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A second species of the pill millipede genus Nearctomeris Wesener, 2012 (Diplopoda, Glomerida) from the Great Smoky Mountains, USA

  • 0Department of Plant & Environmental Sciences, 277 Poole Agricultural Center, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634-0310, USA Clemson University Clemson United States of America.
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February 7, 2024

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February 7, 2024

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Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

A new pill millipede species, Nearctomeris smoky, was discovered in the southern Appalachians. Phylogenetic analysis reveals ancient lineages and suggests extinction events contributed to the low diversity of Glomerida in the eastern US.

Area Of Science

  • Zoology
  • Entomology
  • Biodiversity Studies

Background

  • The Glomerida order exhibits low species diversity in America.
  • The southern Appalachian Mountains are a known biodiversity hotspot for endemic species.

Purpose Of The Study

  • To describe a new species of Nearctomeris, a genus of pill millipede.
  • To investigate the phylogenetic relationships and evolutionary history of Nearctomeris and related genera.
  • To update the known distribution records for Nearctomeris species in the eastern United States.

Main Methods

  • Morphological examination of millipede specimens.
  • Molecular phylogenetic analysis using COI gene sequences.
  • DNA barcoding of Glomerida species in the US.

Main Results

  • A second species, Nearctomeris smoky sp. nov., is described based on morphological and molecular data.
  • Phylogenetic analyses suggest a monophyletic lineage for Nearctomeris and Onomeris, with divergence in the Late Cretaceous to Mid Eocene.
  • New distribution records are provided for Nearctomeris inexpectata, Onomeris underwoodi, and O. australora, with the latter reported from South Carolina for the first time.

Conclusions

  • The low diversity of Glomerida in the eastern US may be attributed to past extinction events.
  • Further species discovery within this group is possible.
  • The study provides crucial DNA barcoding data for US Glomerida species.

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