Glomerida

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Glomerida
Temporal range: Cenomanian–Recent
Glomeris sublimbata.png
Glomeris sublimbata
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Myriapoda
Class: Diplopoda
Subclass: Chilognatha
Infraclass: Pentazonia
Superorder: Oniscomorpha
Order: Glomerida
Brandt, 1833
Families

Glomeridae
Glomeridellidae
Trachysphaeridae (=Doderiidae)

Contents

Synonyms

Plesiocerata Verhoeff, 1910

Glomerida is an order of pill-millipedes found primarily in the Northern Hemisphere. Also known as northern pill millipedes, [1] they superficially resemble pill-bugs or woodlice, and can enroll into a protective ball. They have twelve body segments, 17 to 19 pairs of legs, and males have enlarged rear legs involved in mating. The order includes about 30 genera and at least 280 species, including Glomeris marginata , the common European pill-millipede. The order contains members in Europe, South-east Asia and the Americas from California to Guatemala. Although historically considered closely related with the similar sphaerotheriidans that also enroll, some DNA evidence suggest they may be more closely related to glomeridesmidans, a poorly known order that does not enroll.

Description

Male Glomeris punica from Tunisia. The enlarged rear legs are the telopods Glomeris punica.png
Male Glomeris punica from Tunisia. The enlarged rear legs are the telopods

Glomeridans are small, oval-shaped millipedes reaching up to 20 mm (0.79 in) long. Like the Sphaerotheriida (so-called Giant Pill-millipedes), they are capable of enrolling into a ball ("volvation"), a trait also shared with the unrelated pillbugs (Oniscidean crustaceans). Adults possess 12 body segments, although the second and third dorsal plates (tergites) may be fused, and the 11th tergite may be small or partially hidden to appear as 11 segments. The last tergite is enlarged and shield like. The head is relatively large and round, possessing long, slender antennae, and horseshoe-shaped Tömösváry organs. Eyes may be present or absent. The collum (first segment behind the head) is small while the second tergite is greatly enlarged. Defensive glands (ozopores) are situated dorsally, in contrast to the lateral ozopores of most other millipedes. Males and females differ in the number of leg pairs: adult males have 19 while adult females have 17. Additionally, in mature males the last leg pair is modified into clasping appendages known as telopods. [2] [3] Millipedes in this order develop by hemianamorphosis. [4]

Distribution

Glomerida is predominantly a northern hemisphere group. It contains members in Europe, North Africa, Central and Southeast Asia, and the Americas. [5] Four species are present in the British Isles. [6] Only in Southeast Asia do any members cross the equator, extending as far south as Indonesia. [7] In the western hemisphere, Glomeridans occur in three disparate areas: an eastern, somewhat Appalachian region from Kentucky to northern Florida and Mississippi; a California region from the San Francisco Bay to the Monterey Bay, and a neotropical region from eastern Mexico (Nuevo León) to central Guatemala. [7] Numerous undescribed fossils are known from the Cenomanian aged Burmese amber, which constitute the oldest known records of the order, though the group probably originated much earlier. [8]

Classification

Trachysphaera pyrenaica Trachysphaera pyrenaica 2 a.png
Trachysphaera pyrenaica

Glomerida contains approximately 30 genera, but the relationship of these to each other is debated. Some authors divide the order into three families, the large family Glomeridae, Glomeridellidae, and Trachysphaeridae, while others classify the order into a more elaborate system of subfamilies and tribes and recognize the families Glomeridellidae, and Glomeridae and Protoglomeridae. [9] In adult males in the Glomerdellidae family, not only the last leg pair (pair 19) but also the penultimate pair (pair 18) are modified into telopods. [10] [11] Estimates of numbers of species range from 280 to 450. [12] [13] The genus Glomeris is the largest, containing at least 100 species and many more subspecies or varieties. [13]

Glomerida is traditionally classified along with Sphaerotheriida in the superorder Oniscomorpha, which contains short-bodied millipedes capable of volvation. Oniscomorphs are united with the poorly known Glomeridesmida in the infraclass Pentazonia, which is characterized by posterior telopods and relatively short bodies, and is the sister group to the Helminthomorpha, or "worm-like" millipedes. This classification is supported by morphological similarities. [14] [15] However, some studies based on DNA sequence comparisons have suggested that Glomerida is more closely related to Glomeridesmida than to Sphaerotheriida, [15] [16] a hypothesis which would imply the enrolling behavior evolved twice or was lost in the ancestors of Glomeridesmidans.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pill millipede</span> Order of millipedes

Pill millipedes are any members of two living orders of millipedes, often grouped together into a single superorder, Oniscomorpha. The name Oniscomorpha refers to the millipedes' resemblance to certain woodlice (Oniscidea), also called pillbugs or "roly-polies". However, millipedes and woodlice are not closely related ; rather, this is a case of convergent evolution.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sphaerotheriida</span> Order of millipedes

Sphaerotheriida is an order of millipedes in the infraclass Pentazonia, sometimes known as giant pill millipedes. They inhabit Southern Africa, Madagascar, South and Southeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand. Like the Northern Hemisphere pill millipedes of the order Glomerida, these millipedes can roll into a ball when disturbed. When they are rolled-up, most sphaerotheriidans reach a maximum size of a cherry or golf ball, but some species from Madagascar can even reach the size of an orange. When rolled-up, predators are unable to unravel giant pill millipedes since the margins of their second and last dorsal plates fit perfectly into one another, creating a sealed ball. A few giant pill millipede species are able to produce sound, the only millipedes known to do this. This order of millipedes is also unique in that some African species are used for medicinal purposes.

Tridontomidae is a small family of millipedes. Its members are endemic to Guatemala. These millipedes range from 22 mm to 28 mm in length and are uniformly grayish in color; their legs and antennae are unusually long and slender. This family includes the remarkable species Aenigmopus alatus, in which adult males feature no gonopods. This millipede is the only species in the infraclass Helminthomorpha without gonopods.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Polyxenida</span> Order of millipedes

Polyxenida is an order of millipedes readily distinguished by a unique body plan consisting of a soft, non-calcified body ornamented with tufts of bristles – traits that have inspired the common names "bristly millipedes" or "pincushion millipedes". There are at least 86 species in four families worldwide, and are the only living members of the subclass Penicillata.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Glomeridesmida</span> Order of millipedes

Glomeridesmida is an order of millipedes in the infraclass Pentazonia containing 2 families and at least 31 species. Glomeridesmida is the only living order of the superorder Limacomorpha. Also known as slug millipedes, glomeridesmidans are small and somewhat flattened, and unlike other orders of Pentazonia, are unable to roll into a ball. Ocelli (eyes) are absent.

<i>Glomeris klugii</i> Species of pill millipede

Glomeris klugii is a species of pill millipede within the genus Glomeris and family Glomeridae. The species is highly variable in colouration, with more than 40 varieties and subspecies identified, each displaying unique colour patterns. The diverse colour patterns of G. klugii can be visually striking, and certain patterns are geographically restricted, leading to the species being associated with numerous taxonomic synonyms.

Glomeridesmidae is a millipede family of the order Glomeridesmida. This family includes two genera: The genus Glomeridesmus includes most species in this family; the genus Glomeridesmoides includes one species.

Caseyidae is a family of millipedes in the order Chordeumatida. Adult millipedes in this family have 30 segments. There are about 7 genera and at least 40 described species in Caseyidae.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Conotylidae</span> Family of millipedes

Conotylidae is a family of millipedes in the order Chordeumatida. Adult millipedes in this family have 30 segments. There are about 19 genera and at least 60 described species in Conotylidae.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Metopidiotrichidae</span> Family of millipedes

Metopidiotrichidae is a family of millipedes in the order Chordeumatida. These millipedes range from 4 mm to 17 mm in length. Adult millipedes in this family have 32 segments, not the 30 segments usually found in this order. Adult males in this family often feature a reduced or vestigial leg pair 10 as part of the gonopod complex, in addition to the two leg pairs typically modified into gonopods in this order. There are about 9 genera and at least 70 described species in Metopidiotrichidae.

Brachychaeteumatidae is a family of millipedes belonging to the order Chordeumatida. Adult millipedes in this family have 30 segments.

Pygmaeosomatidae is a family of millipedes belonging to the order Chordeumatida. Adult millipedes in this family have 30 or 32 segments.

Haaseidae is a family of millipedes belonging to the order Chordeumatida. Adult millipedes in this family range from 4.5 mm to 12 mm in length and have either 28 or 30 segments. For example, Orobainosoma hungaricum orientale, a subspecies of Haasea hungarica, has only 28 segments in adults rather than the 30 usually found in chordeumatidan adults, with only 46 pairs of legs in adult females and only 44 pairs of walking legs in adult males.

Kirkayakidae is a family of millipedes belonging to the order Chordeumatida. This family was formerly known as Altajellidae. Adult millipedes in this family have 28 segments rather than the 30 segments usually found in chordeumatidans.

Biokoviella is a genus of millipedes belonging to family Anthogonidae in order Chordeumatida. Adult millipedes have 30 segments.

Niponiosomatidae is a family of millipedes belonging to the order Chordeumatida. Adult millipedes in this family have 28 or 30 segments.

Trachygonidae is a family of millipedes belonging to the order Chordeumatida. Adult millipedes in this family have 28 or 30 segments.

Lusitaniosomatidae is a family of millipedes belonging to the order Chordeumatida. Adult millipedes in this family have 30 segments.

Heterolatzeliidae is a family of millipedes belonging to the order Chordeumatida. Adult millipedes in this family have 30 segments.

Glomeridellidae is a family of millipedes belonging to the order Glomerida. The adult males in this family have two pairs of telopods rather than the single pair found in other families in this order.

References

  1. ↑ "Northern Pill Millipedes (Order Glomerida)". iNaturalist. Retrieved 2023-03-07.
  2. ↑ "Diagnostic features of Millipede Orders" (PDF). Milli-PEET Identification Tables. The Field Museum, Chicago. Retrieved 25 October 2013.
  3. ↑ "Putative apomorphies of millipede clades" (PDF). Milli-PEET: Millipede Systematics. The Field Museum, Chicago, IL. 26 September 2006.
  4. ↑ Enghoff, Henrik; Dohle, Wolfgang; Blower, J. Gordon (1993). "Anamorphosis in Millipedes (Diplopoda) — The Present State of Knowledge with Some Developmental and Phylogenetic Considerations". Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. 109 (2): 103–234. doi:10.1111/j.1096-3642.1993.tb00305.x.
  5. ↑ "Biogeography of millipede families" (PDF). Field Museum of Natural History . Retrieved December 27, 2016.
  6. ↑ "Millipedes of Britain and Ireland: systematic check list". British Myriapod and Isopod Group. Retrieved December 27, 2016.
  7. 1 2 Shelley, R. M.; Golovatch, S. I. (2011). "Atlas of Myriapod Biogeography. I. Indigenous Ordinal and Supra-Ordinal Distributions in the Diplopoda: Perspectives on Taxon Origins and Ages, and a Hypothesis on the Origin and Early Evolution of the Class". Insecta Mundi. 158: 1–134.
  8. ↑ Wesener, Thomas; Moritz, Leif (2018-12-17). "Checklist of the Myriapoda in Cretaceous Burmese amber and a correction of the Myriapoda identified by Zhang (2017)". Check List. 14 (6): 1131–1140. doi: 10.15560/14.6.1131 . ISSN   1809-127X.
  9. ↑ Wesener, T. (2012). "Nearctomeris, a new genus of Pill Millipedes from North America, with a comparison of genetic distances of American Pill Millipede Genera (Glomerida, Glomeridae)" (PDF). Zootaxa. 3258: 58–68. doi:10.11646/zootaxa.3258.1.5.
  10. ↑ Enghoff, Henrik; Golovatch, Sergei; Short, Megan; Stoev, Pavel; Wesener, Thomas (2015-01-01). "Diplopoda — taxonomic overview". Treatise on Zoology - Anatomy, Taxonomy, Biology. The Myriapoda, Volume 2: 363–453. doi:10.1163/9789004188273_017. ISBN   9789004188273.
  11. ↑ Golovatch, S.I.; Mikhaljova, E.V.; Chang, Hsueh-Wen (2010-05-19). "Pill-millipedes (Glomerida, Diplopoda) in Taiwan". Zootaxa. 2477 (1): 1–20. doi:10.11646/zootaxa.2477.1.1. ISSN   1175-5334 – via ResearchGate.
  12. ↑ Brewer, Michael S.; Sierwald, Petra; Bond, Jason E. (2012). "Millipede Taxonomy after 250 Years: Classification and Taxonomic Practices in a Mega-Diverse yet Understudied Arthropod Group". PLOS ONE. 7 (5): e37240. Bibcode:2012PLoSO...737240B. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0037240 . PMC   3352885 . PMID   22615951.
  13. 1 2 Golovatch, Sergei; Mauriès, Jean-Paul; Akkari, Nesrine; Stoev, Pavel; Geoffroy, Jean-Jacques (2009). "The millipede genus Glomeris Latreille, 1802 (Diplopoda, Glomerida, Glomeridae) in North Africa". ZooKeys (12): 47–86. doi: 10.3897/zookeys.12.179 .
  14. ↑ Sierwald, P.; Shear, W. A.; Shelley, R. M.; Bond, J. E. (2003). "Millipede phylogeny revisited in the light of the enigmatic order Siphoniulida". Journal of Zoological Systematics and Evolutionary Research. 41 (2): 87–99. doi:10.1046/j.1439-0469.2003.00202.x.
  15. 1 2 Sierwald, Petra; Bond, Jason E. (2007). "Current Status of the Myriapod Class Diplopoda (Millipedes): Taxonomic Diversity and Phylogeny". Annual Review of Entomology. 52 (1): 401–420. doi:10.1146/annurev.ento.52.111805.090210. PMID   17163800.
  16. ↑ Regier, Jerome C.; Wilson, Heather M.; Shultz, Jeffrey W. (2005). "Phylogenetic analysis of Myriapoda using three nuclear protein-coding genes". Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 34 (1): 147–158. doi:10.1016/j.ympev.2004.09.005. PMID   15579388.
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