Welcome to an intriguing exploration of millipedes, guided by Associate Curator Petra Sierwald from the Insect Division. Millipedes are part of the Myriapod class, known for their numerous legs. While centipedes, another member of this class, might be more familiar to you, they have fewer legs compared to millipedes. Typically, millipedes possess two pairs of legs per body segment, whereas centipedes have just one pair per segment.
The common belief that centipedes have a hundred legs and millipedes a thousand is more myth than reality. Centipedes, true to their name, have fewer legs and lead a different lifestyle. They move sideways like snakes and are predators, with their first pair of legs adapted into venomous glands for defense. In contrast, millipedes are gentle herbivores that feed on decomposing plant material, such as rotting leaves. They use their numerous legs to burrow into the soil, much like earthworms, facilitating air and water movement and playing a vital role in waste recycling.
Millipedes are nature’s recyclers, akin to cows in their ecological function. While most of their legs are used for movement, in males, the front legs around the seventh segment are specialized for sperm transfer. These complex reproductive structures are unique to each millipede species, allowing for species identification. Some species, like the giant Pill millipedes, have additional adaptations for reproduction, but our understanding of female reproductive organs remains limited. One of Petra’s significant projects is developing a morphological atlas for all 16 orders of millipedes.
Currently, there are about 13,000 recorded millipede species, surpassing the number of bird and mammal species combined. Despite their ecological importance in nutrient cycling and forest health, millipedes are understudied. Petra is passionate about inspiring future generations to delve into millipede research.
A major challenge in millipede research is the lack of a comprehensive morphological atlas, which would aid in comparing new species with existing records. There is an urgent need to document millipede species, as they face threats from habitat loss. Millipedes lay their eggs in soil, and deforestation can lead to the loss of these eggs. Without millipedes, leaf litter accumulates, disrupting forest ecosystems.
Millipedes have been around for approximately 420 million years, as evidenced by the oldest fossil of a land-dwelling millipede. They were among the first animals to adapt to terrestrial life, feeding on the earliest plant matter. Some millipedes, like the polydesmid millipedes, even produce light. Researchers have used UV light to make certain parts of these millipedes fluoresce, facilitating digital imaging without the need for gold coating.
Introducing “Big Mama,” a Narceus americanus millipede native to North America. This female specimen is quite large, with antennae that help her explore her environment. Her legs move in coordinated waves, and she remains calm unless disturbed, in which case she might release defensive secretions. Most millipedes have these secretions, and some can even produce cyanide.
Big Mama’s claws assist her in climbing tree bark, but they are harmless to human skin. Her eye pads contain clusters of individual eyes, though her vision is not very sharp. This species is commonly found in the area, showcasing the diversity and adaptability of millipedes.
Examine a millipede specimen or high-quality images to identify key anatomical features. Focus on the number of legs per segment, reproductive structures, and defensive adaptations. Document your observations and compare them with other myriapods like centipedes.
Participate in a role-playing activity where you assume the role of a millipede in an ecosystem. Explore how your actions, such as decomposing plant material, impact the environment. Discuss with peers how millipedes contribute to nutrient cycling and forest health.
Conduct a mini-research project on millipede diversity. Choose a specific region or habitat and investigate the variety of millipede species present. Present your findings, highlighting the ecological roles and conservation status of these species.
Engage in a debate on the conservation of millipedes. Discuss the threats they face, such as habitat loss, and propose strategies for their protection. Consider the importance of millipedes in maintaining ecosystem balance and biodiversity.
Participate in a workshop analyzing millipede fossils. Learn about the evolutionary history of millipedes and their adaptation to terrestrial life. Use digital imaging techniques to study fossilized specimens and discuss their significance in understanding ancient ecosystems.
Here’s a sanitized version of the YouTube transcript:
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We’re back here in the Insect Division with Associate Curator Petra Sierwald, and today we’re discussing millipedes. Millipedes belong to the large class of Myriapods, which have many legs. Centipedes, which you might be more familiar with, have fewer legs than millipedes. Generally, millipedes have about two leg pairs per body segment, while centipedes have one leg pair per segment.
Is there any truth to the idea that centipedes have a hundred legs and millipedes have a thousand? Not really. Centipedes simply have fewer legs, which is reflected in their name. Centipedes and millipedes have completely different lifestyles. Centipedes move sideways, somewhat like snakes, and are predators. Their first pair of legs is modified into poison glands, and they can bite if they feel threatened. On the other hand, millipedes are peaceful herbivores that thrive on decomposing vegetation, particularly rotting leaves. They use their many legs to burrow into the soil, similar to earthworms, creating spaces for air and water to travel, while also playing a crucial role in waste management.
So, they essentially act as recyclers, similar to cows. Are all of those legs in millipedes used for locomotion? Largely, yes, but the front legs in males, especially around the seventh segment, are modified for sperm transfer. These are complex copulatory organs, and we can distinguish every millipede species by these structures. Some species, like the giant Pill millipedes, have legs at the end of their bodies modified for sperm transfer and to hold onto the female. However, we know very little about the female reproductive organs. One of my major projects is creating a morphological atlas covering all 16 orders of millipedes.
How many species do you think exist? Currently, I’m maintaining a global catalog of millipede species and have about 13,000 records. That’s more than all the birds and mammals combined, isn’t it? Yes, it is. For creatures that are ecologically important, cycling undergrowth and supporting forest health, it seems vital that more people study them. I completely agree! I’m trying to inspire the next generation of millipede experts.
One challenge we face with millipedes is the lack of basic research infrastructure, like a comprehensive morphological atlas. This would help researchers compare new species with existing records. Is there a sense of urgency in documenting this information? Are millipedes at risk due to habitat loss? Unfortunately, yes. Millipedes are more endangered than we realize because they are often hidden from view. They lay their eggs in the soil, and if we clear-cut forests, the eggs are lost along with the soil. If we then try to reforest, there won’t be any millipedes to help decompose the leaves, leading to an accumulation of leaf litter.
It’s unfortunate because millipedes have existed for as long as there has been plant matter—up to 420 million years, as indicated by the oldest fossil of a land-dwelling millipede. Were millipedes among the first animals to adapt to land and breathe air? Yes, that seems to be the case, as they had access to the first available food on land. Some millipedes even produce light; these are polydesmid millipedes. We have experimented with using UV light on them, which causes certain parts to fluoresce, making it easier to capture digital images of their body parts without needing to coat them with gold for scanning.
This is “Big Mama,” a native North American millipede, Narceus americanus. We have a female here, and she’s a good size. You can see her antennae as she investigates her surroundings. Observe how her legs move in coordinated waves through her body. We haven’t disturbed her too much; otherwise, she might release her defensive secretions. Most millipedes have these secretions, and some in the large order Polydesmida can even produce cyanide.
She has claws at the end of her feet, which help her climb tree bark, but they can’t penetrate human skin. You can see the dark spots that are her eye pads; she has clusters of individual eyes in those areas. While they may look like big puppy dog eyes, they don’t have very good vision. This species is quite common in this area.
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This version removes any informal language, laughter, and unnecessary details while maintaining the core information about millipedes.
Millipedes – Millipedes are elongated arthropods with two pairs of legs per body segment, known for their role in decomposing organic matter in soil ecosystems. – Millipedes play a crucial role in nutrient cycling by breaking down leaf litter and other organic materials in forest ecosystems.
Ecosystems – Ecosystems are communities of living organisms interacting with their physical environment, functioning as a unit. – The Amazon rainforest is one of the most diverse ecosystems on the planet, supporting a vast array of plant and animal life.
Biodiversity – Biodiversity refers to the variety and variability of life forms within a given ecosystem, biome, or the entire Earth. – High biodiversity in coral reefs contributes to their resilience against environmental changes and disturbances.
Conservation – Conservation is the sustainable management and protection of natural resources and ecosystems to prevent exploitation, degradation, and extinction. – Conservation efforts are essential to preserve endangered species and maintain ecological balance.
Herbivores – Herbivores are animals that primarily consume plant material as their main source of nutrition. – Herbivores like deer and rabbits play a significant role in shaping vegetation patterns in their habitats.
Morphology – Morphology is the study of the form and structure of organisms and their specific structural features. – The morphology of bird beaks can provide insights into their feeding habits and ecological niches.
Species – Species are groups of organisms that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring, sharing common characteristics and genetic makeup. – The discovery of a new species of frog in the rainforest highlights the region’s rich biodiversity.
Habitat – A habitat is the natural environment in which a particular species lives and thrives, providing the necessary conditions for survival. – The destruction of natural habitats due to urbanization poses a significant threat to wildlife populations.
Recycling – Recycling is the process of converting waste materials into reusable materials to reduce environmental impact and conserve resources. – Implementing effective recycling programs can significantly reduce the amount of waste entering landfills and promote sustainability.
Research – Research is the systematic investigation and study of materials and sources to establish facts and reach new conclusions. – Ongoing research in marine biology is crucial for understanding the impacts of climate change on ocean ecosystems.
