Heterocladosoma bifalcatum

Heterocladosoma bifalcatum is a common species of millipede found in eastern Australia.^[1]

Heterocladosoma bifalcatum
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Subphylum:	Myriapoda
Class:	Diplopoda
Order:	Polydesmida
Family:	Paradoxosomatidae
Genus:	Heterocladosoma
Species:	H. bifalcatum
Binomial name
Heterocladosoma bifalcatum (Silvestri, 1898)
Synonyms
Eustrongylosoma bifalcatum Silvestri, 1898 Australiosoma bifalcatum Brölemann, 1913

Description

This millipede has a striking colouration: the body is blackish-brown while the legs, antennae and sternites are red. It can be distinguished from other Heterocladosoma by: the largest tibiotarsal branch apically tapering and curving widely laterad; the telopodite of the gonopods being narrow in profile; and the femoro-solenomerite being almost straight.^[2][3]

Behaviour

Heterocladosoma bifalcatum can be found in log debris on the ground and also under the bark of trees. The species is most active during overcast/rainy weather and in the early morning.^[3]