First true millipede discovered in Australia


 


The word millipede literally translates to a thousand feet. I guess the first person that saw one of these animals just figured it was a lot of feet and a thousand sounded about right! However, there has never been a millipede with a thousand feet discovered. Until now.

The closest to that number is a species in California that clocks in at around 750 feet in total. That record has now been replaced as excavators in Australia has found a species with a whopping 1,306 of tiny legs and feet making it the first true millipede.

Found about 60 meters below ground, this pale blind species has long antennas and a rather thin body composed of 330 segments.

Dr Juanita Rodriguez, a research collaborator and CSIRO insect expert, said the new species had likely evolved its length for ease of movement underground.

“The more length you have, the more strength to propel forward,” she said. The millipede’s more than 300 body segments would also give it greater force for movement in rocky areas such as small crevices, she said

Nature is always finding ways to amaze us and the biodiversity we have on this planet becomes more evident each day. To read more, please click the link below.

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