An integrative and citizen science based approach to the rediscovery and redescription of the only known high-altitude endemic Pill Millipede, Glomeris aurita Koch (Diplopoda, Glomerida)

Abstract

The pill millipede species Glomeris aurita Koch, 1847 remained of relative unknown origin and appearance until its recent rediscovery in samples from the Bergamasque Alps, northern Italy. In order to provide an integrative redescription and accurate identification of the high-altitude microendemic G. aurita, COI barcode sequences from three individuals coming from two different localities were obtained. These sequences are compared with those of the syntopic endemic G. oblongoguttata Verhoeff, 1894, the widespread black morph of G. romana Verhoeff, 1900, as well as several widespread species including G. marginata Villers, 1789, G. connexa Koch, 1847, and G. klugii Brandt, 1833, which have rare colour morphs that exhibit some similarity to G. aurita. To rule-out any identity confusion of G. aurita with other high-altitude or little-known Italian Glomeris, specimens of G. transalpina Koch, 1836, G. oropensis Verhoeff, 1934, and G. primordialis Verhoeff, 1932 were also added to the dataset. Altogether, 24 sequences were compared. Morphologically, the specimens of G. aurita were studied utilizing scanning electron microscopy as well as non-invasive micro-CT technology. The distribution of both Bergamasque endemics, G. aurita and G. oblongoguttata, could be mapped and compared utilizing samples from the Museo civico di Scienze Naturali di Bergamo, as well as photographic evidence from an Italian naturalist forum. G. aurita has a very short active period and is the first known pill millipede species restricted to mountain tops and cold places, possibly representing a Nunatak survivor.

The millipedes collected by the Museum "La Specola" on Madagascar 1989/1991, with the description of three new species of giant pill-millipedes (Diplopoda, Sphaerotheriida, Arthrosphaeridae)

“…DNA extraction, amplification, and sequencing were conducted under identical conditions to those of earlier studies (Sagorny and Wesener 2017, Moritz and Wesener 2017, Wesener 2018, with the COI JJ primer (Astrin and Stüben 2008) being used for both PCR and sequencing. A translation into amino acids showed a similar composition to those of related species.…”

The millipede family Polyxenidae (Diplopoda, Polyxenida) in the faunas of the Crimean Peninsula and Caucasus, with notes on other European Polyxenidae

“…Whether the variation is an indicator of the presence of cryptic species of P. lagurus, or is the result of large intraspecific distances in this strictly maternal marker combined with the parthenogenetic lifestyle of the species and possible distribution by birds and wind over large distances, cannot be addressed until more detailed genetic and morphological studies are conducted. Intraspecific distances in the COI gene of widespread European species of pill millipedes (Glomerida) are usually 5% or even lower (Wilbrandt et al 2015;Wesener 2015aWesener , 2015bWesener & Conrad 2016;Reip & Wesener 2018;Wesener 2018), while interspecific distances in tropical giant pill-millipedes are usually 10% or more (Sagorny & Wesener 2017;Moritz & Wesener 2017;Wesener 2019). ), resulting in a barcoding gap between intra-and interspecific distances in the COI gene of 5-10%.…”

A framework for contextualizing social‐ecological biases in contributory science data

“…These advances in access to technology have increased the utility of participant-generated data for natural scientists and inspired new research questions. For instance, these data have documented the presence and range of rare species and morphs (Borzée et al, 2019;Wesener, 2018;Worthington et al, 2012), tracked non-native species (Gallo & Waitt, 2011;Larson et al, 2020) and revealed organismal responses to climate change and human activity (Champion et al, 2018;Des Roches et al, 2022;Sanderfoot et al, 2022;Senzaki et al, 2020). These efforts can be mutually beneficial, resulting in greater personal agency and political participation (Ballard, Dixon, et al, 2017;Conrad & Hilchey, 2011;Overdevest et al, 2004), a connection to civic and legal forums that provide legitimacy to public input (McCormick, 2012), a sense of advocacy for environmental action (Ballard, Robinson, et al, 2017;Cornwell & Campbell, 2012), increased accountability and industrial compliance with regulatory agencies (Overdevest & Mayer, 2007) and a strengthened sense of community belonging and care of the local environment (Haywood et al, 2016(Haywood et al, , 2021Newman et al, 2017;Toomey et al, 2020).…”