Nearctodesmidae

Nearctodesmidae is a family of flat-backed millipedes in the order Polydesmida.^{[1][2][3][4][5]} These millipedes are found in northwestern North America.^[4] This family includes the species Nearctodesmus salix. The defensive secretion of this millipede consist of hydrogen cyanide, benzaldehyde, 3-methylbutanoic acid, and 2-methylbutanoic. This evidence confirms that cyanogenesis extends to the family Nearctodesmidae.^[6]

Nearctodesmidae
Nearctodesmus salix
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Subphylum:	Myriapoda
Class:	Diplopoda
Order:	Polydesmida
Suborder:	Polydesmidea
Family:	Nearctodesmidae Chamberlin & Hoffman, 1950

Taxonomy

Authorities often consider Nearctodesmidae to be a junior synonym of Macrosternodesmidae.^[7][8][9] Many of these authorities demote Nearctodesmidae and place the genera previously assigned to that family in a subfamily (Nearctodesminae) in the family Macrosternodesmidae.^[7][10][11] Other authorities consider both Nearctodesmidae and Macrosternodesmidae to be junior synonyms of Trichopolydesmidae.^[9][12]

Genera

Authorities include at least the following genera in this family:^[1][3][4]

• Bistolodesmus Shelley, 1994
• Ergodesmus Chamberlin, 1949
• Kepolydesmus Chamberlin, 1910
• Nearctodesmus Silvestri, 1910