Seychelles giant millipede
| Seychelles giant millipede | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Myriapoda |
| Class: | Diplopoda |
| Order: | Spirostreptida |
| Family: | Spirostreptidae |
| Genus: | Sechelleptus |
| Species: | S. seychellarum
|
| Binomial name | |
| Sechelleptus seychellarum (Desjardins, 1834)
| |
| Synonyms | |
| |
The Seychelles giant millipede (Sechelleptus seychellarum) is a species of millipede often over 15cm long,[2] endemic to 14 islands within the Seychelles, with an extent of occurrence of 600 km2 (230 sq mi), and occupancy area of 37 km2 (14 sq mi).[1] The species has been listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List.[1]
The species is found to have a higher density in elevated areas with a presence of rock coverage, and uses granite rock crevices, fallen logs, and other rotting wood debris as diurnal refuges in forested habitats.[3]
The species prefers to feed on the softer freshly fallen leaf litter of native plant species including Pisonia grandis and Ficus sp.[4] The species is threatened by the introduction and spread of the non-native bamboo plant Bambusa vulgaris, whose presence is associated with lower population density within the species.[4] The leaf litter of Bambusa vulgaris can dominate the leaf litter of the native flora that the species feeds on, reducing its food resources.[4]
References
- ^ a b c Gerlach, J. (2014). "Sechelleptus seychellarum". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2014 e.T201481A2706807. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2014-1.RLTS.T201481A2706807.en. Retrieved 25 February 2024.
- ^ "Seychelles Giant Millepede". Nature Seychelles. 28 March 2024.
- ^ Lawrence, James M.; Samways, Michael J.; Kelly, Janine A.; Henwood, Jock (2013-06-01). "Beyond vegetation-based habitat restoration for a threatened giant Spirostreptid millipede". Journal of Insect Conservation. 17 (3): 557–564. doi:10.1007/s10841-012-9541-9. ISSN 1572-9753.
- ^ a b c Lawrence, James M.; Samways, Michael J.; Kelly, Janine A.; Henwood, Jock (2013-05-01). "A Behavioural Ecology Approach to Assessing the Effect of Alien Vegetation on a Threatened Giant Millipede". Journal of Insect Behavior. 26 (3): 428–439. doi:10.1007/s10905-012-9363-3. ISSN 1572-8889.