Meet the 486-Legged Millipede Discovered Right Under Los Angeles

In the bustling metropolis of Los Angeles, a groundbreaking discovery has been made just inches below the surface. Meet the Los Angeles Thread Millipede (Illacme socal), a newly identified species that has eluded scientists until now.

This diminutive creature measures approximately 2.5 centimeters in length and a mere 0.5 millimeters in width, making it nearly invisible to the untrained eye. Devoid of pigmentation and completely blind, the millipede has adapted to a subterranean lifestyle, navigating through soil with remarkable efficiency.

Equipped with 486 legs and a unique ability to produce silk-like threads, it uses these features to maneuver and anchor itself in its underground habitat. The discovery was made by a team of researchers from Virginia Tech, West Virginia University, and the University of California, Berkeley, who unearthed specimens in two urban parks within Los Angeles and Orange County.

The existence of such a specialized organism in one of the world’s most urbanized areas underscores the rich biodiversity that can thrive beneath our feet, often unnoticed. This finding not only adds a new member to the millipede family but also highlights the importance of urban green spaces in conserving hidden ecosystems.

As urban development continues to expand, the conservation of these habitats becomes crucial for preserving the myriad of life forms that call them home. The Los Angeles Thread Millipede serves as a reminder of the unseen wonders that exist in harmony with urban life, waiting to be discovered.

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