Glomeris klugii

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Glomeris klugii
Glomeris conspersa-00142ep (15618596335).jpg
Glomeris klugii morph conspersa
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Myriapoda
Class: Diplopoda
Order: Glomerida
Family: Glomeridae
Genus: Glomeris
Species:
G. klugii
Binomial name
Glomeris klugii
Brandt, 1833
Synonyms
  • Glomeris conspersa C.L. Koch, 1847
  • Glomeris undulata C.L. Koch, 1844

Glomeris klugii is a species of pill millipede within the genus Glomeris and family Glomeridae. [1] The species is highly variable in colouration, with more than 40 varieties and subspecies identified, each displaying unique colour patterns. [2] 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. [2]

Contents

Description

Glomeris klugii exhibits a wide range of colour variation. Many colour morphs and subspecies exist, each displaying unique colour patterns. [2] The base colour of the species typically ranges from light brown to red, [2] with many possessing vividly coloured chitin and a distinct marbled pattern. [3] However, the presence of black freckles on their bodies varies, with some individuals having freckles that fuse into larger spots, while others are fully black in colour. [2] G. klugii can reach a length of about 13.5 mm (0.53 inches) and a width of up to 6.25 mm (0.24 inches). [3] Telopods exhibit syncoxite with slight variations in the central lobe shape and delicately bifurcated coxal horns. [3] G. klugii also lacks a main stria on the thoracic shield. [2]

Distribution

Glomeris klugii can be found throughout Europe and North Africa. Within Europe it has been recorded to live within the countries of Austria, Croatia, Germany and Italy. [2] Within North Africa the species can be found in the countries of Algeria and Tunisia. [3]

Habitat

Glomeris klugii inhabits sloped forest habitats where it has a preference for calcareous soils. [2] Individuals can be found on the forest floor among leaf litter and under stones. [2] Forest habitats are known to consist of trees within the genera Acer, Castanea , Fraxinus. [2]

Polymorphism

A darker colour variant. Glomeris klugii gesprenkelter Saftkugler 2.jpg
A darker colour variant.

Glomeris klugii possesses a high rate of polymorphism within the species due to exhibiting remarkable phenotypic plasticity, resulting in a wide range of colour variations. More than 40 subspecies and morphs have been identified, each displaying unique colour patterns. Some colour morphs currently known include the 'undulata' morph and the 'conspersa' morph. Although similar colour morphs of G. klugii can be found throughout their natural range, those morphs do not imply populations are closely related or from the same phylogenetically related group. G. klugii of the morph 'conspersa' and 'undulata' for instance are more closely related to each other within the same locality, than with those of the same morph in a different locality. [2]

Subspecies

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">Glomerida</span> Order of millipedes

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.

<i>Glomeris</i> Genus of millipedes

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.

<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.

<i>Glomeris connexa</i> Species of millipede

Glomeris connexa is a species of pill millipede within the genus Glomeris and family Glomeridae.

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

Glomeris sublimbata, also known as the marbled pill millipede, is a species of pill millipede belonging to the genus Glomeris and the family Glomeridae.

<i>Glomeris aurita</i> Species of millipede

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.

<i>Glomeris oblongoguttata</i> Species of millipede

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.

<i>Glomeris pustulata</i> Glomeris pustulata is a species of pill millipede belonging to the genus Glomeris.

Glomeris pustulata is a species of pill millipede belonging to the genus Glomeris and the family Glomeridae.

<i>Glomeris hexasticha</i> Species of pill millipede within the genus Glomeris

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.

<i>Glomeris annulata</i> Species of millipede

Glomeris annulata, also known as the orange banded pill millipede, is a species of pill millipede within the genus Glomeris and family Glomeridae.

<i>Glomeris tetrasticha</i> Species of millipede.

Glomeris tetrasticha, is a species of pill millipede within the genus Glomeris and family Glomeridae.

<i>Glomeris ornata</i> Species of millipede

Glomeris ornata, is a species of pill millipede within the genus Glomeris and family Glomeridae.

<i>Glomeris intermedia</i> Species of millipede

Glomeris intermedia, also known as the western six-striped pill millipede, is a species of pill millipede within the genus Glomeris and family Glomeridae.

<i>Glomeris guttata</i> A species of millipede

Glomeris guttata is a species of pill millipede within the genus Glomeris and family Glomeridae.

<i>Glomeris pulchra</i> Species of millipede.

Glomeris pulchra is a species of pill millipede within the genus Glomeris and the family Glomeridae. The species is native to South-eastern Europe, where it can be found in the countries of: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Italy, Montenegro and North Macedonia.

<i>Glomeris ligurica</i> Species of millipede.

Glomeris ligurica is a species of pill millipede within the genus Glomeris and family Glomeridae.

<i>Glomeris transalpina</i> Species of millipede.

Glomeris transalpina, is a species of pill millipede within the genus Glomeris and family Glomeridae.

<i>Glomeris primordialis</i> Species of millipede

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.

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

Glomeris punica, is a species of pill millipede belonging to the genus Glomeris and the family Glomeridae.

References

  1. ↑ "Glomeris klugii Brandt, 1833". Millibase. 2023-05-28. Retrieved 2023-05-28.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Wesener, Thomas & Conrad, Cathrin. (2016). Local Hotspots of Endemism or Artifacts of Incorrect Taxonomy? The Status of Microendemic Pill Millipede Species of the Genus Glomeris in Northern Italy (Diplopoda, Glomerida). PLoS ONE. 11. 10.1371/journal.pone.0162284.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Sergei I. Golovatch; Jean-Paul Mauriès; Nesrine Akkari; Pavel Stoev; Jean-Jacques Geoffroy (2009). "The millipede genus Glomeris Latreille, 1802 (Diplopoda, Glomerida, Glomeridae) in North Africa". ZooKeys (12): 47–86. doi: 10.3897/zookeys.12.179 .


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