Even though they are called millipedes, these animals don't have that many legs. But finally, for the first time found a millipede animal that actually has a thousand legs.
The researchers said, previously, millipedes have at most 750 legs. Discovery of the first millipede animals with more than 1,000 feet, found deep in mining areas in Australia.
Quoted from the Daily Mail, this animal has a total of 1,306 legs, more than a millipede animal in general and any other animal. This finding belongs to a new species named Eumillipes persephone.
The name Eumillipes persephone, comes from the Greek eu- (true), the Latin mille (thousand) and pes (foot), and refers to the Greek goddess of the underworld, Persephone.
With his colleagues, Paul Marek at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg discovered millipedes at a depth of about 60 meters underground in a drill hole created for mineral exploration in a mining area in the Eastern Goldfields Province of Australia.
The previous record holder for the millipede with the most number of legs was the California millipede species, Illacme plenipes, reported in 2012. Females have up to 750 legs, outperforming males who only have a maximum number of 562.
Now, analysis of inter-species relationships shows that E. persephone is closely related to Illacme plenipes. Researchers think the large number of segments and legs that have evolved in both species allows them to generate propulsive forces that allow them to move through narrow openings in the land habitats in which they live.
Researchers measured a new species found underground in a mining area in the Eastern Goldfields Province of Australia. Measuring 3.76 inches long and 0.03 inches wide, this eyeless species has a long, threadlike body consisting of 330 segments, short legs, and a conical head with antennae and beak.
According to the researchers, their findings highlight the biodiversity found in the Eastern Goldfields Province of Australia. To minimize the impact of mining in this area on E. persephone, the researchers recommend that efforts be made to conserve its underground habitat.
