In an unexpected find, naturalists in Los Angeles have discovered a new species of millipede. Dubbed the Los Angeles Thread Millipede, this tiny arthropod was discovered underground near a freeway, a Starbucks, and an Oakley sunglasses store in a Southern California hiking area.
The creature is as long as a paperclip, skinny as pencil lead, and resembles a jellyfish tentacle. It burrows four inches below ground, secretes unusual chemicals, and is blind, relying on horn-like antennas to navigate. With 486 legs and a helmet-like head, it appears like a creature from a Hollywood monster movie.
Paul Marek, an entomologist at the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and part of the research team, said, “It’s amazing to think these millipedes are crawling in the inner cracks and crevices between little pieces of rock below our feet in Los Angeles.”
The millipede, scientifically known as Illacme socal, reinforces the importance of biodiversity and the ecological roles filled by such little-known species. The researchers were led to this discovery by a citizen naturalist app, iNaturalist.
From a legal perspective, particularly in the field of environmental law, the discovery of this millipede not only highlights the richness of biodiversity in urban environments but also underscores the need for stronger protection measures for local parks and wildlands, especially in light of growing threats like climate change and invasive species.