Zoosphaerium neptunus

Zoosphaerium neptunus, also known as the giant emerald pill millipede, is a species of millipede within the family Arthrosphaeridae. It is the largest known pill-millipede in the world, with some individuals reaching lengths of 90 mm (3.5 inches) long.[1] The species is endemic to Madagascar, where it is known to swarm at certain times of the year.[1]

Zoosphaerium neptunus
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Myriapoda
Class: Diplopoda
Order: Sphaerotheriida
Family: Arthrosphaeridae
Genus: Zoosphaerium
Species:
Z. neptunus
Binomial name
Zoosphaerium neptunus
(Butler 1872)
Synonyms
    • Sphaerotherium digitale De Saussure & Zehntner, 1902
    • Sphaerotherium neptunus Butler, 1872
    • Sphaerotherium pygidiale Saussure & Zehntner, 1897
    • Zoosphaerium digitale (De Saussure & Zehntner, 1902)

Description

Sexual dimorphism is present within the species, with females reaching larger sizes than males.[2] Males can reach up to 45 mm (1.8 inches) long, while females reach 90 mm (3.5 inches) long.[1]

Distribution and habitat

Zoosphaerium neptunus can be found living in moist lowland rainforest habitats up to elevations of 850 metres above sea level.[3] The species is endemic to Madagascar and is widely distributed in Eastern Madagascar, however populations have also been recorded in Northern and Southern Madagascar.[3]

References
  1. Wesener, Thomas, and Kai Schütte (2010). "Swarming behaviour and mass occurrences in the world's largest giant pill-millipede species, Zoosphaerium neptunus, on Madagascar and its implication for conservation efforts (Diplopoda: Sphaerotheriida)". Madagascar Conservation & Development. 5 (2): 89–94.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: uses authors parameter (link)
  2. Wesener, Thomas (2016). "The Giant Pill-Millipedes, order Sphaerotheriida – An annotated species catalogue with morphological atlas and list of apomorphies (Arthropoda: Diplopoda)" (PDF). Bonn Zoological Bulletin (zoologicalbulletin.de). Retrieved 2022-10-26.
  3. "Emerald Green Giant Pill-Millipede". IUCN Red List. 2023-01-23. Retrieved 2023-01-23.


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