The giant millipede Spirostreptus sculptus, which has been lost for over 120 years, has finally been rediscovered in the pristine Makira rainforest of Madagascar.
In the vast natural world, losing track of an animal species, particularly one as large as a giant millipede, seems almost impossible. However, this was indeed the case with a species of millipede from Madagascar for over 120 years. Fortunately, thanks to the tireless efforts of scientists involved in the project “Re:wild’s Search for Lost Species”, they have rediscovered this remarkable species alongside 20 others in the untouched Makira forest.
The giant millipede Spirostreptus sculptus.
The giant millipede Spirostreptus sculptus was first described in 1897 by entomologist Henri de Saussure and naturalist Leo Zehntner after being discovered in Madagascar. However, since then, there has been no scientific record of this species. Its mysterious disappearance has posed a significant question for scientists for over a century.
The giant millipede in question, scientifically named Spirostreptus sculptus, boasts an impressive dark brown color. It was initially described in 1897 by two scientists, Henri de Saussure and Leo Zehntner, after its discovery in Madagascar. However, no records of its existence have surfaced until the “Re:wild’s Search for Lost Species” project emerged.
This project brings together scientists from various organizations with the goal of searching for animals that have been missing from scientific records for over a decade but are believed to be extinct. The estimated list includes up to 4,300 species.
Last year, they spent several weeks exploring the Makira rainforest, one of Madagascar’s largest reserves, hoping to find these elusive creatures. Christina Biggs, project lead of “Re:wild’s Search for Lost Species”, shared: “Madagascar is a hotspot for biodiversity, and the Makira rainforest is the most pristine area in the country. Therefore, we decided to test a new model for searching for lost species here.”
The “Re:wild’s Search for Lost Species” project was initiated to search for animal species that have been missing from scientific records for over a decade but are believed to be extinct. It is estimated that there are at least 4,300 such animal species globally.
Beginning with a list of 30 species to find, the research team has achieved remarkable success. One of the most astonishing discoveries was the reappearance of the giant millipede Spirostreptus sculptus. Interestingly, the local people seemed unaware of the existence of this creature.
Dmitry Telnov, an entomologist at BINCO, expressed surprise and joy: “I was personally amazed and delighted to learn that the giant millipede Spirostreptus sculptus, which is not a rare species in the Makira forest, appears to have been lost and only known from the type specimen described in 1897.”
The size of this millipede is so large that it astonished scientists. Reports indicate that the largest specimen found in the Makira forest was a giant female measuring up to 27.5 cm (10.8 inches).
Although not all species on the list were found, the research team made several other significant discoveries, including the rediscovery of two species of ant-like beetles that had not been seen since 1958 and a jumping spider Tomocyrba decollate (missing since 1900).
Additionally, the expedition team discovered a previously unknown zebra spider, a noteworthy find given that such species were thought not to inhabit Madagascar’s tropical rainforests. After finding several adult spiders guarding egg sacs in a cave, Brogan Pett, director of the SpiDiverse working group at BINCO, commented: “They are quite large spiders, and it is surprising that they have not been discovered for such a long time.”
The reappearance of Spirostreptus sculptus and other species is of great significance. It is not only a joy for science enthusiasts but also a testament to the importance of biodiversity conservation.
Julie Linchant from the Madagascar Wildlife Conservation Association stated: “It is crucial to continue research on the biodiversity of Makira. Although this is one of the largest tropical rainforests in the country, we still know very little about the plant and animal species that inhabit it. Understanding more about Makira’s biological richness will help us direct better conservation efforts.”
The reappearance of the giant millipede Spirostreptus sculptus after more than 120 years of disappearance is a powerful testament to the perseverance and efforts of scientists in biodiversity conservation. This discovery is not only a major success for the “Re:wild’s Search for Lost Species” project but also opens up new prospects for the study and protection of animal species in the future. The Makira rainforest of Madagascar, with its rich biodiversity, remains a promising ground for future scientific discoveries.
