Editor's Summary

8 June 2006

Leg work

The world's 'leggiest' animal, a millipede that hadn't been reported since its first description in 1928, was rediscovered last fall in its only known habitat, the California Floristic Province biodiversity hotspot. An adult Illacme plenipes boasts up to 750 legs, compared to the 300 or so of most millipedes. Related and equally rare species are found in similar hotspots in Indonesia, Indo-Burma and southern Africa, emphasizing their role as repositories of exceptional diversity and the last refuge of some extremely ancient species.

Brief Communications: Biodiversity hotspots: Rediscovery of the world's leggiest animal

This ancient animal, found only in a tiny stretch of California, is close to being a true millipede.

Paul E. Marek and Jason E. Bond

doi:10.1038/441707a

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