Many-legged creature with ‘bright pink’ body plates is new species from Cambodia
Very little is known about millipedes in Cambodia, with just a fraction of the actual number of species formally documented. Covering a vast range of sizes, colors, shapes and habitats, they are “among the least explored globally,” according to experts.
Over the course of several years, a team set out to fill in some of these knowledge gaps by surveying southern and western Cambodia. In the process, they discovered three new millepede species, all of which display striking, bright colors, according to a study published Sept. 10 in the journal ZooKeys.
Orthomorpha tergoaurantia, distinguished by its “larger body size” and orange body plate extensions paraterga, was discovered at Prasat Phnom Totong Temple in southern Cambodia. Two more were found at other sacred sites, including Phnom Cheal Pagoda and Phnom Chhngok Cave Temple, according to the study.
The new species measures about 1.5 inches long and is mostly “dark brown to blackish” with “contrasting dark orange to bright orange” pointed body plate extensions, according to the study.
A second newly discovered species named Orthomorpha efefai is smaller, measuring about 1.2 inches long, researchers said.
The new species is blackish with “reddish pink or bright pink” pointed body plates, according to the study. It was discovered in Neang Romsay Sak Cave.
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Researchers said these discoveries double the number of known Orthomorpha millipede species in Cambodia, with likely more left to be identified. “The northern, central, and eastern regions of Cambodia have not yet been surveyed,” researchers said. “These regions are ecologically diverse and may harbor a variety of undiscovered millipede species.”
The research team included Natdanai Likhitrakarn, Sergei I. Golovatch, Sothearen Thi, Chhin Sophea, Vanny Lou, Pablo Sinovas, Ekgachai Jeratthitikul, Arthit Pholyotha, Warut Siriwut, Ruttapon Srisonchai, Somsak Panha and Chirasak Sutcharit.
This story was originally published September 11, 2025 at 6:42 AM with the headline "Many-legged creature with ‘bright pink’ body plates is new species from Cambodia."
