Rare Dominican Amber 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 will take some searching with a 10X loupe to locate. It is in the lower left between the 7 o’clock and 8 o’clock position in the first photograph. There is also a seed pod trapped within.