Population dynamics of a threatened giant millipede: implications for restoration

Abstract

AbstractThe population dynamics of threatened invertebrates have important implications for their conservation and restoration. The Seychelles giant millipede (SGM), Sechelleptus seychellarum, is a threatened and functionally important macro‐detritivore endemic to the Seychelles granitic islands. Here, we studied the population dynamics of the SGM from 1998 to 2009 on Cousine Island, Seychelles, to make practical restoration recommendations. Large fluctuations in millipede densities were found between 1998 and 2009. In 2002, 2003, 2005, and 2007 millipede densities were low, while densities were high in 1998 and 2009. Although the SGM is active all year round, millipede surface activity was positively correlated with rainfall, with millipede density high during the wet NW monsoon period (i.e., October to April) and low during the SE trade wind period (i.e., May to September). Female:male:juvenile ratios were ∼3:1:1. The implications of these results for restoration are that translocations should preferably be done in years of high millipede densities and during the wet season. Furthermore, chemical control of the invasive ant Pheidole megacephala, which is currently being carried out on Cousine Island and in future could be conducted on other Seychelles islands, should preferably be done during the low rainfall months, as the SGM readily consumes the hydramethylnon‐based bait.