Occurrence, Distribution and Morphological Description of 11 Species of Endemic Giant Pill-Millipedes of the Genus Arthrosphaera (Diplopoda: Sphaerotheriida: Arthrosphaeridae) in Southern India
The endemic giant pill-millipedes belonging to the genus Arthrosphaera has a long history of occurrence and distribution in the Indian Subcontinent. According to the earlier and recent records, up to 40 species of Arthrosphaera are confined to southern India and Sri Lanka. Being detritus feeders, they are sensitive to narrow range of abiotic factors and their population is dwindling due to severe human interference especially landscape modification or modern forestry/agricultural practices. There is an urgent need to update the status, occurrence and distribution in distinct ecological conditions of pill-millipedes in southern India as they are important component in organic matter decomposition as well as nutrient turn over in the forests or plantations. Based on recent surveys, the present study attempts to update occurrence, distribution and morphological description (light and scanning electron microscopy) with a diagnostic key for identification of 11 species of pill-millipedes occurring in the Western Ghats of India with commentary on their distribution pattern in different ecological conditions and impact of edaphic factors.
Cytological Studies in Six Species of Pill-Millipedes (Diplopoda-Myriapoda)
SUMMARYThe chromosome studies in six more species of Indian Pill-millipedes have been made for the first time. The species investigated reveal a highest diploid chromosome number for the group (2n=30) and an XY sex-chromosome mechanism in the male. The sex-bivalent is the largest pair in the complement.
Breakdown of plantation residues by pill millipedes (Arthrosphaera magna) and assessment of compost quality
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