Скачать или смотреть Python Millipede (Nyssodesmus python) - Costa Rica, February 2024

Also sometimes known as the Large Forest-floor millipede this is one of twelve species of 'flat-backed millipedes' in the genus Nyssodesmus, belonging to the family 'Platyrhacidae', all of whom are found in Central America.

In this case, N. python is mostly to be found on the forest floors of Costa Rica up to an elevation of approx. 1,200 ft.

N. python is also very often to be found in pairs. Males ride atop females for up to several days following mating to prevent another male doing the same.

This is known as 'mate guarding'. once mated the female stores the male's sperm until she oviposits at which time fertilisation occurs. This can take several days, so the male is very much protecting its heritage by protecting the female from other potential suiters.

'Large' is a fair description given the species can grow up to four inches in length.

Looking somewhat like a human spine as it makes its way, this millipede has a cream/yellowish line down its centre with brown or black stripes running alongside and slightly more orange edges. Other individuals can be predominantly brown with lighter edges.

While its not known to bite humans it has strong defences against potential predators, which is just as well, given how slowly it traverses the ground. This is partly due to the additional weight of the exoskeleton, which is calcified, making it much harder than that of a typical arthropod. Additional protection is given when it curls up tightly.

More impressively, when threatened it secretes a potent chemical mix of cyanide and benzaldehyde that makes it distinctly unpalatable to most would-be predators.

Millipedes like this play an important part in the ecosystem feeding on and recycling decomposing plant matter and mosses.

Although 'Millipede' refers to a thousand legs, each body section actually has two sets of legs on each side, giving this individual approx. seventy two legs.

Altogether, a very impressive Arthropod!

PK

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