Parafontaria
Parafontaria | |
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Parafontaria tonominea | |
Scientific classification | |
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Subfamily: | Parafontariinae Hoffman, 1978
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Genus: | Parafontaria Verhoeff, 1936
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Species | |
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Synonyms | |
Japonaria Attems, 1938 |
Parafontaria is a genus of "flat-backed" millipedes (order Polydesmida) consisting of 13 species native to Japan, where they are referred to as train millipedes.[1][2] This is because some species[vague] exhibit periodical swarming behavior during which large numbers congregate and can impact train passage when this congregation occurs on tracks. Documentation of this event goes back to 1920. [3] Individuals vary from around 3.5 to 6 cm (1.4 to 2.4 in) as adults, and feed on leaf litter as well as soil, making them comparable to earthworms in facilitating decomposition and soil nutrient cycling.[4][5]
Species[]
- Shinohara, 1986
- (Karsch, 1880)
- (Takakuwa, 1942)
- (Verhoeff, 1936)
- Shinohara, 1986
- (Attems, 1909)[6][7] This species is poisonous. [8]
- Shinohara, 1986
- Miyosi, 1951
- Shinohara, 1986
- (Takakuwa, 1942)
- Tanabe, 2002
- (Attems, 1899)
References[]
- ^ Tanabe, T. (2002). "Revision of the millipede genus Parafontaria Verhoeff, 1936 (Diplopoda, Xystodesmidae)". Journal of Natural History. 36 (18): 2139–2183. doi:10.1080/00222930110085610. S2CID 85178629.
- ^ Marek, P., et al. (2014) A Species Catalog of the Millipede Family Xystodesmidae (Diplopoda: Polydesmida). Special Publication 17. Virginia Museum of Natural History. pp.86-90
- ^ "Mystery of massive, train-stopping millipede swarms solved". Live Science. 14 January 2021.
- ^ Hashimoto, Minori; Kaneko, Nobuhiro; Ito, Masamichi T; Toyota, Ayu (2004). "Exploitation of litter and soil by the train millipede Parafontaria laminata (Diplopoda: Xystodesmidae) in larch plantation forests in Japan". Pedobiologia. 48 (1): 71–81. doi:10.1016/j.pedobi.2003.09.001.
- ^ Toyota, Ayu; Kaneko, Nobuhiro; Ito, Masamichi T. (2006). "Soil ecosystem engineering by the train millipede Parafontaria laminata in a Japanese larch forest". Soil Biology and Biochemistry. 38 (7): 1840–1850. doi:10.1016/j.soilbio.2005.12.015.
- ^ Toshio Yoshida: The periodical millipede, Parafontaria laminata armigera. On: Global Soil Biodiversity. August 29, 2016
- ^ Jacinta Bowler: Every 8 Years, Swarms of Millipedes Stop Trains in Japan. Scientists Finally Know Why. On: sciencealert. 13 January 2021
- ^ Mori, N., Kuwahara, Y., Yoshida, T., Nishida, N., 1995. Major defensive cyanogen from Parafontaria laminata armigera Verhoeff (Xystodesmidae : Polydesmida). Appl. Entomol. Zool. 30, 197-202
Categories:
- Polydesmida
- Endemic fauna of Japan
- Millipedes of Asia
- Myriapod stubs