Glomeris aurita
Yellow morph
Orange morph
Scientific classification Edit this 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]

Description

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]

Distribution and ecology

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]

References

  1. 1 2 Wesener, Thomas (2023-05-25). "Rediscovery of the Golden-Eared Pill-Millipede". Leibniz Association Leibniz Institute for the Analysis of Biodiversity Change Research Museum. Retrieved 2023-05-25.
  2. ↑ "Glomeris aurita C. L. Koch, 1847". Millibase. 2023-05-25. Retrieved 2023-05-25.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Wesener, Thomas. (2018). An integrative and citizen science based approach to the rediscovery and redescription of the only known high-altitude endemic Pill Millipede, Glomeris aurita Koch (Diplopoda, Glomerida). PeerJ. 6. e5569. 10.7717/peerj.5569.
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