Glomeris | |
---|---|
Glomeris marginata | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Subphylum: | Myriapoda |
Class: | Diplopoda |
Order: | Glomerida |
Family: | Glomeridae |
Genus: | Glomeris Latreille, 1802 |
Type species | |
Glomeris pustulata (Fabricius, 1781) |
Glomeris is a genus of pill millipedes that belongs to the family Glomeridae and order Glomerida. [1] The genus Glomeris is the largest within the family Glomeridae, comprising about 100 species along with a few hundred subspecies, varieties, forms, or genetic aberrations. [2] The genus is primarily distributed in Europe, but can also be found in the Canary Islands, North Africa, and North-western Anatolia. [2]
Species within the genus Glomeris exhibit distinct anatomical traits, notably the subquadrate anatomy of the telopod femur, which does not display prominent hypertrophy relative to the adjacent podomeres. [2] Additionally, the telopod femur is equipped with a broad distocaudal lobe rather than a distinct process. [2]
Glomeris species are predominantly found in Europe, although they also occur marginally in other regions. [2] In North Africa, eleven Glomeris species are known to be present, however they are limited to areas located north of the Sahara Desert, specifically along a relatively narrow strip of the Mediterranean coast. [2]
Where the geographic range of both the genus Glomeris and Hyleoglomeris overlap, such as in the Balkans and Northwestern Anatolia, it has been observed that all Glomeris species exhibit epigeal behaviour, occupying terrestrial environments above ground level. In contrast, all Hyleoglomeris species display a subterranean lifestyle, dwelling below the surface of the soil. [3]
Below is a list of some of the species within the genus Glomeris:
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.
Glomerida is an order of pill-millipedes found primarily in the Northern Hemisphere. Also known as northern pill millipedes, 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.
Eutrichodesmus is a genus of millipedes in the family Haplodesmidae, containing at least 32 species in China, Taiwan, and Southeast Asia. One of these species exhibits sexual dimorphism in segments number: The adult females have 20 segments, but the adult males have only 19.
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.
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. These features have inspired the common names bristly millipedes or pincushion millipedes. This order includes about 148 species in four families worldwide, which represent the only living members of the subclass Penicillata.
Glomeridesmida is an order of millipedes in the infraclass Pentazonia containing two families and at least 35 described species. Glomeridesmida is the only living order of the superorder Limacomorpha. Glomeridesmidans are also known as slug millipedes.
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.
Glomeris connexa is a species of pill millipede within the genus Glomeris and family Glomeridae.
Trachysphaera is a genus of dwarf pill millipedes in the order Glomerida. Just over 30 species are known, making it the third most species-rich genus of Glomerida. Trachysphaera species are patchily distributed throughout Europe and western Asia, extending from Spain to Caucasia. Members of this genus are tiny, with modified appearances resembling that of calcareous stones.
Trachysphaera lobata, also known as the sand pill millipede, is a species of pill millipede within the genus Trachysphaera and family Glomeridae.
Glomeris sublimbata, also known as the marbled pill millipede, is a species of pill millipede belonging to the genus Glomeris and the family Glomeridae.
Glomeris aurita, also known as the golden-eared pill millipede, is a species of pill millipede belonging to the genus Glomeris and the family Glomeridae.
Glomeris pustulata is a species of pill millipede belonging to the genus Glomeris and the family Glomeridae.
Glomeris hexasticha, also known as the eastern six-striped pill millipede or the diagonal-striped pill millipede, is a species of pill millipede within the family Glomeridae and order Glomerida. The pill millipede is widely distributed within many European countries, with the species consisting of over twenty different subspecies.
Glomeris annulata, also known as the orange banded pill millipede, is a species of pill millipede within the genus Glomeris and family Glomeridae.
Glomeris ornata, is a species of pill millipede within the genus Glomeris and family Glomeridae.
Glomeris ligurica is a species of pill millipede within the genus Glomeris and family Glomeridae.
Glomeris transalpina, is a species of pill millipede within the genus Glomeris and family Glomeridae.
Glomeris primordialis, is a species of pill millipede within the genus Glomeris and family Glomeridae. The species is locally endemic to the Biellese Alps of Northern Italy.
Glomeris punica, is a species of pill millipede belonging to the genus Glomeris and the family Glomeridae.