| Thailand's "Shocking Pink Millipede" Recognized as One of the Most Exciting New Species in the World | | | |
On 23 May 2008, the new species selection committee of the International Institute for Species Exploration (IISE) at University of Arizona, USA, announced its list of the ten most exciting new species in the world discovered in 2007. Thailand’s Shocking Pink Millipede made number three on the list. It was discovered by Professor Dr.Somsak Panha and his colleague from the Animal Systematics Research Unit of the Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Science, who were working on a research project funded by the National Center for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (BIOTEC)’s Biodiversity Research and Training Program (BRT).
The Shocking Pink Millipede is found only in Thailand in the moist fertile rainforest area between the northern part of the central region and the southern part of the northern region. Its scientific name is Desmoxytes purpurosea. The millipede has a striking pink color and interesting spikes resembling a dragon. It can release cyanide to defend itself.
This discovery of the Shocking Pink Millipede demonstrates the great biodiversity that Thailand possesses. Millipedes are small creatures that help decompose organic matter to make the soil fertile. They are very important in the eco-system.
This is IISE’s list of the ten most exciting new species in the world discovered in 2007 :
1. A Sleeper Ray with a Name that Sucks (an electric ray from Africa)
2. 75-Million Year Old Giant Duck-billed Dinosaur (found as a fossil in the USA)
3. Shocking Pink Millipede (from Thailand)
4. Rare Frog Off the Shelf (found in Sri Lanka)
5. One of the Most Venomous Snakes in the World (discovered in Australia)
6. Fruit Bat Crosses the Line (from the Philippines)
7. New Fun Guy on Campus? (a fungus discovered in Imperial College)
8. Jellyfish Named After Its Victim (Robert King Jellyfish found in Australia)
9. Life Imitates Art: “Dim” Rhinoceros Beetle (discovered in Peru)
10. Michelin Man™ Plant (discovered in Australia)
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