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Project Noah Nature School
Symphyla (class)
Superficially looking like termites, these unpigmented and eyeless myriapods have about 10 - 12 pairs of legs.
Under the bark of a dead acacia tree
Common centipedes usually have 21 pairs of legs and therefore 42 in total. http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/794... You need 2.5 of them to make 100 legs (centi = 100). However, they always have an odd number of segments, so if one had 49 segments or 51 segments, they would have 98 or 102 legs. You cannot get the perfect centipede with 100 legs =(
8 Comments
thanks argybee, I've found a different one today so this is a timely reference.
Hi martin. I stumbled upon a Tas website that you might be interested in. I think he's the (only?) multipede expert in Aus. It made me think of your little white creatures. You might find it useful to bookmark... http://www.polydesmida.info/tasmanianmul...
Don't get technical with me Leuba =) But yes, they are rather distinctive. They were found under bark and this may explain the flattening. I have also not noticed the normal well developed antennae, a bit of a concern from the viewpoint of IDing. I think it is worth collecting a couple for the microscope for closer scrutiny.
great spotting Martin ! - yours have lateral extensions to the terga and a flat head segment...
Excellent find martin. Great to fill another slot in the life tree.
Yes.. Martin.. These tiny life forms must be documented. Actually they keep grounds bio diversity healthy.
I must admit it was a lesson for me too. These macro cameras that increase the magnification just enough to notice a whole new world =)
Truly lesson Martin...!!