Xystocheir dissecta is a species of flat-backed millipede in the family Xystodesmidae. It is found in North America.[1][2][3][4] If threatened, X. dissecta can release a hydrogen cyanide gas, which has benzaldehyde as a byproduct. This defense works against most beetle predators, except Promecognathus.[5][6]

Xystocheir dissecta
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Myriapoda
Class: Diplopoda
Order: Polydesmida
Family: Xystodesmidae
Genus: Xystocheir
Species:
X. dissecta
Binomial name
Xystocheir dissecta
(Wood, 1867)

Subspecies

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These three subspecies belong to the species Xystocheir dissecta:

  • Xystocheir dissecta dissecta (Wood, 1867)
  • Xystocheir dissecta microrama Shelley, 1996
  • Xystocheir dissecta taibona Chamberlin, 1912

References

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  1. ^ "Xystocheir dissecta Report". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 2019-09-24.
  2. ^ "Xystocheir dissecta". GBIF. Retrieved 2019-09-24.
  3. ^ Shelley, R. M. "The myriapods, the world's leggiest animals". University of Tennessee. Retrieved 2019-07-02.
  4. ^ Weary, Brandt P; Will, Kipling W (2020-09-11). Sime, Karen (ed.). "The Millipede-Predation Behavior of Promecognathus and Exceptional Cyanide Tolerance in Promecognathus and Metrius (Coleoptera: Carabidae)". Annals of the Entomological Society of America. doi:10.1093/aesa/saaa023. ISSN 0013-8746.
  5. ^ Oh, Jenny (2019-04-23). "This Millipede and Beetle Have a Toxic Relationship | KQED". www.kqed.org. Retrieved 2024-03-25.

Further reading

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  • Hoffman, Richard L. (1999). Checklist of the millipeds of North and Middle America. Virginia Museum of Natural History Special Publications. Vol. 8. ISBN 9781884549120.

External resources

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PBS Digital Studios | Deep Look on YouTube : This Millipede and Beetle Have a Toxic Relationship