Parafontaria | |
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Parafontaria tonominea | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | |
Phylum: | |
Subphylum: | |
Class: | |
Order: | |
Family: | |
Subfamily: | Parafontariinae
Hoffman, 1978
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Genus: | Parafontaria Verhoeff, 1936
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Species | |
See text | |
Synonyms | |
Japonaria Attems, 1938 |
Parafontaria is a genus of "flat-backed" millipedes (order Polydesmida) consisting of 13 species native to Japan, where they are referred to as train millipedes. [1] [2] This is because some species[ vague] exhibit periodical swarming behavior during which large numbers congregate and can impact train passage when this congregation occurs on tracks. Documentation of this event goes back to 1920. [3] Individuals vary from around 3.5 to 6 cm (1.4 to 2.4 in) as adults, and feed on leaf litter as well as soil, making them comparable to earthworms in facilitating decomposition and soil nutrient cycling. [4] [5]
Parafontaria | |
---|---|
![]() | |
Parafontaria tonominea | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | |
Phylum: | |
Subphylum: | |
Class: | |
Order: | |
Family: | |
Subfamily: | Parafontariinae
Hoffman, 1978
|
Genus: | Parafontaria Verhoeff, 1936
|
Species | |
See text | |
Synonyms | |
Japonaria Attems, 1938 |
Parafontaria is a genus of "flat-backed" millipedes (order Polydesmida) consisting of 13 species native to Japan, where they are referred to as train millipedes. [1] [2] This is because some species[ vague] exhibit periodical swarming behavior during which large numbers congregate and can impact train passage when this congregation occurs on tracks. Documentation of this event goes back to 1920. [3] Individuals vary from around 3.5 to 6 cm (1.4 to 2.4 in) as adults, and feed on leaf litter as well as soil, making them comparable to earthworms in facilitating decomposition and soil nutrient cycling. [4] [5]