Apheloriini

Hoffman, 1980

cherry millipedes

Genus Guides

5

Apheloriini is a tribe of large, colorful flat-backed millipedes to the temperate forests of eastern North America. All produce hydrogen cyanide as a chemical defense, which generates a characteristic cherry or almond odor from benzaldehyde byproducts. Members display bright aposematic coloration warning of their . The tribe includes seven , with greatest diversity concentrated in the southern Appalachian Mountains. Species in this tribe participate in Müllerian mimicry rings, resulting in extreme intraspecific variation in color patterns.

Sigmoria latior by (c) Kathy Richardson, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Kathy Richardson. Used under a CC-BY license.Apheloria montana by (c) Alan Rockefeller, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Alan Rockefeller. Used under a CC-BY license.Apheloria virginiensis virginiensis by (c) Laura Mae, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Laura Mae. Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Apheloriini: /ˌæfɪˈlɔːriˌaɪnaɪ/

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

Identification

males distinguished from close relatives in tribe Rhysodesmini by : telopodite curved and twisted (linear in Rhysodesmini), prefemoral process short or absent (long and needle-like in Rhysodesmini), and sternum between gonopod absent (present as remnant in Rhysodesmini).

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Appearance

Large, broad-bodied millipedes ranging from 4 cm to 6 cm in length. Color patterns highly variable, including yellow, orange, red, pink, or violet markings. in size, with females generally larger than males.

Habitat

Moist deciduous hardwood forest floor, typically under leaf litter. Frequently associated with Rhododendron in the southern Blue Ridge Mountains. Some occupy cedar glades.

Distribution

Eastern North America, primarily United States east of Great Plains and north of Gulf Coast states. Northern limit at southern Quebec, Canada; eastern limit at western New England and Atlantic coast southward. Center of diversity in Appalachian Highlands, especially southern Appalachian Mountains.

Seasonality

Mainly ; some observed in large numbers after dark.

Diet

Moist dead leaves from maple, tulip poplar, oak, and dogwood trees.

Behavior

Participates in Müllerian mimicry rings with other Apheloriini in the Appalachian Mountains, including Apheloria and Brachoria. Secretes hydrogen cyanide through ozopores when disturbed.

Ecological Role

Decomposer in forest , processing dead leaf litter.

Human Relevance

'cherry millipedes' derives from benzaldehyde odor produced alongside cyanide defense. Bright coloration and chemical defense make them notable among North American millipedes. Subject of phylogenetic and mimicry research.

Similar Taxa

  • RhysodesminiSame (Rhysodesminae); distinguished by linear telopodites, long needle-like prefemoral processes, and remnant sternum between gonopod in males.

More Details

Chemical defense

All produce hydrogen cyanide emitted through ozopores; benzaldehyde byproduct creates characteristic cherry/almond odor.

Mimicry

Extreme intraspecific color pattern variation results from participation in Müllerian mimicry rings among sympatric .

Phylogeny

Monophyletic tribe; sister group to Rhysodesmini. Internal relationships: Deltotaria most basal; Sigmoria sister to clade containing Brachoria+Daphnedesmus and Apheloria+Rudiloria+Appalachioria.

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Sources and further reading