Sphaerotheriida (from the Latin sphaerium = ball) is an order of millipedes[1] in the infraclass Pentazonia,[2] sometimes known asgiant pill millipedes. They inhabit Southern Africa, Madagascar, South and Southeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand.[3] Like the Northern Hemisphere pill millipedes of the order Glomerida, these millipedes can roll into a ball when disturbed. When they are rolled-up, most sphaerotheriidans reach a maximum size of a cherry [4] or golf ball,[5] but some species from Madagascar can even reach the size of an orange[6] (an example ofisland gigantism). When rolled-up, predatorsare unable to unravel giant pill millipedes since the margins of their second and last dorsal plates fit perfectly into one another, creating a sealed ball. A few giant pill millipede species are able to produce sound, the only millipede taxa known to do this.[7]This order of millipedes is also unique in that some African species are used for medicinal purposes.[8]
Sphaerotheriida (from the Latin sphaerium = ball) is an order of millipedes[1] in the infraclass Pentazonia,[2] sometimes known asgiant pill millipedes. They inhabit Southern Africa, Madagascar, South and Southeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand.[3] Like the Northern Hemisphere pill millipedes of the order Glomerida, these millipedes can roll into a ball when disturbed. When they are rolled-up, most sphaerotheriidans reach a maximum size of a cherry [4] or golf ball,[5] but some species from Madagascar can even reach the size of an orange[6] (an example ofisland gigantism). When rolled-up, predatorsare unable to unravel giant pill millipedes since the margins of their second and last dorsal plates fit perfectly into one another, creating a sealed ball. A few giant pill millipede species are able to produce sound, the only millipede taxa known to do this.[7]This order of millipedes is also unique in that some African species are used for medicinal purposes.[8]
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