The Australian silverfish fauna (Order Zygentoma) – abundant, diverse, ancient and largely ignored

The Australian silverfish fauna is reviewed at the level of genus, based on the literature and almost 1000 additional collection events. The morphology, biology and collection methods for the Zygentoma are briefly reviewed. A key to the genera found in Australia is provided. Seventy species in 23 genera in two of the five extant families have now been described. Of these, six species are introduced cosmopolitan anthropophilic species, although only one of these ('Ctenolepisma longicaudata' Escherich) is common and of only limited economic importance. The fauna demonstrates a high degree of endemism with 88% of described species and 52% of genera known only from Australia. Four (of six) subfamilies of the Lepismatidae are represented by autochthonous species. The lepismatid genera 'Acrotelsella' Silvestri and 'Heterolepisma' Escherich are very abundant but only a very small percentage of their species have been described; both genera have ranges extending beyond Australia. Within the Nicoletiidae, three of the five subfamilies are represented, many collected from deep subterranean habitats via mining exploration bore holes and many still undescribed. Eight genera of the inquiline Atelurinae belong to a single tribe, the Atopatelurini, with 'Wooroonatelura' Smith currently unplaced. Four of these supposedly inquiline genera have been collected from caves or deep subterranean habitats with no obvious host association. The zoogeography of this ancient Order and conservation issues are discussed.