Oxidus gracilis

(C. L. Koch, 1847)

Greenhouse Millipede, Hothouse Millipede, Short-flange Millipede, Garden Millipede

Oxidus gracilis is a widely introduced in the Paradoxosomatidae, native to Asia but established globally including North America, South America, Europe, and Pacific islands. It is commonly known as the greenhouse millipede due to its frequent occurrence in artificial environments. The species exhibits innate congregating toward food resources and demonstrates use with no strong association to specific soil moisture, leaf litter, or rock cover conditions. It has been studied as a potential bioindicator for environmental pollution due to characteristic internal element composition.

Oxidus gracilis by (c)
Zoltán Korsós, some rights reserved (CC BY). Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Oxidus gracilis: /ˈɒksɪdəs ˈɡræsɪlɪs/

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Identification

Flattened polydesmid with short paranota (flanges); distinguished from native millipedes in introduced ranges by association with human-modified environments; chemical secretions contain characteristic compounds that vary by ; concentration remarkably high compared to other ; lanthanoid normalization patterns can indicate habitat pollution status

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Habitat

Tropical and temperate environments; areas around streams; soil and plant environments; greenhouses and artificial environments; with respect to soil moisture, leaf litter cover, and rock cover; thrives in human-modified environments

Distribution

Native to Asia (Japan, including Okinawa); widely introduced globally including continental Chile, Mo'orea (French Polynesia), Azores (Corvo, Faial, Flores, Graciosa, Pico), and North America; distribution mapped using specimen records and GBIF observations

Diet

; observed consuming fruits of Tahitian chestnut tree (Inocarpus fagifer) in experimental conditions; association with leaf litter and soil organic matter

Behavior

Innate congregating toward food resources; tendency to aggregate on fruits in experimental trials; rapid and continuous movement when foraging; hypothesized use of chemical cues for congregation; congregating behavior may serve mating or defense functions

Ecological Role

contributing to decomposition; potential bioindicator for environmental pollution studies due to characteristic internal element composition and metal accumulation patterns that reflect conditions; in many regions

Human Relevance

Sometimes a pest in greenhouses; widely distributed through human activity; studied for elemental bioaccumulation and environmental monitoring

More Details

Elemental Composition

Body tissues contain 55 analyzed elements with calcium carbonate in yielding highest concentration (94 μg/mg). Major elements include Mg, K, Na, Zn, Fe, Al, Cu, Sr, Ba, Mn, Ti. concentration remarkably high compared to other . Zinc maintained at 72-394 ng/mg as essential element.

Chemical Secretions

Secretory compounds identified from the vary in different ; specific compounds not detailed in available sources but subject of applied entomology study.

Invasive Status

Described as having nature; potentially benefits invasive success; established on multiple continents and islands through human-mediated .