Biology: First millipede with more than 1,000 legs discovered
A paper reporting the first discovery of a millipede with more than 1000 legs will be published in Scientific Reports this week.So far, no millipede with more than 750 legs has been found.
Now, Paul Marek and colleagues have discovered the millipede 60 meters below a drill hole drilled for mineral exploration in a mining area in the East Goldfields region of Western Australia.The millipede has 1306 legs, more than any other animal, belongs to a new species, and was named Eumillipes persephone.Millipede, meaning millipede, is derived from the Greek words eu- (true) and the Latin words mille (1000) and pes (foot). persephone represents Persephone, the queen of the underworld in Greek mythology. Marek et al. Measured four individuals belonging to this new species and found that their elongated filamentous torso had up to 4 somites, up to 330 mm wide and up to 0.95 mm long.These millipedes have no eyes, short legs, and a conical head with antennae and beaks.
Analysis of the interspecific relationships suggests that E. persephone is closely related to the millipede Illacme plenipes, which has the highest number of legs in California, USA. Marek et al. Believe that the numerous somites and feet that have evolved in these two species generate pushing forces to pass through the narrow gaps in the soil environment of the habitat.
Our findings highlight biodiversity within the East Gold Fields region. Marek et al. Suggest that efforts should be made to conserve the underground E. persephone habitat in order to minimize the impact of mining in the area on E. persephone.
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Reprinted from: "Biology: Millipede with more than 1000 legs discovered for the first time'