About Millipede species:
- The newly found species is a thread Millipede.
- It is about the length of a paperclip but skinny as pencil lead.
- Its scientific name is Illacme socal.
- It is translucent and sinuous like a jellyfish tentacle.
- The creature burrows four inches below ground, secretes unusual chemicals and is blind.
- It relays on hornlike antennas protruding from its head to find its way.
Key facts about Millipede:
- These are member of the arthropod class Diplopoda.
- They are cylindrical or slightly flattened invertebrates.
- The word “millipede” translates to “a thousand feet”—but while millipedes have many feet, none of them quite have a thousand.
- Their bodies are split into a number of segments, and each segment has two sets of legs that attach to the body’s underside.
- Diet: It is a detritivore, which means that it eats dead organic matter in the earth like damp wood pieces, decayed leaves, and other materials that naturally exists in their moist habitat underground.
Q) What is detritivore?
A detritivore is an organism that feeds on dead and decaying organic matter, such as dead plants, animals, and other organic debris. These organisms play a crucial role in the ecosystem by breaking down and decomposing dead material, which helps to recycle nutrients back into the environment.
Source: Blind and gloosy with 486 legs: New millipede species discovered
Last updated on June, 2025
→ UPSC Notification 2025 was released on 22nd January 2025.
→ UPSC Prelims Result 2025 is out now for the CSE held on 25 May 2025.
→ UPSC Prelims Question Paper 2025 and Unofficial Prelims Answer Key 2025 are available now.
→ UPSC Calendar 2026 is released on 15th May, 2025.
→ The UPSC Vacancy 2025 were released 1129, out of which 979 were for UPSC CSE and remaining 150 are for UPSC IFoS.
→ UPSC Mains 2025 will be conducted on 22nd August 2025.
→ UPSC Prelims 2026 will be conducted on 24th May, 2026 & UPSC Mains 2026 will be conducted on 21st August 2026.
→ The UPSC Selection Process is of 3 stages-Prelims, Mains and Interview.
→ UPSC Result 2024 is released with latest UPSC Marksheet 2024. Check Now!
→ UPSC Toppers List 2024 is released now. Shakti Dubey is UPSC AIR 1 2024 Topper.
→ Also check Best IAS Coaching in Delhi