| Glomeris intermedia | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Glomeris intermedia alongside Glomeris marginata | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Myriapoda |
| Class: | Diplopoda |
| Order: | Glomerida |
| Family: | Glomeridae |
| Genus: | Glomeris |
| Species: | G. intermedia |
| Binomial name | |
| Glomeris intermedia Latzel, 1884 | |
| Synonyms | |
List
| |
Glomeris intermedia, also known as the western six-striped pill millipede, is a species of pill millipede within the genus Glomeris and family Glomeridae. [1]
Glomeris intermedia exhibits a range of colours, with individuals displaying a base colour of black, brown, grey or yellow on their body. Additionally, the tergites, which are the hardened dorsal plates covering the segments of the millipede's body, bear several spots that vary in coloration from beige to red in colour. Among the spots present, the middle spot is generally the largest, although it can be smaller or even absent in some individuals. The lateral-most spot extends further forward compared to the middle spot and both spots are sharply demarcated at their anterior boundaries. Notably, the posterior edges of the segments are outlined by a narrow, lightly coloured line, creating a distinct visual pattern. Within the northern distribution range of G. intermedia, the medial row of spots are usually absent. [2]
The final segment of Glomeris intermedia, known as the preanal tergite, exhibits two large bright spots that do not reach the edge of the segment. In males, the pre-anal tergite is slightly lobed, potentially serving as a distinguishing feature between males and females. Furthermore, the second segment, known as the breastplate, displays two to three major furrows, occasionally only one, along with the possibility of having 0 to 2 anterior furrows and 1 to 5 minor furrows. [2]
Glomeris intermedia is native to Western Europe, where it can be found within the countries of: Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Spain, Switzerland and the Netherlands. [3] The species occurs in elevated forest habitats distributed on hills and mountains. [2] The species is a detritivore, feeding on rotten wood and dead leaves. [2] G. intermedia has a preference for acidic soils. [2]
The following subspecies are recognised: [1]
Glomeris marginata is a common European species of pill millipede. It is a short millipede, rounded in cross-section, which is capable of rolling itself up into a ball ("volvation") when disturbed. This behaviour is also found in the pill woodlouse Armadillidium, with which G. marginata is often confused.
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.
Glomeris is a genus of pill millipedes that belongs to the family Glomeridae and order Glomerida. 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. The genus is primarily distributed in Europe, but can also be found in the Canary Islands, North Africa, and North-western Anatolia.
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.
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.
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. It is an example of island gigantism, 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 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 oblongoguttata, also known as the painted lady pill millipede, is a species of pill millipede belonging to the genus Glomeris and the family Glomeridae.
Armadillidium maculatum, also known as the zebra isopod or zebra pillbug is a Armadillidium species of woodlouse, named for it’s black and white patterns. It is native to southern France.
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 balcanica, also known as the Balkan pill millipede, is a species of pill millipede within the family Glomeridae and order Glomerida.
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 guttata, is a species of pill millipede within the genus Glomeris and family Glomeridae.