Orthoporus ornatus

Orthoporus ornatus
A specimen found in San Andres National Wildlife Refuge, New Mexico, USA
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Myriapoda
Class: Diplopoda
Order: Spirostreptida
Family: Spirostreptidae
Genus: Orthoporus
Species:
O. ornatus
Binomial name
Orthoporus ornatus
(Girard, 1853)

Orthoporus ornatus (also known as the desert millipede) is a North American species of millipede in the family Spirostreptidae that can be found in the U.S. states of Arizona, New Mexico and Texas, and as far south as the Mexican state of San Luis Potosí. They became very popular in the pet trade and many were exported to Western Europe. Brian Van Der Kieft and Max Prins were the first breeders of this species in Europe.[1] Individuals on average are 4 inches (10 cm) in length,[2] but can either be as small as 3 inches (76 mm),[3] or exceed up to 9 inches (230 mm) in length. They are dark brownish coloured,[4] but can sometimes be yellow. In fact, in every state the species look different.[5] The antennae are located near the organs of Tömösváry. The species feed on both living and dead organic material. The species prefer sunshine, but can be seen on summer rainy days as well. A disturbed Orthoporus ornatus may curl into a coil and release a toxic substance that is located on all sides of its body. The species can live more than ten years.[6] The species feed on shrubs of Ephedra, which grows in Jornada del Muerto, and on Salsola that grows in Albuquerque.[7]

  1. ^ Hoffman, R. L. 1999. "Checklist of the Millipeds of North and Middle America". Virginia Museum of Natural History Special Publications, 8, p. 125-126.
  2. ^ "Description of dead Orthoporus ornatus". Retrieved November 28, 2012.
  3. ^ "Desert millipede size". Bugs in Cyberspace. Retrieved November 28, 2012.
  4. ^ "Deseret Millipede (Orthoporus ornatus)". Petroglyph National Monument. Retrieved November 27, 2012.
  5. ^ F. S. Nunez & C. S. Crawford (1977). "Anatomy and histology of the alimentary tract of the desert millipede Orthoporus ornatus (Girard) (Diplopoda: Spirostreptidae)". Journal of Morphology. 151 (1): 121–130. doi:10.1002/jmor.1051510107. PMID 30241433.
  6. ^ "Description and habitat". Arizona Wildlife. August 10, 2008. Archived from the original on October 23, 2008. Retrieved November 28, 2012.
  7. ^ R. C. Wooten Jr., C. S. Crawford & W. A. Riddle (1975). "Behavioural thermoregulation of Orthoporus ornatus (Diplopoda: Spirostreptidae) in three desert habitats". Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. 57 (1): 59–74. doi:10.1111/j.1096-3642.1975.tb01890.x.