Northern Pill Millipedes

Glomerida

Classification

Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Myriapoda
Class: Diplopoda
Order: Glomerida

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Glomerida: /ɡloʊˈmɛrɪdə/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Summary

Glomerida, or northern pill millipedes, are a distinct order of small, oval-shaped millipedes capable of rolling into a ball for protection. They are found primarily in the Northern Hemisphere and play an essential role as decomposers in their ecosystems.

Physical Characteristics

Small, oval-shaped millipedes reaching up to 20 mm (0.79 in) long; 12 body segments; 17 to 19 pairs of legs depending on sex; males have enlarged, clasping appendages (telopods) as the last leg pair.

Identification Tips

Superficially resembles pill-bugs or woodlice; capable of enrolling into a protective ball; males differ from females in leg pairs (males have 19, females have 17).

Habitat

Primarily found in wooded areas and leaf litter in various regions, including Europe, North Africa, Central and Southeast Asia, and the Americas.

Distribution

Members are found in Europe, North Africa, Central and Southeast Asia, and the Americas, extending from Kentucky to northern Florida and Mississippi, California, and extending south to Guatemala; only some species cross the equator in Southeast Asia.

Diet

Detritivores, feeding on decaying organic matter, leaves, and decaying plant material.

Life Cycle

Develop by hemianamorphosis.

Reproduction

Reproduction is sexual; males are distinguishable by having modified leg pairs for clasping during mating.

Ecosystem Role

Important decomposers in their ecosystems, facilitating the breakdown of organic matter.

Collecting Methods

Hand collection in leaf litter
Trapping using pitfall traps

Preservation Methods

Drying specimens in a desiccator
Preservation in ethanol

Evolution

Traditionally classified within the superorder Oniscomorpha with Sphaerotheriida; some DNA evidence suggests closer relation to Glomeridesmida.

Similar Taxa

Sphaerotheriida
Glomeridesmida

Misconceptions

Often mistaken for pill-bugs or other non-related arthropods; misconception that all related taxa are closely linked despite genetic evidence suggesting otherwise.