Ommatoiulus moreleti (Lucas, 1860)

Common name

Portugese Black Millipede

Status:

Unknown, probably introduced.

ID Difficulty

Identification

Ommatoiulus moreleti is a distinctive robust millipede up to 40 mm in length, typically darkly pigmented with with pink legs and antennae and a projecting pointed telson.  Immatures are paler in colour, often with a hint of longitudinal stripes. 

A brief description, with figures, is given by Gregory, Owen, Jones & Williams (2018).

Christian Owen
Christian Owen
Christian Owen
Christian Owen
Steve Gregory
Steve Gregory
Warren Maguire

Distribution and Habitat

Discovered in April 2017 at a woodland in Glamorganshire, south Wales (Gregory, Owen, Jones & Williams, 2018). Subsequently, it has been found at a few additional 'ex-colliery' sites in the area.

Subsequently a specimen was collected from a garden centre in Co. Fermanagh, Ireland (BMIG Newsletter 47, pg 12) suggesting that it may be spread further afield via the horticultural trade.

References

Gregory, S.J., Owen, C., Jones, G. & Williams, E. (2018) Ommatoiulus moreleti (Lucas, 1860) and Cylindroiulus pyrenaicus (Brölemann, 1897) new for the UK (Diplopoda, Julida: Julidae).  Bulletin of the British Myriapod & Isopod Group 30: 48-60.

BRC code

65

idBmigTaxa