Thyropygus

Note: this genus, both taxonomically and in terms of what has, is, and may be available to breeders, is a disaster. Many species have been lost due to a lack of coordinated captive breeding projects. Threading the way through the conflicting reports, poor photography, and lack of readily accessible info is difficult at best, and it is to be hoped that further work on this genus will be done to clarify the situation.

~Arthroverts

With 65 described species and doubtless many more waiting to be discovered, Thyropygus is a mid-sized genus ranging across Asia and Oceania (2). Many species reputedly belonging to this genus have been made available to enthusiasts and breeders over the years, though most have been unidentified and lacking locality information. As such, many species have been given numbers, though since there is no official numbering system for unidentified species (something this database hopes to change) it is only as effective as those who follow it. Still other species have names based off of coloration, further muddying the pool of understanding.

Most members of this genus seems to get on well with standard millipede care, though some species appear to be tricky to breed. Whether an environmental trigger is needed or some care requirement is just not being met is still unknown. The behavior and appearance of offspring for most species is not yet known.

Thyropygus sp. "2"/"Purple Banded" species images compliments of MillipedeTrain (3). This large (adult male measuring in at 9"/22.9 cm) species possesses very long legs and a strong grip, implying that it might be arboreal in the wild. Its origins are unknown at this time.

Thyropygus pachyurus species images compliments of Arthroverts (4). This large species (adult males reaching to 9"/22.9 cm, adult females about 8"-8.5"/20.3-21.6 cm) has been bred successfully in American museums and zoos. First photo of adult female, second photo of two immatures.

  1. Sierwald, P.; Spelda, J. (2021). MilliBase. Thyropygus Pocock, 1894. Accessed at: http://www.millibase.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=893942 on 2021-11-12

  2. iNaturalist. (2021). Genus Thropygus. Map. https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/424108-Thyropygus

  3. MillipedeTrain. (N.A.). Thyropygus sp. “2”/”Purple Banded”. Photography. Photographs 1-3. Permission Granted to TMED. https://sites.google.com/view/millipedeenthusiastdatabase/harpagophoridae/thyropygus?authuser=0

  4. Arthroverts. (N.A.). Thyropygus pachyurus. Photography. Photographs 1 & 2. Permission Granted to TMED. https://sites.google.com/view/millipedeenthusiastdatabase/harpagophoridae/thyropygus?authuser=0\