂ mit dreieckigen oder spitzigen Zäpfen versehen, von denen der des 6. das grösste besitzt. Gonopoden: Hüfte breit, ohne Stab. Präfemur breit, dicht lang behaart, mit 2 grossen getrennten Fortsätzen, beide gerade, sind dem Proximalteil des Acropodits fast parallel gerichtet, und erreicht die Höhe sein Ende. ” (= Body length 22 mm, width 4 mm. Coxae of male 2 nd legpair with roundish humps, 4 th, 5 th and 6 th sternites with triangular or pointed cones, of which the 6 th the largest. Gonopods: coxae wide, without apophysis. Prefemur (b) broad, with dense, long hairs, with two large separate processes (c, d), both straight, almost parallel with the proximal part of acropodite (a) and reaching its end in height. ” – translated from German.) Female unknown.	en	Kim, Gyeongmin, Korsós, Zoltán, Hwang, Ui Wook (2026): The family Xystodesmidae in the Korean Peninsula (Diplopoda: Polydesmida). European Journal of Taxonomy 1039: 70-115, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2026.1039.3181, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3181/14139
03EED01CD965F3618FD0FE80FDA0F822.taxon	distribution	Distribution Known only from its type locality (“ Bazan ”, South Korea; Takakuwa 1942 a) (Fig. 15).	en	Kim, Gyeongmin, Korsós, Zoltán, Hwang, Ui Wook (2026): The family Xystodesmidae in the Korean Peninsula (Diplopoda: Polydesmida). European Journal of Taxonomy 1039: 70-115, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2026.1039.3181, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3181/14139
03EED01CD965F3618FD0FE80FDA0F822.taxon	discussion	Remarks This species was considered dubious for a long time (Attems 1938; Chamberlin & Wang 1953; Hoffman 1956), although its relation to the genus Xystodesmus was already suspected (Tanabe & Shinohara 1996; Marek et al. 2014). Even Verhoeff (1937), when describing his Koreoaria pallida, thought that Pachydesmus was close to that genus. Later, Pachydesmus was restricted to the group of species in the eastern United States (Hoffman 1956), but with a schematic description and without type material the Korean P. bazanensis remained enigmatic for a long time (Nguyen et al. 2016; Kim et al. 2023). Recently, Korsós & Nakamura (2025) speculated about its status, but still abstained from assigning it to a genus. Based on our detailed study of Korean xystodesmids, even without fresh samples of the species at hand, but based on the original diagnostic characters (size and colouration), we here take the opportunity to settle the generic affiliation, and establish the new combination Xystodesmus bazanensis (Takakuwa, 1942) comb. nov.	en	Kim, Gyeongmin, Korsós, Zoltán, Hwang, Ui Wook (2026): The family Xystodesmidae in the Korean Peninsula (Diplopoda: Polydesmida). European Journal of Taxonomy 1039: 70-115, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2026.1039.3181, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3181/14139
03EED01CD964F3658C2AFE80FC6AFDDF.taxon	description	Figs 4, 10 B, 12 C – D, 15 – 16	en	Kim, Gyeongmin, Korsós, Zoltán, Hwang, Ui Wook (2026): The family Xystodesmidae in the Korean Peninsula (Diplopoda: Polydesmida). European Journal of Taxonomy 1039: 70-115, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2026.1039.3181, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3181/14139
03EED01CD964F3658C2AFE80FC6AFDDF.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis A medium-sized Xystodesmus with a strong colour pattern typical for the genus. Differs from congeners by male gonopod conformation having three subequal processes: a prefemoral process (pfp, with a small accessory spine, s), a femoral process (fp), and an acropodite with solenomere (sl) (Fig. 4 A – F).	en	Kim, Gyeongmin, Korsós, Zoltán, Hwang, Ui Wook (2026): The family Xystodesmidae in the Korean Peninsula (Diplopoda: Polydesmida). European Journal of Taxonomy 1039: 70-115, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2026.1039.3181, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3181/14139
03EED01CD964F3658C2AFE80FC6AFDDF.taxon	materials_examined	Type material (not examined) JAPAN • 1 ♂; “ Tusima, ” (= Japan, Nagasaki Pref., Tsushima Island, Kamiagata Distr., Kamitsushima Town, Hitakatsu, Mt. Gongen-san, see Tanabe & Shinohara 1996); Takasi Shirozu leg.; Takakuwa’s private collection, including type material of many species, considered lost (Tanabe & Shinohara 1996). Other material examined SOUTH KOREA • 1 ♂; Gyeongsangnam Prov., Geoje District, Mundong Town, Mundong Recreational forest; 34 ° 51 ′ 38.7 ″ N, 128 ° 40 ′ 20.0 ″ E; 14 May 2023; D. Kim leg.; GenBank nos: PV 446387 (COI), PV 544252 (EF 1 - α); HNIBRIV 12832 GJ 03 23 • 1 ♀; Gyeongsangnam Prov., Geoje District, Mundong Town, Mundong Recreational forest; 34 ° 51 ′ 42.9 ″ N, 128 ° 40 ′ 6.4 ″ E; 19 May 2024; G. Kim and D. Kim leg.; GenBank nos: PV 446386 (COI), PV 544251 (EF 1 - α); LEGOA 030023 GJ 02 23 • 1 ♂; Jellanam Prov., Hwasun Town, Baega-myeon, Songdan-gil 479 - 55, Mt. Bakeasan; 35 ° 10 ′ 4.8 ″ N, 127 ° 11 ′ 10.3 ″ E; elev. 480 m; 25 Sep. 2023; G. Kim leg.; HNHM diplo- 04556 HS 13 23 • 1 ♂; same data as for preceding; GenBank nos: PV 446398 (COI), PV 544263 (EF 1 - α); LEGOA 030025 HS 11 23 • 1 ♂; same data as for preceding; GenBank nos: PV 446399 (COI), PV 544264 (EF 1 - α); LEGOA 030026 HS 12 23 • 1 ♂; Jellanam Prov., Damyang Town, Wolsan-myeon, Yongheung-ri, San 86 - 26; 35 ° 20 ′ 22.9 ″ N, 126 ° 53 ′ 25.8 ″ E; 6 Jul. 2024; G. Kim leg.; GenBank nos: PV 446403 (COI), PV 544268 (EF 1 - α); LEGOA 030027 DY 05 • 1 ♂; same data as for preceding; GenBank nos: PV 446407 (COI), PV 544272 (EF 1 - α); LEGOA 030028 DY 10 • 1 ♀; same data as for preceding; GenBank nos: PV 446400 (COI), PV 544265 (EF 1 - α); LEGOA 030029 DY 01 • 1 ♀; same data as for preceding; GenBank nos: PV 446401 (COI), PV 544266 (EF 1 - α); LEGOA 030030 DY 02 • 1 ♀; same data as for preceding; GenBank nos: PV 446402 (COI), PV 544267 (EF 1 - α); LEGOA 030031 DY 03 • 1 ♀; same data as for preceding; GenBank nos: PV 446404 (COI), PV 544269 (EF 1 - α); LEGOA 030033 DY 06 • 1 ♀; Jellanam Prov., Hwasun Town, Baega-myeon, Songdan-gil 479 - 55; 35 ° 10 ′ 22.1 ″ N, 127 ° 11 ′ 0.6 ″ E; 6 Jul. 2024; G. Kim leg.; HNHM diplo- 04557 HS 04 24 • 1 ♂; same data as for preceding; LEGOA 030034 HS 05 24 • 1 ♀; same data as for preceding; LEGOA 030035 HS 02 24 • 1 ♀; same data as for preceding; LEGOA 030036 HS 03 24 • 1 ♀; Jellanam Prov., Gurye District, Ganjeon-myeon, Jungdae-ri, Mt. Baekunsan; 35 ° 07 ′ 55.8 ″ N, 127 ° 36 ′ 12.6 ″ E; 580 m a. s. l.; 2 Sep. 2023; D. Kim leg.; LEGOA 030037 GR 02.	en	Kim, Gyeongmin, Korsós, Zoltán, Hwang, Ui Wook (2026): The family Xystodesmidae in the Korean Peninsula (Diplopoda: Polydesmida). European Journal of Taxonomy 1039: 70-115, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2026.1039.3181, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3181/14139
03EED01CD964F3658C2AFE80FC6AFDDF.taxon	description	Description HEAD. Smooth, no frontal setae, only small ones on edge of clypeus, and none around antennal sockets; epicranial suture distinct. Antennae bent; article 1 globose; articles 2 – 6 long, straight, and subequal in length, about 2.5 times as long as article 1, all moderately setose; article 7 small, densely setose, length subequal to width, with 4 apical sensory cones. COLLUM. Convex, subtrapeziform, length 1.5 times as large as that of metatergite 2, lateral edges pointed, anterior margin semicircular, with a visible ridge, posterior margin straight with lateral parts directed forward. BODY. Collum and first four rings narrower, gradually widening to ring 5, body sides between rings 5 – 15 parallel, then gradually tapering towards telson. Proterga and metaterga completely smooth, shiny, metaterga with strong transverse medial depression, without any tubercles or punctation. Posteriolateral edge of paranota 2 – 4 rounded, of 5 slightly pointed, from 6 onwards triangular in shape, with weak excavation on posterior edge of each of the metaterga, all with strong lateral ridge. Pore formula mostly typical for Polydesmida, pores on rings 5, 7, 9 – 10, 12 – 13, and 15 – 19, in lateral position on slightly swollen paranota. Rings 16 – 19 gradually tapering, posterolateral projections becoming more pointed, on 17 triangular, on 18 – 19 long, almost as long as length of metaterga. TELSON. Epiproct protruding, in dorsal view triangular, in lateral view only slightly curved downwards, with 4 + 4 setae sitting on tubercles of sides, and with 2 + 2 stronger setae apically; paraprocts (anal valves) smooth, with 2 + 2 setae on median ridges; hypoproct semitriangular, with 1 + 1 setae on small tubercles. LEGS. Bases of midbody legpairs well separated in males by 1.2 – 1.5 mm, in females by 1.3 – 1.6 mm, sterna smooth and wide, pro- and metasterna well separated. Coxa of legs from ring 7 short, shorter than prefemur, which has well-developed ventral spine, increasing in size from legs 9 onwards; femur 1.2 times as long as prefemur, clavate; postfemur short, stout; tibia and tarsus of about same length; podomeres distally increasingly setose; curved claws on all legs. MEASUREMENTS. Males (based on 7 specimens): total body length 24 – 28 mm, midbody width (including paranota) 4.4 – 5.4 mm, metatergal length 0.9 – 1.4 mm, midbody prozonite width 3.0 – 3.6 mm, collum width 3.3 – 3.9 mm, median collum length 1.4 – 1.9. Females (based on 9 specimens): total body length 21 – 30 mm, midbody width (including paranota) 4.3 – 5.7 mm, metatergal length 0.9 – 1.3 mm, midbody prozonite width 3.2 – 4.3 mm, collum width 3.5 – 4.2 mm, median collum length 1.4 – 1.9 mm. COLOURATION (Fig. 12 C – D). Preserved specimens in ethanol. Dorsum of collum, prozonite, metazonite, and proximal part of epiproct equally dark brown, nearly black, tip of epiproct lighter; all metaterga paramedially with large, marbled patches, adjacent paranota with wide bright red or orange spots, collum included, but last ring excluded. Head brown, antennae, legs, and venter white. MALE CHARACTERS. Coxae of legpair 2 with protruding, pointed processes, of legpair 3 with very small, of legpairs 4 – 5 with longer and pointed, and of legpair 6 again with small processes. Other legs and sterna without modifications. Gonopods (Fig. 4 A – F): coxa stout, about as long as wide, without coxal apophysis, but with small hump next to single apophyseal macroseta (ms) on dorsum. Cannula on mesal side, starting near macroseta, then connected to prefemur and continuing in prostatic groove. Prefemur short and wide, densely setose; prefemoral process (pfp) long and flat, parallel and nearly as long as acropodite, with small spine on dorsal side halfway (s), last ⅓ flattening, slightly twisted, turning ventrad, apical part pointed. Acropodite with two processes, solenomere (sl) straight and long, distally slightly tapering, tip abruptly narrow and pointed, sometimes subapically with a small, pointed extra process (sp) (Fig. 4 E – F); and another process, called femoral (fp) after Hoffman (1956: 98, fig. 1), which starts at base of acropodite close to prefemoral process, its shape and length also similar to it, flat and parallel-sided, sometimes gradually tapering, until last ⅓, then ends in pointed tip. Prostatic groove runs dorsally on mesal side of solenomere. FEMALE CHARACTERS. Total body length generally shorter than males, other measurements and somatic characters similar, including colouration, shape of collum, tergites and epiproct, as well as strong prefemoral ventral spines, starting on legpair 5: coxae of legpair 2 with small triangular projection (Fig. 10 B), remaining legs without any sternal or coxal modifications. Cyphopods in situ held closely behind legpair 2, in joint transversal, semicircular opening; valves (v) of subequal size, ventral edges jagged, medially with weak depression for genital opening, operculum (op) laterally closely overlaying, receptacles (r) deeply embedded under valves.	en	Kim, Gyeongmin, Korsós, Zoltán, Hwang, Ui Wook (2026): The family Xystodesmidae in the Korean Peninsula (Diplopoda: Polydesmida). European Journal of Taxonomy 1039: 70-115, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2026.1039.3181, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3181/14139
03EED01CD964F3658C2AFE80FC6AFDDF.taxon	distribution	Distribution Xystodesmus shirozui in South Korea occurs in the southernmost parts, Gyeongsangnam and Jellanam provinces (Fig. 15).	en	Kim, Gyeongmin, Korsós, Zoltán, Hwang, Ui Wook (2026): The family Xystodesmidae in the Korean Peninsula (Diplopoda: Polydesmida). European Journal of Taxonomy 1039: 70-115, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2026.1039.3181, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3181/14139
03EED01CD964F3658C2AFE80FC6AFDDF.taxon	discussion	Remarks First, we have to emphasize that our identification is largely based on the high variability of the species outlined by Tanabe & Shinohara (1996). Some characters, including those mentioned in our diagnosis, slightly differ from those given by them who considered, for instance, all three gonopodal processes “ prefemoral ”. Considering the geographical distribution of our samples, especially that of Geoje Island (Fig. 15), we feel confident that the South Korean populations are within the individual variation of the Japanese X. shirozui, the type locality of which, Tsushima Island, is just 80 km away from Geoje Island in the East Sea. Xystodesmus shirozui is new to the fauna of Korea.	en	Kim, Gyeongmin, Korsós, Zoltán, Hwang, Ui Wook (2026): The family Xystodesmidae in the Korean Peninsula (Diplopoda: Polydesmida). European Journal of Taxonomy 1039: 70-115, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2026.1039.3181, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3181/14139
03EED01CD961F37B8C66FDD2FAC8FEA9.taxon	description	urn: lsid: zoobank. org: act: 1 B 1 E 13 DC- 453 C- 4 A 7 E-B 483 - EA 490 FC 4 C 1 C 3 Figs 5, 10 C, 11 A, 12 E – F, 15 – 16	en	Kim, Gyeongmin, Korsós, Zoltán, Hwang, Ui Wook (2026): The family Xystodesmidae in the Korean Peninsula (Diplopoda: Polydesmida). European Journal of Taxonomy 1039: 70-115, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2026.1039.3181, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3181/14139
03EED01CD961F37B8C66FDD2FAC8FEA9.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis A medium-sized Xystodesmus with typical colour pattern, i. e., bright orange spots on all paranota. Differs from all other congeners by having a strongly bifurcated acropodite, and by the 2 nd legpair of females simple, without coxal projections.	en	Kim, Gyeongmin, Korsós, Zoltán, Hwang, Ui Wook (2026): The family Xystodesmidae in the Korean Peninsula (Diplopoda: Polydesmida). European Journal of Taxonomy 1039: 70-115, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2026.1039.3181, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3181/14139
03EED01CD961F37B8C66FDD2FAC8FEA9.taxon	etymology	Etymology Refers to the two-forked acropodite of the male gonopod (bi + furca, furcus = two + fork, forked, in Latin). Adjective, masculine.	en	Kim, Gyeongmin, Korsós, Zoltán, Hwang, Ui Wook (2026): The family Xystodesmidae in the Korean Peninsula (Diplopoda: Polydesmida). European Journal of Taxonomy 1039: 70-115, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2026.1039.3181, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3181/14139
03EED01CD961F37B8C66FDD2FAC8FEA9.taxon	materials_examined	Type material Holotype SOUTH KOREA • ♂; Gangwon Prov., Pyeongchang District, Yongpyeong Town, Nodong-ri, Mt. Gyebang-san; 37 ° 41 ′ 43.1 ″ N, 128 ° 28 ′ 42.7 ″ E; 850 m a. s. l.; 9 Jun. 2023; G. Kim leg.; GenBank nos: PV 446393 (COI), PV 544258 (EF 1 - α); LEGOA 030038 PC 10. Paratypes SOUTH KOREA • 1 ♂; same collection data as for holotype; GenBank nos: PV 446394 (COI), PV 544259 (EF 1 - α); HNIBRIV 8508 PC 11 • 1 ♀; same collection data as for holotype; GenBank nos: PV 446392 (COI), PV 544257 (EF 1 - α); LEGOA 030039 PC 09 • 1 ♂; Gangwon Prov., Pyeongchang Town, Jinbumyeon, Odaesan-ro, Mt. Odae-san; 37 ° 44 ′ 23.3 ″ N, 128 ° 35 ′ 8.9 ″ E; 14 Apr. 2023; G. Kim leg.; GenBank nos: PV 446397 (COI), PV 544262 (EF 1 - α); HNHM diplo- 04558 PC 14 • 1 ♀; Gangwon Prov., Inje Town, Gwidun-ri, Mt. Jeombong-san; 38 ° 1 ′ 23.0 ″ N, 128 ° 25 ′ 53.8 ″ E; 940 m a. s. l.; 8 Aug. 2024; H. Yu and D. Kim leg.; HNHM diplo- 04559 IJ 04 • 1 ♂; same data as for preceding; GenBank nos: PV 446395 (COI), PV 544260 (EF 1 - α); LEGOA 030041 IJ 02 24 • 1 ♀; same data as for preceding; GenBank nos: PV 446396 (COI), PV 544261 (EF 1 - α); LEGOA 030042 IJ 03 24 • 1 ♀; same data as for preceding; LEGOA 030043 IJ 05 24 • 1 ♀; Gangwon Prov., Inje Town, Buk-myeon, Yongdae-ri, Yongdae recreational forest; 38 ° 14 ′ 3.0 ″ N, 128 ° 20 ′ 49.2 ″ E; 480 m a. s. l.; 7 Aug. 2024; H. Yu and D. Kim leg.; LEGOA 030044 IJ 01 24 • 1 ♀; Gangwon Prov., Inje Town, Girin-myeon, Jindong-ri, Gachilbong Peak; 37 ° 59 ′ 17.5 ″ N, 128 ° 24 ′ 27.7 ″ E; 620 m a. s. l.; 14 Aug. 2023; D. Kim leg.; LEGOA 030045 IJ 03 23 • 1 ♀; Gangwon Prov., Inje Town, Girin-myeon, Jindong-ri, Gachilbong Peak; 37 ° 59 ′ 17.5 ″ N, 128 ° 24 ′ 27.7 ″ E; 620 m a. s. l.; 9 Aug. 2024; H. Yu and D. Kim leg.; LEGOA 030046 IJ 06 24 • 1 ♀; same data as for preceding; LEGOA 030047 IJ 07 24 • 1 ♀; Jellanam Prov., Gurye-gun, Ganjeon-myeon, Jungdae-ri, Mt. Baekunsan; 35 ° 07 ′ 55.8 ″ N, 127 ° 36 ′ 12.6 ″ E; 580 m a. s. l.; 2 Sep. 2023; D. Kim leg.; LEGOA 030048 WJ 03 • 1 ♀; Gyeonggi Prov., Gapyeong-gun, Dumil-ri, Mt. Daegeumsan; 37 ° 48 ′ 31.0 ″ N, 127 ° 25 ′ 45.2 ″ E; 270 m a. s. l.; 12 Aug. 2023; D. Kim leg.; LEGOA 030049 GP 05 • 1 ♀; Gyeongsangnam Prov., Geoje District, Mundong Town, Mundong Recreational forest; 34 ° 51 ′ 42.9 ″ N, 128 ° 40 ′ 6.4 ″ E; 19 May 2024; G. Kim and D. Kim leg.; LEGOA 030050 GJ 07.	en	Kim, Gyeongmin, Korsós, Zoltán, Hwang, Ui Wook (2026): The family Xystodesmidae in the Korean Peninsula (Diplopoda: Polydesmida). European Journal of Taxonomy 1039: 70-115, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2026.1039.3181, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3181/14139
03EED01CD961F37B8C66FDD2FAC8FEA9.taxon	description	Description HEAD. Smooth, with 1 + 1 large frontal setae and several smaller ones on clypeus and around antennal sockets; epicranial suture distinct. Antennae slightly bent; article 1 globose; article 2 longer; articles 3 – 5 subequal in length; article 6 longer, hairy; article 7 small, its length equal to width, with 4 apical sensory cones. COLLUM. Subtrapezoidal, convex, its length 2.5 times as long as that of metatergite 2, lateral edges directed ventrad, anterior margin with weak ridge. BODY. Collum and first four rings narrower, body sides between rings 5 – 14 parallel, then gradually tapering towards telson. Proterga and metaterga completely smooth, metaterga with transverse depression in middle. No trace of tubercles or punctation on metaterga. Posteriolateral edge of paranota 2 – 4 rounded, of 5 – 6 slightly pointed, from 7 onwards triangular in shape, with weak excavation on the posterior edge of each of the metaterga. Pore formula mostly typical for Polydesmida, pores on rings 5, 7, 9 – 10, 12 – 13, and 15 – 19, in lateral position on slightly swollen paranota. Rings 15 – 19 gradually tapering, posterolateral projections becoming more pointed. TELSON. Epiproct protruding, in dorsal view triangular, in lateral view distinctly curved, with 3 + 3 setae on sides, and with 1 + 1 setae apically; paraprocts (anal valves) smooth, with 2 + 2 setae on median ridges; hypoproct semicircular, with 1 + 1 setae on small tubercles. LEGS. Bases of midbody legpairs well separated in males by 1.1 – 1.7 mm, in females by 1.6 – 2.0 mm, sterna smooth and wide, pro- and metasterna well separated. Prefemur of legs from ring 7 with well-developed ventral spine, increasingly larger from midbody legs onwards; femur about as long as prefemur, slightly clavate; postfemur short, half as long as femur; tibia slender, setose, as long as postfemur and tarsus; tarsus densely setose; all legs with claws. MEASUREMENTS. Males (based on 4 specimens): total body length 27 – 30 mm, midbody width (including paranota) 4.9 – 5.1 mm, metatergal length 1.2 – 1.4 mm, midbody prozonite width 3.5 – 3.7 mm, collum width 4.0 – 4.4 mm, median collum length 1.9 – 2.4 mm. Females (based on 11 specimens): total body length 28 – 33 mm, midbody width (including paranota) 5.3 – 6.4 mm, metatergal length 1.2 – 1.6 mm, midbody prozonite width 3.9 – 4.9 mm, collum width 3.9 – 5.4 mm, median collum length 1.7 – 2.2 mm. COLOURATION (Fig. 12 E – F). Specimens preserved in ethanol: dorsum pale brownish, prozonite lighter, metazonite, including epiproct, darker; paranota bright orange on all rings, including collum, except ring 19. Head, antennae, legs, and whole ventral side white. MALE CHARACTERS. Collum relatively thin and long (see Measurements). Coxae of legpair 2 with pair of small protruding processes, of legpair 3 with small triangular, of legpairs 4 and 5 with long and pointed processes. Other legs and sterna without modifications. Gonopods (Fig. 5 A – D): composed of three conspicuous processes, one considered as prefemoral process (pfp), and the other one, the acropodite (a), strongly bifurcated into two processes subequal in length. Coxa stout, 1.5 longer than wide, without coxal apophysis, but with single apophyseal macroseta (ms) on dorsal side. Cannula on mesal side, starting near macroseta, then connected to prefemur and continuing in prostatic groove (pg). Prefemur short, stout, bent dorsad, densely setose; prefemoral process (pfp) long, broad at base, thin and transparent (often broken), gradually and straight tapering toward pointed tip. Acropodite (a) densely setose, distally bifurcate in two parts: solenomere (sl), bent ventrad, gradually tapering towards tip and carrying prostatic groove (pg), and shorter pointed process (p), slightly bent toward solenomere. FEMALE CHARACTERS. Body of females relatively larger (longer and wider) than that of males; collum, nevertheless, wider and shorter than males (see Measurements); other somatic characters, including colouration and strong prefemoral ventral spines (Fig. 11 A: ps), similar. All coxae, including those of legpair 2, and sterna without modification (Fig. 10 C). Cyphopods in situ held closely behind legpair 2; opening oval; valves (v) of subequal size, pentagon-shaped, ventral edges each with small peak (Fig. 10 C), operculum (op) laterally closely overlaying, receptacles (r) deeply embedded under valves.	en	Kim, Gyeongmin, Korsós, Zoltán, Hwang, Ui Wook (2026): The family Xystodesmidae in the Korean Peninsula (Diplopoda: Polydesmida). European Journal of Taxonomy 1039: 70-115, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2026.1039.3181, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3181/14139
03EED01CD97EF37A8C67FE81FDF3FA1C.taxon	type_taxon	Type species Riukiaria pugionifera Verhoeff, 1936 b: 298 – 299, figs 1 – 2 (designated by Attems 1938), “ Riukiu-Insel Okinawa ”.	en	Kim, Gyeongmin, Korsós, Zoltán, Hwang, Ui Wook (2026): The family Xystodesmidae in the Korean Peninsula (Diplopoda: Polydesmida). European Journal of Taxonomy 1039: 70-115, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2026.1039.3181, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3181/14139
03EED01CD97EF37A8C67FE81FDF3FA1C.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis Xystodesmid typically of length over 30 mm, up to 80 mm, colouration generally dark grey, brown, metallic green, or uniformly light yellow, orange, or with distinct bands and patches on each ring; paranota also dark or with large yellow or white spots in their entire edge (vs Xystodesmus with smaller body size, and colouration with small red, orange or yellow paranotal spots). Gonopods with two branches, prefemoral process and acropodite form a simple forceps (Korsós et al. 2011), sometimes with different teeth or additional small processes. According to Golovatch (2023: 233): “ Morphologically, Riukiaria differs from Xystodesmus in the less elaborate and largely forceps-shaped gonopodal telopodite, in which among the two main branches, the solenomere and prefemoral process, the former is always longer to much longer than the latter, if any, while the gap between both is very considerable. In contrast, the solenomere and prefemoral process in Xystodesmus are quite variable in length and shape, both lying clearly adjacent and / or clearly appressed to each other, forming no considerable gap between them. ” The genus encompasses 37 species (Korsós et al. 2011; Golovatch 2023), with a wide distribution including the central and southern Japanese islands, Taiwan, central-east China, and North Vietnam. Only one species was briefly mentioned from South Korea (Takakuwa 1941 b), but its occurrence has remained unconfirmed up to now.	en	Kim, Gyeongmin, Korsós, Zoltán, Hwang, Ui Wook (2026): The family Xystodesmidae in the Korean Peninsula (Diplopoda: Polydesmida). European Journal of Taxonomy 1039: 70-115, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2026.1039.3181, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3181/14139
03EED01CD97EF37E8C79F991FA84F901.taxon	description	urn: lsid: zoobank. org: act: B 67 C 0886 - 6 A 00 - 4 C 4 D-B 69 C- 0733 D 70 DBDDC Figs 6 – 7, 10 D, 11 B, 13, 15 – 16	en	Kim, Gyeongmin, Korsós, Zoltán, Hwang, Ui Wook (2026): The family Xystodesmidae in the Korean Peninsula (Diplopoda: Polydesmida). European Journal of Taxonomy 1039: 70-115, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2026.1039.3181, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3181/14139
03EED01CD97EF37E8C79F991FA84F901.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis Typical species of Riukiaria in size, colouration and basic form of gonopods. Riukiaria koreana sp. nov. differs from Riukiaria semicircularis (Takakuwa, 1941 b) by its completely smooth metazonites (vs with coarse row of tubercles in R. semicircularis), lacking a row of sawteeth on male tarsus of rings 3 – 13 (vs present in R. semicircularis), having a pair of cone-shaped coxal processes on legpair 2, by a shorter and straight prefemoral process (vs long and flagellum-like, undulating in R. semicircularis), and by a curved acropodite not reaching the prefemoral process (vs forming an almost complete circle in R. semicircularis).	en	Kim, Gyeongmin, Korsós, Zoltán, Hwang, Ui Wook (2026): The family Xystodesmidae in the Korean Peninsula (Diplopoda: Polydesmida). European Journal of Taxonomy 1039: 70-115, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2026.1039.3181, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3181/14139
03EED01CD97EF37E8C79F991FA84F901.taxon	etymology	Etymology Emphasizing its occurrence in the Korean Peninsula, and its separation from all other species of Riukiaria. Adjective, feminine.	en	Kim, Gyeongmin, Korsós, Zoltán, Hwang, Ui Wook (2026): The family Xystodesmidae in the Korean Peninsula (Diplopoda: Polydesmida). European Journal of Taxonomy 1039: 70-115, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2026.1039.3181, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3181/14139
03EED01CD97EF37E8C79F991FA84F901.taxon	materials_examined	Type material Holotype SOUTH KOREA • ♂; Jellanam Prov., Jindo Town, Gogun-myeon, Jindo-daero 1320; 34 ° 26 ′ 18.6 ″ N, 126 ° 21 ′ 4.3 ″ E; 10 Jul. 2024; G. Kim leg.; LEGOA 030054 JD 07. Paratypes SOUTH KOREA • 1 ♀; same locality and date as holotype; HNHM diplo- 4561 JD 03 • 1 ♀; same locality and date as holotype; HNHM diplo- 4561 JD 04 • 1 ♂; same locality and date as holotype; HNHM diplo- 4560 JD 06 • 1 ♂; same locality and date as holotype; HNHM diplo- 4560 JD 08 • 1 ♂; same locality and date as holotype; HNIBRIV 12831 JD 01 • 1 ♂; same locality and date as holotype; LEGOA 030052 JD 02 • 1 ♂; same locality and date as holotype; LEGOA 030056 JD 10 • 1 ♂; same locality and date as holotype; LEGOA 030057 JD 11 • 1 ♀; same locality and date as holotype; LEGOA 030053 JD 05 • 1 ♀; same locality and date as holotype; LEGOA 030055 JD 09 • 1 ♀; same locality and date as holotype; LEGOA 030058 JD 12 • 1 ♂; Jellanam Prov., Hwasun Town, Baega-myeon, Songdan-gil 479 - 55; 35 ° 10 ′ 22.1 ″ N, 127 ° 11 ′ 0.6 ″ E; 6 Jul. 2024; G. Kim leg.; LEGOA 030059 HS 01 24 • 1 ♂; Jellanam Prov., Hwasun Town, Baega-myeon, Songdan-gil 479 - 55; 35 ° 10 ′ 04.8 ″ N, 127 ° 11 ′ 10.3 ″ E; 25 Sep. 2023; D. Kim leg.; LEGOA 030061 HS 02 • 1 ♂; same data as for preceding; LEGOA 030062 HS 03 • 1 ♂; same data as for preceding; LEGOA 030063 HS 04 • 1 ♂; same data as for preceding; LEGOA 030065 HS 06 • 1 ♂; same data as for preceding; LEGOA 030066 HS 07 • 1 ♂; same data as for preceding; LEGOA 030066 HS 09 • 1 ♀; same data as for preceding; LEGOA 030060 HS 01 • 1 ♀; same data as for preceding; LEGOA 030064 HS 05 • 1 ♀; same data as for preceding; LEGOA 030067 HS 08 • 1 ♀; same data as for preceding; LEGOA 030069 HS 10 • 1 ♂; Jellanam Prov., Wando Town, Gunoe-myeon, Samdu 1 - gil; 34 ° 20 ′ 50.7 ″ N, 126 ° 40 ′ 07.7 ″ E; 27 Jul. 2024; G. Kim leg.; LEGOA 030070 WD 01 • 1 ♀; same data as for preceding; LEGOA 030071 WD 02 • 1 ♂; Jellanam Prov., Gurye Town, Sandong-myeon, Jwasa-ri. Nogodan; 35 ° 18 ′ 08.0 ″ N, 127 ° 30 ′ 48.8 ″ E; 25 May 2024; 1160 m a. s. l.; D. Kim leg.; LEGOA 030072 GR 02 • 1 ♂; same data as for preceding; LEGOA 030073 GR 03 • 1 ♂; Gyeongsangbuk Prov., Yecheon Town, Hyoja-myeon, Gohang-ri, near Mt. Sobaek-san; 36 ° 50 ′ 14.0 ″ N, 128 ° 27 ′ 39.1 ″ E; 750 m a. s. l.; 24 Jul. 2023; D. Kim leg.; LEGOA 030074 YC 02 • 1 ♂; same data as for preceding; LEGOA 030075 YC 03 • 1 ♂; same data as for preceding; LEGOA 030076 YC 04 • 1 ♂; same data as for preceding; GenBank nos: PV 446411 (COI), PV 544276 (EF 1 - α); LEGOA 030077 YC 05 • 1 ♂; same data as for preceding; LEGOA 030078 YC 06 • 1 ♂; same data as for preceding; GenBank nos: PV 446412 (COI), PV 544277 (EF 1 - α); LEGOA 030079 YC 07 • 1 ♀; same data as for preceding; LEGOA 030080 YC 10 • 1 ♀; same data as for preceding; LEGOA 030081 YC 11 • 1 ♂; Gangwon Prov., Wonju Town, Seowon-myeon, Uhyeon-ri, Mt. Baeggun-san; 37 ° 15 ′ 40.5 ″ N, 127 ° 57 ′ 48.2 ″ E; 640 m a. s. l.; 4 Jun. 2023; D. Kim leg.; LEGOA 030082 WJ 01 • 1 ♀; same data as for preceding; LEGOA 030083 WJ 02 • 1 ♂; Gyeongsangnam Prov., Sancheong Town, Sicheon-myeon, Dongdang-ri, Mt. Gugok-san; 35 ° 17 ′ 49.9 ″ N, 127 ° 46 ′ 58.9 ″ E; 640 m a. s. l.; 2 Oct. 2023; D. Kim leg.; HNHM diplo- 04562 SC 13 • 1 ♀; same data as for preceding; HNHM diplo- 04562 SC 01 • 1 ♂; same data as for preceding; LEGOA 030084 SC 02 • 1 ♂; same data as for preceding; LEGOA 030085 SC 03 • 1 ♂; same data as for preceding; LEGOA 030086 SC 04 • 1 ♂; same data as for preceding; LEGOA 030087 SC 05 • 1 ♂; same data as for preceding; LEGOA 030088 SC 06 • 1 ♂; same data as for preceding; LEGOA 030089 SC 07 • 1 ♂; same data as for preceding; LEGOA 030091 SC 09 • 1 ♂; same data as for preceding; LEGOA 030092 SC 10 • 1 ♂; same data as for preceding; LEGOA 030095 SC 14 • 1 ♂; same data as for preceding; LEGOA 030096 SC 15 • 1 ♂; same data as for preceding; LEGOA 030097 SC 16 • 1 ♀; same data as for preceding; LEGOA 030090 SC 08 • 1 ♀; same data as for preceding; LEGOA 030093 SC 11 • 1 ♀; same data as for preceding; LEGOA 030094 SC 12 • 1 ♀; same data as for preceding; LEGOA 030098 SC 17 • 1 ♀; same data as for preceding; LEGOA 030099 SC 18 • 1 ♀; same data as for preceding; LEGOA 030100 SC 19.	en	Kim, Gyeongmin, Korsós, Zoltán, Hwang, Ui Wook (2026): The family Xystodesmidae in the Korean Peninsula (Diplopoda: Polydesmida). European Journal of Taxonomy 1039: 70-115, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2026.1039.3181, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3181/14139
03EED01CD97EF37E8C79F991FA84F901.taxon	description	Description HEAD. Smooth, with 2 + 2 large frontal setae and several smaller ones on clypeus and around antennal sockets; epicranial suture distinct. Antennae straight; article 1 globose; articles 2 – 6 long, subequal in length, increasingly setose; article 7 small, globose, length equal to width, with 4 apical sensory cones hidden among dense setae. COLLUM. Parallelogram-shaped, only slightly convex, its length 2.5 times as large as that of metatergite 2, posterolateral corners directed caudad, anterior margin nearly semicircular, without ridge. BODY. Collum and first two rings narrow, body sides between rings 4 – 12 parallel, then gradually tapering towards telson. Proterga and metaterga completely smooth, metaterga with weak transverse depression in middle from ring 5 onwards. Posterolateral edge of paranota 2 – 4 rectangular, from 5 onwards slightly pointed triangular shape, from 12 triangular, with weak excavation on posterior edge of each of the metaterga. Pore formula mostly typical for Polydesmida, pores on rings 5, 7, 9 – 10, 12 – 13, and 15 – 19, in lateral position on swollen paranota. Rings 13 – 19 gradually tapering, posterolateral projections becoming more pointed. TELSON. Epiproct protruding, in dorsal view triangular, in lateral view slightly curved, with 4 + 4 setae on sides, and with 1 + 1 setae apically; paraprocts (anal valves) smooth, with 2 + 2 setae on median ridges; hypoproct semicircular, with 1 + 1 setae on small tubercles. LEGS. Bases of midbody legpairs well separated in males by 1.6 – 2.2 mm, in females by 1.9 – 2.5 mm, sterna smooth and wide, pro- and metasterna well separated. Prefemur of legs beginning at ring 7 with well-developed ventral spine (Fig. 11 B: ps) increasing in size from midbody onwards; femur about twice as long as prefemur, slightly clavate; postfemur short, half as long as femur; tibia slender, setose, as long as postfemur; tarsus densely setose, about 1.5 times as long as tibia; all legs with curved claws. MEASUREMENTS. Males (based on 36 specimens): total body length 29 – 42 mm, midbody width (including paranota) 5.4 – 7.7 mm, metatergal length 1.3 – 2.3 mm, midbody prozonite width 3.8 – 4.9 mm, collum width 4.6 – 6.5 mm, median collum length 1.8 – 2.8 mm. Females (based on 20 specimens): total body length 31 – 40 mm, midbody width (including paranota) 6.6 – 7.8 mm, metatergal length 1.6 – 2.2 mm, midbody prozonite width 4.3 – 5.6 mm, collum width 5.4 – 6.6 mm, median collum length 2.0 – 2.9 mm. COLOURATION (Figs 7 A, 13). Preserved specimens in ethanol: dorsum, prozonites, metazonite, and proximal part of epiproct dark grey, almost blackish, distal part of epiproct lighter. Posterior portion of paranota with bright yellow spots on all rings, including collum. Posterior part of head and proximal part of antennal articles dark grey; clypeus, cheeks and distal end of antennal articles, femur, postfemur and tibia from legs 2 onwards light grey or whitish; legpair 1, other articles of other legs, and ventral side white. MALE CHARACTERS. Coxae of legpair 2 with pair of protruding, cone-shaped processes, remaining legs and sterna without modifications. Posterior margin of rings 5 – 13 medially with minute serrated edge (Fig. 7 B). Gonopods (Fig. 6 A – D): two forceps-like processes as typical of Riukiaria; one prefemoral process (pfp), and the other acropodite (a) (after Korsós et al. 2011: 57, fig. 1). Coxa stout, as long as wide, without coxal apophysis, with single apophyseal macroseta (ms) on dorsal side. Cannula on mesal side, starting near macroseta, then connected to prefemur and continuing in prostatic groove. Prefemur short, densely setose, prefemoral process straight, directed dorsad, about ⅔ in length compared to acropodite, gradually tapering to pointed tip. Acropodite (a) straight at base, subparallel with prefemoral process (pfp), about 1.5 times as thick as prefemoral process, gradually bending dorsally at midpoint, tip curving, directed towards but not reaching end of prefemoral process. Prostatic groove (pg) running along dorsal side of acropodite, (a) opening at tip. FEMALE CHARACTERS. Body of females wider than that of males, subequal in length; other somatic characters, including colouration and strong prefemoral ventral spines, similar. Posterior margin of rings 5 – 13 medially without serrated edge. Coxae of legpair 2 without projection (Fig. 10 D), further legs also without any sternal or coxal modifications. Cyphopods in situ closely behind legpair 2, in common ovalshaped opening; valves of equal size, pentagon-shaped, ventral edges each with a small peak (Fig. 10 D), operculum laterally closely overlaying, receptacles deeply embedded under valves.	en	Kim, Gyeongmin, Korsós, Zoltán, Hwang, Ui Wook (2026): The family Xystodesmidae in the Korean Peninsula (Diplopoda: Polydesmida). European Journal of Taxonomy 1039: 70-115, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2026.1039.3181, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3181/14139
03EED01CD97EF37E8C79F991FA84F901.taxon	distribution	Distribution Riukiaria koreana occurs scattered across the entire South Korean Peninsula (Fig. 15).	en	Kim, Gyeongmin, Korsós, Zoltán, Hwang, Ui Wook (2026): The family Xystodesmidae in the Korean Peninsula (Diplopoda: Polydesmida). European Journal of Taxonomy 1039: 70-115, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2026.1039.3181, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3181/14139
03EED01CD97EF37E8C79F991FA84F901.taxon	discussion	Remarks In the original description of Rhysodesmus (= Riukiaria) semicircularis, Takakuwa (1941 b) mentioned a single Korean locality, “ Husan ” (= Busan, South Korea). This record was mentioned by some authors (Miyosi 1952, 1959; Shinohara 1977), based on literature and without examining specimens from Korea. Lim (2001) translated the original description, while mentioning “ it is necessary to make a better description based on fresh material ” (Lim 2001: 126). Lim Kil-Young (2024 pers. comm.) admitted that his concept of Riukiaria in Korea needs re-evaluation. Here, with fresh Korean material of Riukiaria at hand, we can clearly establish the differences from the Japanese R. semicircularis (see Diagnosis).	en	Kim, Gyeongmin, Korsós, Zoltán, Hwang, Ui Wook (2026): The family Xystodesmidae in the Korean Peninsula (Diplopoda: Polydesmida). European Journal of Taxonomy 1039: 70-115, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2026.1039.3181, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3181/14139
03EED01CD97AF37D8C62F977FB9BFB0A.taxon	type_taxon	Type species Sulciferus (Levizonus) thaumasius Attems, 1898: 352, fig. V. 112; “ Wladiwostok ”, by original designation.	en	Kim, Gyeongmin, Korsós, Zoltán, Hwang, Ui Wook (2026): The family Xystodesmidae in the Korean Peninsula (Diplopoda: Polydesmida). European Journal of Taxonomy 1039: 70-115, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2026.1039.3181, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3181/14139
03EED01CD97AF37D8C62F977FB9BFB0A.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis Without the possibility to investigate any material, the diagnosis here is given based on earlier descriptions (Tanabe 1994: 102; Mikhaljova 2021: 162). Levizonus differs from all other Palaearctic xystodesmid genera mainly by the arcuate to coiled ring-like gonopod telopodite without prefemoral process, but with a modified apex. The loop makes at most one ring, whereas in Parafontaria Verhoeff, 1936 it forms 1.5 to 2 rings. Levizonus has a relatively long subcylindrical gonopod coxa (vs oval in Parafontaria), and a short solenomere (vs long in Riukiaria Attems, 1938).	en	Kim, Gyeongmin, Korsós, Zoltán, Hwang, Ui Wook (2026): The family Xystodesmidae in the Korean Peninsula (Diplopoda: Polydesmida). European Journal of Taxonomy 1039: 70-115, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2026.1039.3181, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3181/14139
03EED01CD97AF37D8C62F977FB9BFB0A.taxon	distribution	Distribution Members of the genus are only known from the northern part of the Far Eastern region: Russia (Primorskiy krai), North Korea, Japan (Hokkaido), and North-East China.	en	Kim, Gyeongmin, Korsós, Zoltán, Hwang, Ui Wook (2026): The family Xystodesmidae in the Korean Peninsula (Diplopoda: Polydesmida). European Journal of Taxonomy 1039: 70-115, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2026.1039.3181, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3181/14139
03EED01CD979F37C8C32FA81FD70FC61.taxon	description	Figs 3 C, 15	en	Kim, Gyeongmin, Korsós, Zoltán, Hwang, Ui Wook (2026): The family Xystodesmidae in the Korean Peninsula (Diplopoda: Polydesmida). European Journal of Taxonomy 1039: 70-115, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2026.1039.3181, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3181/14139
03EED01CD979F37C8C32FA81FD70FC61.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis “ The main distinguishing characters are: apex of gonopod telopodite not like two plates placed perpendicular to each other as in L. malewitschi; gonopod solenomere, more or less strongly curved mesad (vs not strongly curved mesad in other congeners); the central edge of the gonopod telopodite apex with outgrowths and spinules (vs without outgrowths and spinules in other congeners excluding L. thaumasius, L. nakhodka and L. malewitschi); metaterga with low bosses either everywhere or only laterally (vs smooth in other congeners). ” (after Mikhaljova 2021: 165, omitting references to her figures).	en	Kim, Gyeongmin, Korsós, Zoltán, Hwang, Ui Wook (2026): The family Xystodesmidae in the Korean Peninsula (Diplopoda: Polydesmida). European Journal of Taxonomy 1039: 70-115, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2026.1039.3181, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3181/14139
03EED01CD979F37C8C32FA81FD70FC61.taxon	materials_examined	Type material (not examined) NORTH KOREA • 1 ♂; “ Zyônanri (Korea) ”; Takakuwa’s private collection, including type material of many species, considered lost (Tanabe & Shinohara 1996; Chao & Chang 2008).	en	Kim, Gyeongmin, Korsós, Zoltán, Hwang, Ui Wook (2026): The family Xystodesmidae in the Korean Peninsula (Diplopoda: Polydesmida). European Journal of Taxonomy 1039: 70-115, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2026.1039.3181, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3181/14139
03EED01CD979F37C8C32FA81FD70FC61.taxon	discussion	Remarks Levizonus circularis only occurs in Far East Russia, North-East China and North Korea (Mikhaljova 2021). In addition to the type locality (Sangnam-ri, Yeonweon-gun) Lim (2001: 132) mentioned two females collected by the expedition of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Jueul, Hamgyongbukdo Prov., 5. Sep. 1970, leg. R. Bielawski and M. Mroczkowski (Bańkowska & Sterzyńska 1997). Mikhaljova (2021) added one more in North Korea: Hamgyongnamdo Prov., Lake Čangdžin-ho, 9 Jun. 1965, leg. M. Mroczkowski and A. Riedel (also from the Polish Academy of Sciences). Unfortunately, no material was available for us to study, so in the characterization of L. circularis, we can only rely on Mikhaljova (2021) whose Korean specimens (the same as mentioned above) were first considered as L. variabilis Lokshina & Golovatch, 1977 (Mikhaljova et al. 2000), then later synonymized with L. circularis (Mikhaljova 2021). The two female specimens of L. circularis mentioned by Lim (2001) from the 1970 Polish expedition is probably a mistake as was clarified by Lim Kil-Young in a personal discussion (2024 pers. comm.). Thus, until new and abundant material from North Korea becomes available, it is difficult to estimate the population variability and hence the taxonomic status of the Korean L. circularis, so we keep it as it is, following Mikhaljova (2021).	en	Kim, Gyeongmin, Korsós, Zoltán, Hwang, Ui Wook (2026): The family Xystodesmidae in the Korean Peninsula (Diplopoda: Polydesmida). European Journal of Taxonomy 1039: 70-115, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2026.1039.3181, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3181/14139
03EED01CD978F3738C44FB96FD2AFE56.taxon	type_taxon	Type species Fontaria (Parafontaria) armigera Verhoeff, 1936: 301 – 303, figs 4 – 6; “ Suwa bei Tokio ”.	en	Kim, Gyeongmin, Korsós, Zoltán, Hwang, Ui Wook (2026): The family Xystodesmidae in the Korean Peninsula (Diplopoda: Polydesmida). European Journal of Taxonomy 1039: 70-115, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2026.1039.3181, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3181/14139
03EED01CD978F3738C44FB96FD2AFE56.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis “ Separable from other confamiliars [in the subfamily Xystodesminae] by the following characters: gonopods forming one and a half to two loops; cyphopods with the membranous bellows tube. In some species, the coxae and sternite of segment 3 of females are strongly modified. ” (Tanabe 2002: 2144). Species included At present 14 species of Parafontaria are recognized as valid (Tanabe 2002; Sierwald et al. 2025): Parafontaria crenata Shinohara, 1986, P. doenitzi (Karsch, 1880), P. erythrosoma (Takakuwa, 1942), P. falcifera (Verhoeff, 1936), P. ishiii Shinohara, 1986, P. koreana (Paik, 1963), P. laminata (Attems, 1909), P. longa Shinohara, 1986, P. shiraiwaensis Shinohara, 1986, P. spathulata (Miyosi, 1951), P. takakuwai (Shinohara, 1957), P. terminalis (Takakuwa, 1942), P. tokaiensis Tanabe, 2002, and Parafontaria tonominea (Attems, 1899).	en	Kim, Gyeongmin, Korsós, Zoltán, Hwang, Ui Wook (2026): The family Xystodesmidae in the Korean Peninsula (Diplopoda: Polydesmida). European Journal of Taxonomy 1039: 70-115, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2026.1039.3181, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3181/14139
03EED01CD978F3738C44FB96FD2AFE56.taxon	distribution	Distribution According to Tanabe (2002), all species of Parafontaria are endemic to Japan (Tanabe 2002: 2139). However, he missed the single Korean species, P. koreana described by Paik (1963). Here, we confirm its identification based on new material.	en	Kim, Gyeongmin, Korsós, Zoltán, Hwang, Ui Wook (2026): The family Xystodesmidae in the Korean Peninsula (Diplopoda: Polydesmida). European Journal of Taxonomy 1039: 70-115, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2026.1039.3181, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3181/14139
03EED01CD977F34B8C49FE5DFD01FE4C.taxon	description	Figs 8 – 9, 10 E – H, 11 C, 14 – 16	en	Kim, Gyeongmin, Korsós, Zoltán, Hwang, Ui Wook (2026): The family Xystodesmidae in the Korean Peninsula (Diplopoda: Polydesmida). European Journal of Taxonomy 1039: 70-115, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2026.1039.3181, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3181/14139
03EED01CD977F34B8C49FE5DFD01FE4C.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis A medium-sized member of the genus Parafontaria as shown by its gonopod telopodite forming a complete circle, without prefemoral process, and with short gonopodal coxa. Telopodite divided into two subequal parts, femur and tibiotarsus (“ prefemurs ” and “ prefemurofemurs ” by Paik 1963). Acropodite with two or three small processes.	en	Kim, Gyeongmin, Korsós, Zoltán, Hwang, Ui Wook (2026): The family Xystodesmidae in the Korean Peninsula (Diplopoda: Polydesmida). European Journal of Taxonomy 1039: 70-115, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2026.1039.3181, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3181/14139
03EED01CD977F34B8C49FE5DFD01FE4C.taxon	materials_examined	Type material (not examined) Holotype SOUTH KOREA • ♂; Mt. Sokkri; 24 Jul. 1960; Ji-e Choi leg. Allotype SOUTH KOREA • 1 ♀; Mt. Sokkri; 21 Jul. 1960; Mok-hong Choi leg. The type specimen was kept in the author’s collection, but unfortunately, all types of Paik’s myriapod species are seemingly lost (Lim 2024 pers. comm.). Other material examined SOUTH KOREA • 1 ♂; Daegu metropolitan city, Dalseong Town, Gachang-myeon, Ju-ri, Mt. Choejeong-san; 35 ° 45 ′ 07.5 ″ N, 128 ° 35 ′ 59.3 ″ E; 800 – 850 m a. s. l.; 28 Sep. 2023; D. Kim leg.; GenBank nos: PV 446408 (COI), PV 544273 (EF 1 - α); LEGOA 030101 DG 01 23 • 1 ♀; same data as for preceding; GenBank nos: PV 446409 (COI), PV 544274 (EF 1 - α); LEGOA 030102 DG 02 23 • 1 ♀; same data as for preceding; LEGOA 030103 DG 03 23 • 1 ♀; same data as for preceding; LEGOA 030104 DG 04 23 • 1 ♀; same data as for preceding; LEGOA 030105 DG 05 23 • 1 ♀; same data as for preceding; LEGOA 030106 DG 06 23 • 1 ♂; Daegu metropolitan city, Gunwi Town, Bugye-myeon, Namsan-ri; 36 ° 1 ′ 20.4 ″ N, 128 ° 38 ′ 28.2 ″ E; 560 m a. s. l.; 16 Sep. 2023; G. Kim and D. Kim leg.; HNHM diplo- 04563 GN 02 • 1 ♂; same data as for preceding; LEGOA 030107 GN 01 • 1 ♂; same data as for preceding; LEGOA 030109 GN 04 • 1 ♀; same data as for preceding; LEGOA 030108 GN 03 • 1 ♂; Gyeongsangbuk Prov., Andong District, Dosan-myeon, Dancheon-ri, near Mt. Cheongyangsan; 36 ° 44 ′ 55.0 ″ N, 128 ° 54 ′ 53.3 ″ E; 600 m a. s. l.; 31 Aug. 2023; D. Kim leg.; GenBank nos: PV 446410 (COI), PV 544275 (EF 1 - α); LEGOA 030110 AD 03 • 1 ♂; Gyeongsangbuk Prov., Daegu metropolitan city, Chilgok Town, Gasanmyeon, San 117 - 30; 36 ° 1 ′ 50.52 ″ N, 128 ° 30 ′ 40.32 ″ E; 1 Jun. 2024; G. Kim leg.; LEGOA 030111 DG 01 24 • 1 ♂; Gyeongsangbuk Prov., Cheongsong Town, Cheongsong-eup, Woroe-ri 216; 36 ° 26 ′ 26.0 ″ N, 129 ° 08 ′ 34.3 ″ E; 16 May 2024; G. Kim leg.; LEGOA 030112 CS 11 • 1 ♀; Jeollanam Prov., Gurye Town, Ganjeon-myeon, Jungdae-ri, Mt. Baegun-san; 35 ° 07 ′ 55.8 ″ N, 127 ° 36 ′ 12.6 ″ E; 580 m a. s. l.; 2 Sep. 2023; D. Kim leg.; HNHM diplo- 04564 GR 03 • 1 ♀; same data as for preceding; LEGOA 030113 GR 04 • 1 ♂; Ulsan metropolitan city, Ulju Town, Dudong-myeon, Weolpyeong-ri, Mt. Mugjang-san; 35 ° 40 ′ 47.6 ″ N, 129 ° 14 ′ 27.7 ″ E; 570 m a. s. l.; 8 Jul. 2023; D. Kim leg.; LEGOA 030115 US 20 • 1 ♂; same data as for preceding; LEGOA 030116 US 21 • 1 ♂; Ulsan metropolitan city, Ulju Town, Sangbuk-myeon, Soho-ri, Mt. Goheon-san; 35 ° 39 ′ 18.8 ″ N, 129 ° 05 ′ 02.0 ″ E; 570 m a. s. l.; 8 Jul. 2023; D. Kim leg.; LEGOA 030114 US 08 • 1 ♀; Gangwon Prov., Inje Town, Girin-myeon, Jindong-ri, Mt. Gachil-bong peak; 37 ° 59 ′ 17.5 ″ N, 128 ° 24 ′ 27.7 ″ E; 620 m a. s. l.; 14 Aug. 2023; D. Kim leg.; LEGOA 030117 IJ 01.	en	Kim, Gyeongmin, Korsós, Zoltán, Hwang, Ui Wook (2026): The family Xystodesmidae in the Korean Peninsula (Diplopoda: Polydesmida). European Journal of Taxonomy 1039: 70-115, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2026.1039.3181, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3181/14139
03EED01CD977F34B8C49FE5DFD01FE4C.taxon	description	Description of the type The original description by Paik (1963) is as follows: “ Male: Body length 40 mm, width of postcephalic somites 6.3 mm and somites are 4.4 mm. General colour grayish yellow brown. Distal spines of coxae and prefemurs are seen after 11 th pair of legs. Male gonopod makes a circle. Prefemurofemurs of male gonopod with a sharp small projection on its distal end. Prefemurofemurs of male gonopod yellowish white, and the acropodite yellowish brown. The acropodite with a bi- or tri-partited flat internal branch and horn-like shaped external branch. The distal end of acropodite bipartite. Remarks: Differs in the structure of male gonopods from the others. ” Description based on present material HEAD. Smooth, no frontal setae, only several long ones around antennal sockets and smaller ones on clypeus, thickening at margin; epicranial suture conspicuous. Antennae slightly bent; article 1 globose; articles 2 – 6 all subequal in length, increasingly setose; article 7 small, somewhat longer than wide, with four apical sensory cones. COLLUM. Strongly convex, four times as wide as long, wider and bending more ventrad than terga of ring 2, anterior margin straight, without ridge, posterior margin subcircular with weak, undulate depression in the middle, length about twice as large as metatergite 2. BODY. Entire body almost cylindrical, collum and all rings convex, lateral sides of metaterga directed latero-ventrad, body sides all along parallel, only last three rings narrower and slightly tapering toward telson. Proterga and metaterga completely smooth, and shiny, metaterga medially only with weak, incomplete transverse depression starting on ring 9. Posteriolateral edge of paranota rounded all along until ring 13, then slightly pointed backwards, laterally with visible ridges. Pore formula typical for Polydesmida, pores on rings 5, 7, 9 – 10, 12 – 13, and 15 – 19 in lateral position. Rings 17 – 19 gradually tapering, posterolateral projections becoming triangular and pointed. TELSON. Epiproct protruding, in dorsal view triangular, in lateral view distinctly curved ventrad, with 3 + 3 setae on sides, and with 1 + 1 setae apically, sitting on small tubercles; paraprocts (anal valves) wrinkled, with 2 + 2 setae on sides and median ridges; hypoproct semicircular, with 1 + 1 setae on large tubercles. LEGS. Bases of midbody legpairs well separated in males by 1.4 – 1.8 mm, in females 1.6 – 2.2 mm, sterna smooth and wide, pro- and metasterna well separated. Prefemur of legs without (Fig. 11 C) or with only very small ventral spine, and without any other extra modifications; femur 1.5 times as long as prefemur, slightly clavate; postfemur short, half as long as femur; tibia slender, 1.2 times as long as postfemur, tarsus twice as long; all articles scarcely setose; all legs with long claws. MEASUREMENTS. Males (based on 10 specimens): total body length 32 – 38 mm, midbody width (including paranota) 5.3 – 6.6 mm, metatergal length 1.4 – 1.8 mm, midbody prozonite width 3.9 – 4.6 mm, collum width 5.2 – 5.9 mm, median collum length 1.9 – 2.8 mm. Females (based on 9 specimens): total body length 33 – 38 mm, midbody width (including paranota) 6.2 – 7.5 mm, metatergal length 1.6 – 1.9 mm, midbody prozonite width 4.7 – 5.2 mm, collum width 5.5 – 6.2 mm, median collum length 2.3 – 2.8 mm. COLOURATION (Fig. 14). Specimens preserved in ethanol: dorsal side of metazonites, including collum and anterior part of epiproct, dark grey, almost black, paramedially with large marbled patches, without any light part of paranotal spots; prozonites pink, with dark, incomplete, transverse medial strip. Head light grey; cheeks, antennae, legs, posterior part of epiproct light brownish grey; ventral side whitish sometimes with pinkish tone. MALE CHARACTERS. Coxae of legpair 2 with protruding cone-shaped processes, of legpair 3 with small pointed, of legpair 4 with rectangular processes, other legs without modifications. Gonopods (Figs 8 – 9): typical Parafontaria - type, with a single long telopodite, curving into a nearly complete ring. Coxa stout, cubiform, with a blunt apophyseal process (ca), and with two large macrosetae (ms) on dorsal side. Cannula starts at base of apophysis, turns to telopodite, and continues in prostatic groove, running all along on its mesal side. Prefemur (pf) short, densely setose, with a hump dorsally. Telopodite divided into two parts subequal in length, femur (f) and tibiotarsus (tt), also noticeable by their colour, femur being whitish and tibiotarsus yellowish, darker. Femur bending into quarter circle, rarely bristly on ventral side; tibiotarsus hairless, takes hard turn dorsad and bends back almost reaching coxal apophysis; at ¾ with flat, triangular or sharply pointed tibiotarsal process (ttp) pointing ventrad, sometimes with small tooth (t) at tip (Fig. 9 B, D); after that continues into acropodite. Acropodite with pointed mesal process (mp), shorter than tibiotarsal process; and ends in small, pointed apical process (ap). Prostatic groove opens on very small solenomere process (sp) always below tip of acropodite (names of processes follow Tanabe 2002: 2149, fig. 10 e). FEMALE CHARACTERS. Somatic characters, including colouration, similar. Coxae of legpair 2 with small triangular projection (Fig. 10 H), further legs without any sternal or coxal modifications. Cyphopods (Fig. 10 E – G) in situ held closely behind legpair 2, aperture oval, normally deeply embedded; valves (v) of equal size, ventral edges smooth, operculum (op) laterally closely overlaying, receptacles (r) hardly visible or missing, instead long, bellow-like tubes (b) under valves. Sometimes these tubes protracted at length, in other cases compressed, compact (Fig. 10 E – G); their function probably expressed during copulation, accepting long male solenomere.	en	Kim, Gyeongmin, Korsós, Zoltán, Hwang, Ui Wook (2026): The family Xystodesmidae in the Korean Peninsula (Diplopoda: Polydesmida). European Journal of Taxonomy 1039: 70-115, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2026.1039.3181, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3181/14139
03EED01CD977F34B8C49FE5DFD01FE4C.taxon	distribution	Distribution The species is found scattered across the South Korean Peninsula (Fig. 15).	en	Kim, Gyeongmin, Korsós, Zoltán, Hwang, Ui Wook (2026): The family Xystodesmidae in the Korean Peninsula (Diplopoda: Polydesmida). European Journal of Taxonomy 1039: 70-115, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2026.1039.3181, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3181/14139
03EED01CD977F34B8C49FE5DFD01FE4C.taxon	discussion	Remarks The generic status of this species was unconfirmed because the diagnostic character of Parafontaria – the exaggerated female genitalia with bellow tubes (Tanabe & Sota 2008: 2014) – was not mentioned in the original description. Tanabe & Sota (2014: 442 – 444) hypothesized that Parafontaria and Levizonus can be differentiated by the structure of the female genitalia: Parafontaria possesses fully developed bellow tubes and lacks receptacles (Tanabe 2002: 2154, fig. 15), whereas Levizonus exhibits partially developed bellow tubes and retains receptacles, as observed in two Japanese species, L. montana and L. takakuwai (Tanabe 1994: 105, figs 2 e – f and 5 g – e; Tanabe & Sota 2014: 443, fig. 2). In the freshly collected female specimens of P. koreana, we could observe both fully and only partially extended bellow tubes, and receptacles were hardly seen (Fig. 10 E – H).	en	Kim, Gyeongmin, Korsós, Zoltán, Hwang, Ui Wook (2026): The family Xystodesmidae in the Korean Peninsula (Diplopoda: Polydesmida). European Journal of Taxonomy 1039: 70-115, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2026.1039.3181, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3181/14139
