Biology:Glomeris hexasticha

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Glomeris hexasticha
Glomeris hexasticha 216026787.jpg
Scientific classification edit
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Myriapoda
Class: Diplopoda
Order: Glomerida
Family: Glomeridae
Genus: Glomeris
Species:
G. hexasticha
Binomial name
Glomeris hexasticha
Brandt, 1833
Synonyms
Short description: Species of pill millipede within the genus Glomeris

Glomeris hexasticha, also known as the eastern six-striped pill millipede or the diagonal-striped pill millipede, is a species of pill millipede within the family Glomeridae and order Glomerida.[1] The pill millipede is widely distributed within many European countries,[2] with the species consisting of over twenty different subspecies.[1]

Description

The body length of Glomeris hexasticha ranges from 6 to 17 mm long. Its exoskeleton displays a base colour ranging from brown to black, adorned with 7 rows (typically 6 in the eastern populations) of yellow-brown to red-brown spots. These lateral spots on the thoracic plate are large and always well-defined. The 2nd tergite of the species usually possesses a main furrow, accompanied by 0-1 pre-furrow and 2-4 subsidiary furrows. In males, the pre-anal tergite exhibits a prominent bulging of the rear margin, while in females, this bulge is less pronounced. Additionally, the male individuals exhibit a cross bulge above the rear margin.[3]

Distribution

Glomeris hexasticha possess a widespread European distribution where it can be found in the countries of: Albania, Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Germany , Hungary, Italy, North Macedonia, Poland , Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Switzerland , Ukraine .[2][4] The species is also native to Central European Russia, European Turkey and the transcontinental region of the Near East.[4]

Habitat

Glomeris hexasticha mainly inhabitants forests located within montane and subalpine altitudes.[3] Forests can be both deciduous or coniferous, exhibiting tree species such as the common hornbeam (C. betulus) and black pine (Pinus nigra).[5] G. hexasticha has also been discovered to live on forest edges and within meadow habitat, where it is found living alongside wild wheat grasses (Agropyron sp.) and common rosehip (R. canina).[5] G. hexasticha is a detritivore feeding on decaying plant matter such as dead wood and leaves.[3]

Subspecies

Glomeris hexasticha contains 27 distinct subspecies:[1]

  • Glomeris hexasticha bavarica Verhoeff, 1906
  • Glomeris hexasticha boleti Verhoeff, 1906
  • Glomeris hexasticha bosniensis Verhoeff, 1906
  • Glomeris hexasticha calcivaga Verhoeff, 1906
  • Glomeris hexasticha chiemensis Verhoeff, 1941
  • Glomeris hexasticha eimeri Verhoeff, 1906
  • Glomeris hexasticha hexasticha Verhoeff
  • Glomeris hexasticha intermedia Latzel, 1884
  • Glomeris hexasticha marcomannia Verhoeff, 1906
  • Glomeris hexasticha quercivora Verhoeff, 1906
  • Glomeris hexasticha rabensteinensis Verhoeff, 1906
  • Glomeris hexasticha ruscorum Verhoeff, 1929
  • Glomeris hexasticha suevica Verhoeff, 1911
  • Glomeris hexasticha szeklerana Verhoeff, 1906
  • Glomeris hexasticha theresiae Verhoeff, 1906
  • Glomeris hexasticha trisulcata Rothenbühler, 1899

References

Wikidata ☰ Q4302249 entry