Abstract
Three new monotypic genera of Schizogyniidae, Terrogynium gen. nov., Xenogynium gen. nov. and Zygogynium gen. nov., are described from a spirobolid millipede in New Caledonia. Terrogynium has females with chelicerae presumably modified for parasitism, and both sexes have numerous flattened ventral setae, convergent with many Paramegistidae. Xenogynium and Zygogynium are less-specialised genera with the former appearing closer to Terrogynium. Genus relationships are difficult to determine. These three genera are probably most closely related to each other but as a group it lacks convincing unique synapomorphies. Possible synapomorphies may instead reflect convergence for living on hosts, such as their shortened peritremes and loss of pretarsal claws, characters found elsewhere in the Schizogyniidae. The origins of the Schizogyniidae are discussed and a key to genera of Schizogyniidae is provided.
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