100 More species #18: flat-backed millipede

[urbpan]

Flat-backed millipede, Oxidus gracilis

This millipede species is native to Asia, and belongs to a family not found in North America. Having found that none of its natural enemies are here, it has become quite abundant. This group clustered in my compost container certainly suggests abundance. One authority wonders if this "may well be the most widespread and abundant metazoan animal in the world, given the enormous populations that exist in cities and towns." (Bugguide)

I profiled another species of flat-backed millipede earlier here and here.