About Polyzonium germanicum Brandt, 1837
Polyzonium germanicum Brandt, 1837 is a distinctive arthropod with a very small triangular head. Its body length ranges from 5mm to 18mm, and has a brownish-orange color. Unlike most millipede species, which have 3 pairs of legs when they hatch, this species hatches with 4 pairs of legs.
P. germanicum has ozadenes, which are not present on its first five body segments. These ozadenes secrete an irritant monoterpene substance to deter predators.
This millipede has an extensive range across Europe, and lives in both temperate and Mediterranean climates. It has been recorded in the following countries: Albania, Austria, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom, and Ukraine.
P. germanicum is primarily associated with woodland habitats. It has been found in mixed deciduous and coniferous woodlands growing on chalk soils, and also in mature coppices of Castanea sativa and Corylus avellana. Its populations reach their highest densities in woodland and forest habitats that contain coarse woody debris. In Slovakia, the species has been recorded living in beech forests at elevations of 700 to 1100 meters above sea level.
