''Desmoxytoides hasenpuschorum'' is a species of

millipede Millipedes are a group of arthropods that are characterised by having two pairs of jointed legs on most body segments; they are known scientifically as the class Diplopoda, the name derived from this feature. Each double-legged segment is a resu ...

and the only species in the monotypic

genus Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of extant taxon, living and fossil organisms as well as Virus classification#ICTV classification, viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus com ...

''Desmoxytoides''. It lives in

Australia Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a Sovereign state, sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous List of islands of Australia, sma ...

. This species is closely related to the dragon millipedes of the genus ''Desmoxytes'', and there is some speculation, even by Robert Mesibov, the genus authority, that the split may not be necessary. While ''Desmoxytoides hasenpuschorum'' is similar to the millipedes of ''Desmoxytes'' in paranotal form and metatergite sculpture, it has a simpler gonopod telopodite with an unprotected solenomere which gives it its own monotypic genus. This species has the ability to produce

hydrogen cyanide Hydrogen cyanide, sometimes called prussic acid, is a chemical compound with the formula HCN and structure . It is a colorless, extremely poisonous, and flammable liquid that boils slightly above room temperature, at . HCN is produced on an ...

to ward off predators.

References

Polydesmida Millipedes of Oceania Arthropods of Australia Monotypic arthropod genera {{myriapoda-stub