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Photo#936226
semiaquatic millipede? - Oxidus gracilis

semiaquatic millipede? - Oxidus gracilis
In the Dry Frio River two miles north of the Real/Uvalde County line, Real County, Texas, USA
June 1, 2014
Size: about 1cm
This small millipede was exactly at the water's edge and sometimes would extend his somewhat crooked front end onto the water, as if gathering floating material. Then he'd withdraw back onto the bank, move forward a bit, and again extend the front end onto the water's surface. Structurally he seems to be "hinged" at the front end, enabling him to often crook his front end, question-mark-like. Note the stump-like appendages between legs toward the front. This is where the "hinge" is. Often while traveling he'd raise his front end cobra-like, bending at that "hinge." Any insight into who this one is would be appreciated.

Images of this individual: tag all
semiaquatic millipede? - Oxidus gracilis semiaquatic millipede? - Oxidus gracilis

Moved
Moved from Millipedes.

Judging by the grooves on the
Judging by the grooves on the paranota, this is a Paradoxosomatid, the introduced Oxidus gracilis. The stump-like appendages are his gonopods, used for mating.

Not sure what he would be doing touching the water's surface like that. Interesting though!

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