New Millipede species

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.

 

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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