Narceus americanus - Narceus americanus-annularis-complex

Narceus americanus (Beauvois,

Narceus americanus (Beauvois, 1817) (Spirobolida: Spirobolidae) again, the most common millipede species in eastern North America. Narceus gordanus (Chamberlin)also occurs in peninsular Florida from Marion Co., southward, but it is much larger with a larger collum (1st segment).

… Rowland Shelley, 6 March, 2007 - 8:18pm

I think so

- wasn't it you who told me FL has two spirobolids? This isn't the Florida Millipede, judging by the color. Did you record the size? These can be huge.

Oh, I just saw your other shot with the two colors side by side - now I see why you're asking...

However, I did photograph a Narceus that was close to this color, and was unmistakable because of its size. It'll be interesting to see what others have to say.

… Hannah Nendick-Mason, 27 April, 2006 - 7:00am

This

was a small one, maybe 40mm. The other two were larger, around 55mm.

I could not find the info I read online before, but there are more than two genera in FL.

The pink legs appear to be unique to Narceus as well.

… Jeff Hollenbeck, 27 April, 2006 - 9:01am

I found one more sporobolid so far

Floridobolus penneri - but apparently it has a very restricted range.

… Hannah Nendick-Mason, 27 April, 2006 - 11:38am

Same

one I found, except in an article about a beetle larva that preys on them. I will be on the lookout for one of those millipedes now.
Thanks.

… Jeff Hollenbeck, 28 April, 2006 - 5:15pm

Molting

As a keeper of Narceus Americanus (as a pet, yes, people do that!) I hope that the original poster did not handle that animal roughly, as it was getting ready to molt, and rough handling can damage the still soft new exoskeleton underneath. The odd color results from the secretion of fluids that loosen the old shell, prior to shedding.
Murri

… Ladyblacksword, 27 May, 2006 - 2:32am

guess is I am the original poster.
What is the odd color you are refering to? The fluids should cause a dark color all around, correct? Or is the difference in shading between the specimen above and the one linked below what you are refering to?

… Jeff Hollenbeck, 27 May, 2006 - 9:55am

Are you saying this one is getting ready to molt?

We discussed a couple of different ones here and it's not quite clear from your comment what you mean by "the original poster".

Do you have an opinion on these ones (below)?

… Hannah Nendick-Mason, 27 May, 2006 - 8:23am