Biodiversity hotspots: rediscovery of the world's leggiest animal.
The millipede species Illacme plenipes comes the closest to having its namesake's mythical 1,000 legs--individuals can bear up to 750 legs. Here we record the rediscovery of this extremely rare species, which has not been reported since its original description some 80 years ago, at a tiny locality of 0.8 km2 in San Benito County, California. Because of the rarity and narrow geographical range of this delicate species, its fragile habitat must be protected at all costs.
Marek
Paul E
PE
Department of Biology, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina 27858, USA. pm0623@ecu.edu
Bond
Jason E
JE
D000818:Animals; D001181:Arthropods / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D044822:Biodiversity; D002140:California; D005121:Extremities / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000254:growth & development; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D014741:Video Recording