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VOL. 10, ISSUE 2 (2025)
Bergmann’s rule and elevational - size pattern in millipede species along elevational gradient
Authors
Samuel Didier Makon, Mbenoun Masse Paul Serge, Woubassi Wuibe Ulrich sidoine, Bilong Bilong Charles Felix
Abstract
Along altitudinal gradients, body size in
animals often exhibits a pattern where species at higher elevations tend to be
either smaller or larger with elevation. Herein, we studied
altitudinal variation in body size by measuring body length (mm) in eleven most
frequent millipede species belonged to seven families (Spirostreptidae,
Chelodesmidae, Cryptodesmidae, Oxydesmidae, Pyrgodesmidae, Gomphodesmidae, and
Odontopygidae) along elevational gradient.
We have also recorded temperature (°c) at each zonation. As result, mean body
length in all measured millipedes were negatively correlated with temperature.
Within each species, the smallest-sized individuals were recorded at higher
temperatures, medium-sized at mid-temperatures, while the largest-sized
individuals occurred at lower temperatures. Mean body length was positively
associated with elevation. In the largest millipede species, Telodeinopus
caniculatus (Spirotreptidae), size increased from lower to mid-elevations
(14.75 cm to 15.20 cm) and reached a maximum size at higher elevations (16.22
cm). The same pattern was observed in the smallest species Tymbodesmus
falcatus (Gomphodesmidae), with 0.1 cm found at lower elevations, 0.15 cm
at mid-elevations and 0.2 cm at higher elevations. This geographic variation
pattern found in eleven different millipede species belonging to seven
families, support ecogeographic rule of Bergmann of increasing body size with
increasing elevation. It also aligns with increasing body size and decreasing
in temperature at higher elevations.
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Pages:91-98
How to cite this article:
Samuel Didier Makon, Mbenoun Masse Paul Serge, Woubassi Wuibe Ulrich sidoine, Bilong Bilong Charles Felix "Bergmann’s rule and elevational - size pattern in millipede species along elevational gradient". International Journal of Zoology Studies, Vol 10, Issue 2, 2025, Pages 91-98
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