| Glomeris aurita | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Yellow morph | |
 | |
| Orange morph | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Myriapoda |
| Class: | Diplopoda |
| Order: | Glomerida |
| Family: | Glomeridae |
| Genus: | Glomeris |
| Species: | G. aurita |
| Binomial name | |
| Glomeris aurita C. L. Koch, 1847 | |
Glomeris aurita, also known as the golden-eared pill millipede, [1] is a species of pill millipede belonging to the genus Glomeris and the family Glomeridae. [2]
Glomeris aurita exhibits polymorphism and individuals can be found together in two different colour morphs, either expressing a yellow or orange colouration on their thoracic shield. [3] The rest of G. aurita's body, regardless of the morph, is black in colour. [3] Glomeris aurita also possesses a prominent stria on its main thoracic shield, which is a feature not shared by other pill millipedes within its natural range. [3]
Glomeris aurita is a microendemic species, native only to the Bergamasque Alps of Northern Italy. G. aurita is a high-altitude species, found inhabiting alpine meadows at altitudes ranging from 1400 to 2400 meters above sea level. [3] The alpine meadow habitat is notable as it is an unusual habitat for pill millipedes, which usually inhabit forest habitats. [1]
It is believed that the active period of Glomeris aurita on the surface, extends from June to the middle of September, encompassing only 3.5 out of 12 months of the year. [3] It is also believed the species may inhabit the cool sheltered environments of mountain caves. [3] G. aurita had previously been listed as a species encountered within caves east of Lago di Como by Manfredi (1932). [3] Nevertheless, specimens of G. aurita from alpine meadow habitat in the Bergamasque Alps do not exhibit any indications of adaptations associated with cave environments. [3]
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.
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.
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.
Zoosphaerium neptunus, also known as the giant emerald pill millipede, is a species of millipede within the family Arthrosphaeridae. Its size is an example of island gigantism, it being the largest known pill-millipede in the world, with some individuals reaching a maximum length of 90 mm long. The species is endemic to Madagascar, where it is known to swarm at certain times of the year. Z. neptunus is the only known species within the order Sphaerotheriida that is known to exhibit this mass swarming behaviour.
Zoosphaerium darthvaderi, also known as the Darth Vader giant pill millipede, is a species of giant pill millipede endemic to the island state of Madagascar. It is named after the Star Wars character Darth Vader. The millipede is restricted to the Ambohitantely Reserve and is considered an extremely endangered species.
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 oblongoguttata, also known as the painted lady pill millipede, 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 tetrasticha, 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 intermedia, also known as the western six-striped pill millipede, is a species of pill millipede within the genus Glomeris and family Glomeridae.
Glomeris guttata 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.
Zoosphaerium album, also known as the giant opal pill millipede, is a species of pill millipede within the family Arthrosphaeridae and order Sphaerotheriida. It is an endemic species, found only within the Vohibasia forest of Western Madagascar. The species name album, refers to the white colouration of the pill millipedes exoskeleton.
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.