Ommatoiulus moreletii

Ommatoiulus moreletii
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Subphylum:	Myriapoda
Class:	Diplopoda
Order:	Julida
Family:	Julidae
Genus:	Ommatoiulus
Species:	O. moreletii
Binomial name
Ommatoiulus moreletii (Lucas, 1860) [1]

Ommatoiulus moreletii, commonly known as the black Portuguese millipede, is a herbivorous millipede native to Portugal. This species was accidentally introduced into Australia where it has since become an invasive pest.^[2]

Physical characteristics

Adult black Portuguese millipedes are smooth, 20–45 millimetres (0.8–1.8 in) long and coloured from grey to black. Immature specimens are striped and light brown. O. moreletii hatches from eggs in the soil and reaches maturity in two years.^[2]

Adult males are periodomorphic, alternating between a sexual and a non-sexual form. In their sexual form, they have gonopods (mating legs) in the seventh body segment, which they lose when they moult in spring. They remain in the non-sexual "eunuch" form until their late summer moult.^[3]

Geographic range

Since being introduced to Port Lincoln, South Australia in 1953, the millipede has spread to

• other parts of South Australia
• Victoria
• Tasmania
• Australian Capital Territory
• southern New South Wales
• Western Australia around Perth^[2]

Diet

O. moreletii are herbivorous detritivores.

Behaviour and reproduction

As a defense mechanism, the millipede secretes a pungent yellowish fluid containing hydrogen cyanide. This stains clothes permanently and irritates eyes.^[2] Due to this defence it is best for people to sweep them up rather than crushing them.^[4]

Invasive species

Lacking natural predators in Australia, O. moreletii has flourished to "plague" proportions. They are most often seen in moist conditions, which create an abundance of food. They have been known to enter residences due to their sheer numbers.^[4]

The millipedes were crushed in great numbers crossing the railway tracks at Tallarook, central Victoria in March 2009, causing train cancellations due to the disturbance of signalling equipment.^[4]

References

Arthropods portal

1. ^ "Ommatoiulus moreletii (Lucas 1860)". Fauna Europaea. http://www.faunaeur.org/full_results.php?id=328493. Retrieved March 10, 2010. 
2. ^ ^{a b c d} "Fact Sheet: Black Portuguese millipedes". CSIRO. http://www.csiro.au/resources/Black-Portuguese-Millipedes.html. Retrieved March 10, 2010. 
3. ^ Liz Yuncken (April 5, 2007). "Millipede madness". ABC Science. http://www.abc.net.au/science/articles/2007/04/05/2039499.htm. 
4. ^ ^{a b c} Megan Levy (March 9, 2010). "Rains drive millipede menace into homes". Melbourne: The Age. http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/rains-drive-millipede-menace-into-homes-20100309-pv44.html.