Distribution and diversity of millipedes of the Ryukyu Archipelago, with the Senkaku and Daito Island groups: A literature review (Arthropoda: Diplopoda)

Abstract

Distributional data for the millipedes occurring in the Ryukyu Archipelago and adjacent islets (Senkaku and Daito Groups) are summarized based on an extensive literature survey. There are at least 58 species and one subspecies of millipedes known from the Ryukyu Archipelago (50 of these are native and 8 introduced), 5 species in the Senkaku Group, and 7 species in the Daito Group. Of these, the greatest diversity of indigenous millipede species (32 species) occurs in Okinawa-jima Island. Our results contribute to the knowledge of the millipede fauna in the region beyond the limited account presented in the previous reviews. The results also suggest that large portions of the Ryukyu Archipelago have been poorly sampled, and that further collections would considerably improve the present inventory. © Arachnological Society of Japan.