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Aphistogoniulus sp.? Palmarium, Madagascar Found by day, on a tree trunk. <br /> <br /> Madagascar millipedes are poorly studied. It took almost a full century for zoologist to return after an initial 1902 study. Almost every modern survey leads to the discovery of many new species, most of which are micro endemic, restricted to tiny patches of forest.<br /> <br /> There&#039;s a lot of emphasis on Sphaerotheriida, the Madagascan version of pill millipedes, known for their capability to roll up into a protective ball:<br /> <figure class="photo"><a href="https://www.jungledragon.com/image/35954/green_pill_millipede_zoosphaerium_sp._marojejy_madagascar.html" title="Green Pill millipede (Zoosphaerium sp.), Marojejy, Madagascar"><img src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/media.jungledragon.com/images/2/35954_thumb.jpg?AWSAccessKeyId=05GMT0V3GWVNE7GGM1R2&Expires=1759968010&Signature=%2FNVb9klQ2jsA2HSdpklQKpesGgQ%3D" width="200" height="134" alt="Green Pill millipede (Zoosphaerium sp.), Marojejy, Madagascar Close-up of a pill millipede rolled up into a ball, which they do when threatened. Source of the threat are ants, which you can see on the inner edge of the millipede.<br /> <br /> I&#039;ve based identification on color/appearance, size, and location. The match is likely, but not certain. Literature speaks of Zoosphaerium neptunus as almost always occuring in swarms. I did not notice a swarm, just this one, but I didn&#039;t exactly look for more either, and Marojejy is almost impossible to navigate off-path.<br /> <br /> If identification is correct, this is the largest pill millipede species in the world. I can confirm that it was quite large, likely making it a female. Males are only half this size. Africa,Geotagged,Madagascar,Madagascar North,Marojejy,Spring,World,Zoosphaerium neptunus" /></a></figure> Africa,Geotagged,Madagascar,Madagascar 2019,Millipede,Palmarium reserve,Winter,World Click/tap to enlarge Promoted

Aphistogoniulus sp.? Palmarium, Madagascar

Found by day, on a tree trunk.

Madagascar millipedes are poorly studied. It took almost a full century for zoologist to return after an initial 1902 study. Almost every modern survey leads to the discovery of many new species, most of which are micro endemic, restricted to tiny patches of forest.

There's a lot of emphasis on Sphaerotheriida, the Madagascan version of pill millipedes, known for their capability to roll up into a protective ball:

Green Pill millipede (Zoosphaerium sp.), Marojejy, Madagascar Close-up of a pill millipede rolled up into a ball, which they do when threatened. Source of the threat are ants, which you can see on the inner edge of the millipede.<br /> <br /> I've based identification on color/appearance, size, and location. The match is likely, but not certain. Literature speaks of Zoosphaerium neptunus as almost always occuring in swarms. I did not notice a swarm, just this one, but I didn't exactly look for more either, and Marojejy is almost impossible to navigate off-path.<br /> <br /> If identification is correct, this is the largest pill millipede species in the world. I can confirm that it was quite large, likely making it a female. Males are only half this size. Africa,Geotagged,Madagascar,Madagascar North,Marojejy,Spring,World,Zoosphaerium neptunus

    comments (6)

  1. View Christine Young's profile
    Christine Young
    Lion
    View Lion class
    Nice shot! I guess Madagascar needs more diplopodologists. I love millipedes - did you know that they are only born with 3 legs and get more legs and body segments as they mature and molt? The males have a special pair of "sex legs" called gonopods, and they sometimes give the females back rubs before mating to get them to relax and be receptive to advances. Posted 5 years ago
    1. View Ferdy Christant's profile
      Ferdy Christant
      Lion
      View Lion class
      I knew none of these things and each one of these facts are crazy. Please don't tell Henriette about it. Posted 5 years ago
      1. View Christine Young's profile
        Christine Young
        Lion
        View Lion class
        There's even a species (African, I think) where the male plays "music" for the female. He basically uses his body like a guitar to stridulate a song. BUT, all these tactics performed by male millipedes are kinda necessary because the females may perceive a male's desire to mate as an attack. So, he has to convince her that he's friendly and simply wants to mate. Posted 5 years ago
        1. View Ferdy Christant's profile
          Ferdy Christant
          Lion
          View Lion class
          Why not use a white flag then? Posted 5 years ago
          1. View Christine Young's profile
            Christine Young
            Lion
            View Lion class
            It's not as fun. Posted 5 years ago
            1. View Ferdy Christant's profile
              Ferdy Christant
              Lion
              View Lion class
              The only correct answer. Posted 5 years ago

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By Ferdy Christant

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Uploaded Jan 7, 2020. Captured Jul 22, 2019 11:44 in Vohibinany, Madagascar.
country flag of Madagascar Explore Madagascar 3,111 753 0
  • NIKON D850
  • f/10.0
  • 1/60s
  • ISO64
  • 105mm
View light conditions of this photo
Captured in the winter. More winter photos.