Abacion tesselatum
Rafinesque, 1820
crested millipede
Abacion tesselatum is a of crested millipede in the Abacionidae, first described by Rafinesque in 1820. It is a member of the order Callipodida, one of the major lineages of millipedes. The species is found in North America, with confirmed records from Kentucky. As a crested millipede, it belongs to a group characterized by distinctive projections on their body segments.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Abacion tesselatum: //əˈbeɪsiən ˌtɛsəˈleɪtəm//
These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.
Identification
Abacion tesselatum can be distinguished from other millipedes by its placement in the Abacionidae, characterized by crested body segments with prominent projections. Within the Abacion, identification to level likely requires examination of (male reproductive appendages), which are species-specific in millipedes. The tessellated pattern suggested by the species name may provide additional diagnostic features, though this requires verification.
Appearance
As a member of the Callipodida, Abacion tesselatum possesses the elongated, cylindrical body form typical of this order. The epithet 'tesselatum' (meaning checkered or mosaic-patterned) suggests a patterned or tessellated surface. Crested millipedes in the Abacionidae are characterized by prominent dorsal crests or keels on their body segments, though specific details for this species are not well documented.
Distribution
North America, with confirmed presence in Kentucky, United States. The full extent of its range within North America is not well documented.
Similar Taxa
- Tetracion spp.Also in Abacionidae and shares crested millipede , but Tetracion are troglobionts (cave-dwelling) with reduced pigmentation and non-functional , found in Tennessee and Alabama, whereas Abacion tesselatum appears to be a surface-dwelling species with wider North American distribution
- Other CallipodidaShare the elongated body form and many-segmented trunk characteristic of the order, but differ in -level characters such as the presence and structure of crests
More Details
Taxonomic history
The was described by Constantine Samuel Rafinesque in 1820, an early period in North American . The Abacion and Abacionidae represent a distinctive lineage of crested millipedes within the order Callipodida.
Data limitations
Despite being described over 200 years ago, detailed biological information about Abacion tesselatum remains sparse. This reflects a broader pattern in where many are known from few specimens and limited ecological data.