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Trachysphaera lobata

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Trachysphaera lobata
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Myriapoda
Class: Diplopoda
Order: Glomerida
Family: Glomeridae
Genus: Trachysphaera
Species:
T. lobata
Binomial name
Trachysphaera lobata
(Ribaut, 1954)

Trachysphaera lobata, also known as the sand pill millipede,[1] is a species of pill millipede within the genus Trachysphaera and family Glomeridae.[2]

Description

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Trachysphaera lobata is a small pill millipede species which can roll into a ball of up to 3 mm in diameter.[3] Each body segments posterior margin has a raised ridge which is adorned with rows of tubercles.[3] T. lobata has been recorded to reach lengths up to 4.1 mm long and a width of 1.9 mm wide.[4] Individuals possess 17 pairs of legs.[4] Eyes consist of a row of 4 or 5 ocelli.[3] Young T. lobata are white, however adult are brown in colour.[4]

Distribution

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Trachysphaera lobata is present within the United Kingdom where populations exist in Cornwall, the Isle of Wight and South Wales.[5] It can also be found in France[5] where populations have been found in the western side of the country.[3]

Habitat

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Trachysphaera lobata can be found in woodlands inside soil, leaf litter and dead wood.[3] Preferred soils are sandy and humus rich where the millipede can be found at depths of 15 cm.[3] In France T. lobata is found in a variety of calcareous sites ranging from woodlands, caves and quarries.[3]

References

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  1. ^ "Species List: RedList GB". nbnatlas.org. 2022-03-21. Retrieved 2022-03-21.
  2. ^ "Trachysphaera lobata (Ribaut, 1954)". www.millibase.org. 2023-05-18. Retrieved 2023-05-18.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g "Trachysphaera lobata (Ribaut, 1954)". www.bmig.org.uk. 2022-03-21. Retrieved 2022-03-21.
  4. ^ a b c "Trachysphaera lobata (Ribaut), a millipede new to Britain, from the Isle of Wight" (PDF). www.bmig.org.uk. 1986. Retrieved 2022-03-21.
  5. ^ a b Wilbrandt, Lee, Read, Wesener, Jeanne, Paul, Helen, Thomas (2015). "A first integrative study of the identity and origins of the British Dwarf Pill Millipede populations, Trachysphaera cf. lobata (Diplopoda, Glomerida, Glomeridae)". Biodiversity Data Journal. 3 (3): e5176. doi:10.3897/BDJ.3.e5176. PMC 4493372. PMID 26175612.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)