Before now, no species has been found with more than 750 legs. The arthropod is finally living up to its name after it was discovered with 1,306 legs.
The new species is called Eumillipes persephone and it is also known as the Greek goddess of the Underworld. The wriggly creature was found in a mining drill hole in the Eastern Goldfields Province of Australia.
The four creatures analyzed so far show that E. persephone has up to 330 segments on its body and can measure up to 95.7mm wide and 3.97 inches long. The cone-shaped head and beak of this millipede is missing eyes.
A female persephone has 1,306 legs. Marek et al., Scientific Reports, 2021.
The researchers wrote in their paper that the earliest animals to breathe atmospheric oxygen and some extinct species that grew to two meters have lived on this planet for more than 400 million years.
The new world record holder of the animal with the greatest number of legs is the new discovery of E. persephone.
The previous record of 750 legs was set by the species Illacme. The central region of California is where this particular millipede is found, and it grows to a length of 25 to 40 millimeters.
The long, thread-like appearance of E. persephone is similar to that of I. plenipes. It is a species distinct from others.
The long bodies, multiple segments and many legs found in both I. persephone could have evolved to enable these millipedes to push and burrow through the soil more effectively, the researchers suggest.
The researchers say that the sliding trunk segments and the thrust of the legs help propel the animal through a varied and unpredictable underground microhabitat.
There are still many unknowns about E. persephone, but there is enough to mark it out as its own species and establish that it is a record breaker in terms of its leg.
The researchers say the discovery of this new millipede is evidence of the diversity found deep underground in the Eastern Goldfields Province, and helps to make a strong case for the region to be protected for the future.
The underground habitat most likely stayed stable because it was cool and moist. It's possible that more discoveries are on the way.
The researchers write that the underground habitats are critically under studied, despite their importance in the screening of environmental toxins.
The research has been published.
