The creature with over 1,000 legs is a millipede, specifically belonging to the genus Eumillipes.
Millipedes: More Than Just a Few Legs
While many millipedes have a lot of legs, none were known to surpass the 1,000 mark until recently. The discovery of Eumillipes changed that, solidifying its place in the history of myriapods.
- Key Features of Eumillipes:
- The genus name, Eumillipes, comes from Latin words meaning "true", "thousand", and "foot," reflecting its unique leg count.
- This particular millipede is the first, and currently only, known species to have more than 1,000 legs.
- Discovered in December 2021, it was a significant find in the world of invertebrate biology.
- Eumillipes represents a remarkable example of leg evolution in millipedes.
Understanding Millipede Leg Count
Millipedes are known for having two pairs of legs per body segment, unlike centipedes, which have one pair per segment. This difference contributes to the high leg count that millipedes often possess. While most millipedes have hundreds of legs, Eumillipes pushes this to an entirely new scale.
| Feature | Eumillipes | Other Millipedes |
|---|---|---|
| Typical Leg Count | Over 1,000 | Hundreds (but less than 1,000) |
| Unique Feature | First millipede with 1,000+ legs | Many legs, but less than 1,000 |
| Genus Derivation | From Latin for "true thousand foot" | Varies by genus |
Why Is This Important?
The discovery of Eumillipes highlights the diversity of life on Earth and the fascinating evolutionary paths that exist in the animal kingdom. It also challenges previous perceptions about the limits of leg development in arthropods. The existence of this incredible millipede showcases how much more there is to discover and understand about biodiversity.
The main point to remember is that Eumillipes is the only known millipede that exceeds 1,000 legs, according to the reference information.
