Dominican Amber With Rare Polyxenid Millipede

Description: This piece of amber houses as its main inclusion a Polyxenid millipede. They are also termed hairy millipedes. Modern-day examples are known to shed their bristles as a way of defending themselves from attacking ants. One type of ant has evolved exceptionally long, tong-like mandibles as a way of circumventing the millipede’s defenses. The hairy body also serves as camouflage when the millipede hunkers down on the bark of a tree. The Polyxenids are some of the smallest millipedes, rarely over 1 mm in length. This one is a relative giant at 2 mm, and is accompanied by a planthopper, a nymph, and a partial cranefly.