rwilliams's Journal

I focused on finding the many different leaf and fauna patterns that nature can produce. On the millipede we can see the distinctive red and black lines, the ivy with his large leaf and multicolored pattern, and the yellow trumpet flowers are alll examples of just how diverse nature can be. I find the difference in leaf formations, from being whorled to pinnate, to be one fo the most fascinating aspects of plant life.

Millipedes have an interesting evolutionary tale behind them as their ancestors, the Arthopleura, grew up to lengths as large as 8 feet long. This extreme size in comparison to today's Milipedes is caused by the increased levels of oxygen during the Upper Carboniferous period. As such, they are the largest known living invertebrates to exist in that time period. Millipedes of today are mostly detrivores that feed on decaying plant matter, although some can also be carnivorous. They can be equipped with forty legs or all the way up to a thousand. Interestingly enough, there are over 12,000 known species of Millipedes and another undocumented 80,000 that may exist in the world.