Millipede Market Indicates Real Estate May Be Cheaper Within the Science Center: Determining the Life Cycle of Millipede Gut Symbionts Potentially Affecting Mass Migrations
Faculty Mentor
Jennifer Zettler
Location
Savannah Ballroom
Type of Research
On-going
Session Format
Poster Presentation
College
College of Science & Mathematics
Department
Biology
Abstract
A species of flat-backed millipedes, Eurymerodesmus varius, is a common soil inhabitant throughout the southeastern United States. In recent years, large numbers of millipedes have been observed inside the Science Center on the Armstrong Campus of Georgia Southern University. This population, like other millipedes around the world, has been known to exhibit mass migrations, the causes of which are unknown. When specimens are examined, they are often infected with gregarine protists. These arthropod symbionts can range from being parasitic to mutualistic as gut inhabitants but their relationship with E. varius is unknown. The aim of this study is to identify what species of gregarines infect E. varius and to build an understanding of their complex life cycle. Millipede samples will be collected regularly from February to April 2026; trends and anomalies will be recorded along with weather data. Gut dissections will be performed to record the presence of and potential life cycle data of the gregarine symbiont. The symbiont could potentially be a new species and may be specific to this species of millipede, or may have a life cycle that occurs partially in another invertebrate. We will look for clues to understand how the symbiont affects millipede behavior and life-cycle. We hope for this study to shine a dim light on the complex relationships between host and symbiont in this understudied system.
Program Description
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Start Date
4-21-2026 10:00 AM
End Date
4-21-2026 12:00 PM
Recommended Citation
Mortensen, Ella Jane, "Millipede Market Indicates Real Estate May Be Cheaper Within the Science Center: Determining the Life Cycle of Millipede Gut Symbionts Potentially Affecting Mass Migrations" (2026). GS4 Student Scholars Symposium. 29.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/research_symposium/2026A/2026A/29
Millipede Market Indicates Real Estate May Be Cheaper Within the Science Center: Determining the Life Cycle of Millipede Gut Symbionts Potentially Affecting Mass Migrations
Savannah Ballroom
A species of flat-backed millipedes, Eurymerodesmus varius, is a common soil inhabitant throughout the southeastern United States. In recent years, large numbers of millipedes have been observed inside the Science Center on the Armstrong Campus of Georgia Southern University. This population, like other millipedes around the world, has been known to exhibit mass migrations, the causes of which are unknown. When specimens are examined, they are often infected with gregarine protists. These arthropod symbionts can range from being parasitic to mutualistic as gut inhabitants but their relationship with E. varius is unknown. The aim of this study is to identify what species of gregarines infect E. varius and to build an understanding of their complex life cycle. Millipede samples will be collected regularly from February to April 2026; trends and anomalies will be recorded along with weather data. Gut dissections will be performed to record the presence of and potential life cycle data of the gregarine symbiont. The symbiont could potentially be a new species and may be specific to this species of millipede, or may have a life cycle that occurs partially in another invertebrate. We will look for clues to understand how the symbiont affects millipede behavior and life-cycle. We hope for this study to shine a dim light on the complex relationships between host and symbiont in this understudied system.
