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18 February 2025 EASTERN CRYSTAL MILLIPEDE (TRIBE ANIULINI) OBSERVED TRANSFERRING POLLEN ON RUSTY BLACKHAW (VIBURNUM RUFIDULUM)
Emily A. Geest, Ray A. Moranz
Author Affiliations +
Abstract

Millipedes are typically detritivores but records exist of millipedes having more varied diets including eating living plant matter, fruit, and algae among many others. However, there are no records of millipedes nectaring. We document an eastern crystal millipede (Tribe Aniulini) nectaring on and subsequently transferring pollen between anthers and stigmas on a rusty blackhaw (Viburnum rufidulum) inflorescence. This event raises important questions on Diplopoda behavior and the potential for unknown ecosystem services facilitated by millipedes.

Los milpiés suelen ser detritívoros, pero existen registros de milpiés que tienen dietas más variadas, que incluyen comer materia vegetal viva, frutas y algas, entre muchos otros. Sin embargo, no hay registros de milpiés que consuman néctar. Documentamos un milpiés de cristal (Tribe Aniulini) comiendo néctar y posteriormente transfiriendo polen entre anteras y estigmas en una inflorescencia de Viburnum rufidulum. Este evento plantea preguntas importantes sobre el comportamiento de los diplopodos y el potencial de servicios ecosistémicos desconocidos facilitados por los milpiés.

Emily A. Geest and Ray A. Moranz "EASTERN CRYSTAL MILLIPEDE (TRIBE ANIULINI) OBSERVED TRANSFERRING POLLEN ON RUSTY BLACKHAW (VIBURNUM RUFIDULUM)," The Southwestern Naturalist 69(2), 1-5, (18 February 2025). https://doi.org/10.1894/0038-4909-69.2.7
Received: 21 March 2024; Accepted: 8 January 2025; Published: 18 February 2025
KEYWORDS
Diplopoda
nectar
pollination
record
unusal pollinator
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