Release of greenhouse gases from millipedes as related to food, body size, and other factors

The release of greenhouse gases from millipede digestive tracts is important in relation to climate change and for indication of microbial processes during the transformation of organic matter in animal gut. Stable CH₄-emission show the groups Spirobolida and Spirispteptida with larger body size and present gut commensals. Higher CH₄-release is related to N-rich food. CO₂-production reflects the overall metabolic activity of millipedes. Level of N₂O-release depends on content of N in food.

Release of greenhouse gases from millipedes as related to biotic factors (food, body proportion) (graphic abstract).

Experimentally, after feeding 12 species of millipedes with food in the form of (A) oak, maple and alder litter or (B) alder litter, pure cellulose and or starvation, the release rate of CO₂, CH₄ and N₂O from their digestive tracts was measured.

Publications:

Šustr V., Šimek, M., Faktorová L., Macková J., Tajovský K., 2020 - Release of greenhouse gases from millipedes as related to food, body size, and other factors. Soil Biology and Biochemistry 144, Article number 107765. DOI: 10.1016/j.soilbio.2020.107765