A subfossil spirostreptid millipede from SW Libya (Diplopoda, Spirostreptida, Spirostreptidae)

A subfossil millipede from the genus Archispirostreptus has been discovered at an archaeological site in the Tadrart Acacus region of southwestern Libya, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its rock art. Radiocarbon dating reveals two specimens: one from 9100 to 8800 years ago and another from 6400 to 6300 years ago, marking some of the oldest records of this group in the region. The findings suggest these millipedes are relicts of a once-continuous distribution during more humid Holocene periods, likely surviving due to favorable environmental conditions that prevailed during the early and middle Holocene. This discovery sheds light on past biodiversity and climatic shifts in the Sahara, offering insights into the resilience of species during transitional climate phases.

Enghoff, H., & Van Neer, W. (2020). A subfossil spirostreptid millipede from SW Libya (Diplopoda, Spirostreptida, Spirostreptidae). Journal of Natural History, 54(41-42), 2733–2741. https://doi.org/10.1080/00222933.2020.1866092