Singapore Wild Animals: Millipedes

Class Diplopoda¹

Millipedes have a long body and many legs. Millipedes have two pairs of legs per (diplo)segment, while centipedes have one pair per segment.

There are 33 species in Singapore², 11 of which are found in urban landscape³.

The most commonly recognizable type is this red millipede - Trigoniulus corallinus. It has a cylindrical body and curls into a coil when threatened.

Trigoniulus corallinus at Admiralty Park ©Tan KH

In the forests, one may encounter a giant millipede.

Giant millipede at Central Catchment ©Tan KH

The other type that one might encounter are the plated millipedes (Order Polydesmida).

Three introduced black-and-yellow species are common in urban areas. Anoplodesmus saussurii is glossy with broad yellow edges and dark legs. Orthomorpha coarctata (syn. Asiomorpha coarctata) is less glossy with sharper yellow edges and paler legs. Chondromorpha xanthotricha is not glossy, has less yellow and sharper black edges.⁴

Anoplodesmus saussurii at Admiralty Park ©Tan KH

Orthomorpha coarctata at Sembawang Park ©Tan KH

The other plated millipedes can be found in the forests. One such species is Acanthodesmus lineatus (syn. Platyrhacus lineatus), the type locality of which is in Singapore⁵.