Polyzoniida
Polyzoniida
Classification
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Subphylum: Myriapoda
- Class: Diplopoda
- Order: Polyzoniida
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Polyzoniida: /pɒliˈzoʊniːˌɪdə/
These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.
Images
Summary
Polyzoniida is an order of millipedes characterized by their camphor-like smell, domed dorsal surface, and distinct lack of a dorsal groove. They are primarily found in moist soil and leaf litter and play significant roles in their ecosystems as decomposers.
Physical Characteristics
Millipedes in this order range from 4 mm to 50 mm in length, typically 10 mm to 15 mm. They have a somewhat domed dorsal surface with a flat ventral side, small cone-like heads with few ocelli, and lack a dorsal groove and paranota. The body is frequently yellowish or pink, sometimes with black bands. They can have from 20 to 88 segments, and in males, leg pairs 9 and 10 are modified into gonopods.
Identification Tips
Look for millipedes with a smooth surface, a cone-shaped head, and no dorsal groove or paranota. The distinct camphor-like smell from their ozopores can also help in identification.
Habitat
Moist soil and leaf litter of plant material.
Distribution
This order is distributed worldwide, with some families found in specific regions. For example, Hirudisomatidae is found from Spain to the Himalayas, North America from southwest Canada to central Mexico. Polyzoniidae occurs in the northwest and northeast United States, eastern Canada, and Eurasia. Siphonotidae occurs in Brazil, Chile, South Africa, Southeast Asia, Indonesia, Tasmania, and New Zealand.
Diet
Detritivorous, feeding primarily on decaying plant material.
Life Cycle
Juveniles hatch with four leg pairs; females protect their eggs.
Reproduction
Males have modified legs (gonopods) for reproduction. Specific mating behaviors and egg-laying practices may vary among species.
Ecosystem Role
Help break down organic material and contribute to nutrient cycling in their habitats.
Cultural Significance
Known as camphor millipedes due to their ozopore secretions which have a strong camphor-like smell, these millipedes have ecological interactions with some poison frogs.
Collecting Methods
- Pitfall traps
- Hand collecting in leaf litter
Preservation Methods
- Ethanol preservation
- Drying specimens for storage
Similar Taxa
Misconceptions
Some people confuse them with centipedes; however, they belong to different classes and have distinct body structures and ecologies.
Tags
- millipedes
- Polyzoniida
- detritivores
- camphor millipedes
- Colobognatha
- arthropods