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Project Noah Nature School
Found this milipede dying, probably for days, in the rotting torso of a fallen tree, by a stream close to Zygos at Kavala, Greece. As you can see, there are some white bulbs on the top of the milipedes body.I could not find out what these are, but my guess is that its some kind of parasitic fungus.Most millipedes are detritivores and feed on decomposing vegetation, faeces, or organic matter mixed with soil. (source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Millipede#D... ). Also, if you notice, at the bottom of the frame, there are noumerous red funal bulbs, which are fungi for sure.I am not sure of the exact name either.To me it looks like Byssonectria fusispora (source: http://www.rogersmushrooms.com/gallery/D... ), but some mushroom experts told me that it is Arcyria cf ferruginea.
Spotted on Jul 12, 2014
Submitted on Jul 12, 2014
3 Comments
I know they don't really feel pain and (as a scientist) I know its really bad to anthropomorphise animals. Agreed - its the way nature works, one death leads to a new life. Lion King much? :)
It was a macabre sight for sure.Nevertheless, I don't think millipedes feel pain at all, cause they miss nociceptors ( source: http://relaximanentomologist.tumblr.com/... ) so that makes us, humans feel more comfortable about this finding!Besides, thats the way nature works!The death of this milipede gave life to other organisms which is kinda cool!
Interesting find, shame that the poor thing had to suffer like that though.