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The Armadillidae constitute one of the most diversified families within the Oniscidea, particularly in the lands encompassed by the Indian and Pacific oceans. The family currently includes 74 genera and ca. 590 species. Previous contributions never considered the family as a whole, but were limited to certain groups or geographical areas. All characters of the family are presented, including some never or seldom previously considered, such as number and position of the noduli laterales and structure of the pleopodal lungs. A discussion of the monophyly of the family is presented together with its definition and composition. The Gondwanian origin, as well as the distribution of genera and areas of endemism are discussed. While single genera are endemic to the Mediterranean area (Armadillo) and the Neotropical region (Diploexochus), about 20 are typical of the Afrotropical region, mainly from southern Africa and the islands of the Gulf of Guinea, and 34 are restricted to the Oriental and Australian regions. Most of the species have a limited distribution while only three are widespread throughout the tropics (Cubaris murina and Venezillo parvus) and the Indian and Pacific area (Reductoniscus costulatus). The armadillids have colonized different biotopes, e.g., from mountain to lowland, primary and secondary forests, savannahs, and arid habitats. Strictly littoral species are not known.