‘Maerdy monster’ is new millipede species
A NEW species of millipede has been discovered down a coal mine and nicknamed the “Maerdy Monster”.
The brown-coloured arthropod – believed to be the first millipede species to be found in the UK since 1993 – was discovered underneath a pile of stones by a team of naturalists who were studying Maerdy colliery in South Wales. Experts have described the discovery of the creature as “hugely significant”.
Liam Olds, who led the team, said: “It’s not every day that you find a species new to science. It shows you don’t have to go to the Amazon to find new things.”
Specimens were sent to the Bavarian State Collection of Zoology, which confirmed the millipedes were “new to science”.