Antheromorpha

This relatively small genus of thirteen to fifteen species is spread across Southeast Asia, though as it stands only A. uncinata from Thailand has been broadly kept in the Asian, North American, and European fronts of the hobby. A. uncinata has also been called Orthomorpha sp. "Thai".

As with most polydesmids, Antheromorpha sp. seem to appreciate more rotting wood in their substrate to eat and burrow into than the majority of round millipedes, and this should be taken into account when preparing to house this species. According to one report A. uncinata appreciates leaf litter humus, rotting wood, moss, and lichen to eat, along with frequent feedings of protein via supplemental foods such as cat food and fish food (2). Other enthusiasts report that A. uncinata similarly relishes warm temperatures (80F/26.6C), which makes sense considering the type locality for the species in Muok Lek, Thailand, averages consistently above 90F/32.2C during daytime highs, and for half the year does not get below 77F/25C in nighttime lows. A. uncinata breeds prolifically in captivity and seems to be quite hardy in proper temperatures.

A. uncinata reaches to about 5 cm/2", and offspring, though starting out smaller than pinheads after hatching and being nearly colorless, grow rapidly (a growth report is in the above link) and begin to develop greyish-yellow shading with each molt. Adult specimens have bright red paranota with reddish splotching on the body mixed with black, with brownish legs and blackish antenna. In the wild it is reported that there are color variations in the species but in captivity nearly all specimens are a red coloration, though one report suggests that specimens lose this coloration in captivity, fading to a less intense pinkish color with yellow paranota after just one generation of captive breeding (3;4). This insofar has not been corroborated by other breeders.

1. Pitman. (2017, August 7). Antheromorpha uncinata offspring. Message Posted to http://forum.diplopoda.de/forum/index.php?thread/7003-antheromorpha-uncinata-nachwuchs/&postID=56526#post56526

2. Likhitrakarn, Golovatch & Panha (2016).- Likhitrakarn, N., Golovatch, S., & Panha, S. (2016). Review of the Southeast Asian millipede genus Antheromorpha Jeekel, 1968 (Diplopoda, Polydesmida, Paradoxosomatidae). Zookeys, 571(4), 21-57.https://www.researchgate.net/publication/297657759_Review_of_the_Southeast_Asian_millipede_genus_Antheromorpha_Jeekel_1968_Diplopoda_Polydesmida_Paradoxosomatidae/http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.571.7566

3. Aurora. (2018, Nov 18). Aurora’s Crawling Box, Pg. 2. Post #33, Nov. 18. Message Posted to http://forum.diplopoda.de/forum/index.php?thread/6981-aurora-skrabbelbox/&postID=58365#post58365

4. Nasser, K. (N.A.). Antheromorpha uncinata juvenile. Photographs 1 & 2. Permission Granted to TMED.

5. Sierwald, P.; Spelda, J. (2021). MilliBase. Antheromorpha Jeekel, 1968. Accessed at: http://www.millibase.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=890979 on 2021-11-11