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A LIFE HISTORY STUDY OF CHEROKIA GEORGIANA**

Abstract

Millipedes, belonging to the class Diplopodia, are detritivores that maintain soil structure and health as well as nutrient cycling in an ecosystem. Conducting life history studies on these arthropods can provide insight into their reproductive patterns, growth, and development. This ongoing study aims to produce the first documentation of Cherokia georgiana from birth to death resulting in the creation of a survivorship curve. A previous preliminary Cherokia georgiana life history study maintained the millipedes for 156 days. Reproduction occurred in seven of the eleven females beginning around day 37. A total of seven clutches of eggs were laid with roughly 100 stadium I offspring arising from each clutch. However, prior to or during the first molt, all offspring perished. Timing and cause of death was unknown. In this study we aimed to recreate and improve upon these preliminary findings. Millipedes were collected from Lake Laurel Biological Field Station in Milledgeville, GA. Millipedes were sexed and measurements of body dimension were taken prior to being put into mating pairs and kept in an artificial laboratory environment. The millipedes were kept in 1L deli containers which included soil that had been passed through a 4.75 mm sieve and leaf litter that was oven-dried at 60°C for 24 hours. Careful observation of the millipedes and their vivarium are made once a week to minimize disturbance. Dechlorinated water is administered at this time as well. Efforts to collect continue to be made in an aim to obtain the desired ten mating pairs. At this point no reproductive activity has been observed with any of the six mating pairs. The findings of this study will advance the understanding of this understudied species, Cherokia georgiana, thereby informing future research in this field.

Acknowledgements

Georgia College & State University Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences

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