Brachoria ligula
The Welch Tongue Mimic Millipede
Paul Marek
1.300a.JPG)
Characteristics
Brachoria ligula individuals are about 42.6 mm long and 10.2 mm wide (females 44.5 mm X 10.4 mm). Color: Striped lemon-yellow.
Brachoria ligula genitalia - left male gonopodal acropodite (with setae removed): (Left) medial view and (Right) magnified apical view. © Paul Marek
Habitat
Brachoria ligula specimens were collected during the day (13:00) in a forested cove comprising birch, tulip poplar, and maple. Individuals were found beneath layers of decomposing leaf material in close proximity to a large yellowjacket nest. At the other site (near the roadside overlook), individuals were found in a forest comprising rhododendron, maple, hemlock, tulip poplar, and sassafras. Other xystodesmids encountered sympatrically at the first locality are: Sigmoria latior latior (2-spotted orange), Apheloria virginiensis corrugata (striped yellow) and Pleuroloma flavipes (3-spotted yellow). Note: Individuals of B. ligula may be confused in the field with A. virginiensis corrugata due to similarity in color pattern.Distribution
Known only from the type locality and two other sites about 1.2 air km apart in McDowell Co. West Virginia. The closest known Brachoria species, B. laminata, B. hoffmani, and B. campcreekensis, occur about 30 air km west, south, and east in Virginia and West Virginia.Conservation status
Brachoria ligula is threatened by habitat loss due to agriculture (especially growing demand for paper products), coal mining, development, and the invasion of exotic species.References
Marek P.E. 2010. A revision of the Appalachian millipede genus Brachoria Chamberlin, 1939 (Polydesmida: Xystodesmidae: Apheloriini). Zool. J. Linn. Soc. 159: 817-889.
Keeton W.T. 1959. A revision of the millipede genus Brachoria (Polydesmida: Xystodesmidae) Proc. US Nat. Mus. 109: 1-58.
Hoffman R.L. 1999. Checklist of the millipeds of North and Middle America. Virginia Museum of Natural History Special Publication. No. 8. Martinsville: Virginia Museum of Natural History.
Title Illustrations
1.100a.JPG)
| Scientific Name | Brachoria ligula |
|---|---|
| Location | USA, West Virginia, McDowell Co. |
| Reference | Marek P.E. 2010. A revision of the Appalachian millipede genus Brachoria Chamberlin, 1939 (Polydesmida: Xystodesmidae: Apheloriini). Zool. J. Linn. Soc. 159: 817-889. |
| Specimen Condition | Live Specimen |
| Sex | m |
| Life Cycle Stage | adult |
| View | dorsal |
| Collection | FMNH |
| Collector | Paul Marek |
| Image Use |
 This media file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License - Version 3.0.
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| Copyright |
© Paul Marek
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About This Page
Work on the millipede Tree of Life pages was supported by a U.S. National Science Foundation Doctoral Dissertation Improvement Grant to Paul Marek and Jason Bond (DEB 0607996) and a Partnerships for Enhancing Expertise in Taxonomy Grant to Petra Sierwald, Jason Bond, and William Shear (DEB 0529715).
Paul Marek
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Correspondence regarding this page should be directed to Paul Marek at
Page copyright © 2010 Paul Marek
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Brachoria ligula . The Welch Tongue Mimic Millipede.
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- First online 16 September 2010
- Content changed 16 September 2010
Citing this page:
Marek, Paul. 2010. Brachoria ligula . The Welch Tongue Mimic Millipede. Version 16 September 2010 (under construction). http://tolweb.org/Brachoria_ligula/144228/2010.09.16 in The Tree of Life Web Project, http://tolweb.org/
