New 414-legged millipede species discovered in California! - See pic

Image courtesy: Paul Marek, Virginia Tech

New York: If you're one of those who are scared of creepy crawlies, then get ready for the heebie-jeebies. Scientists have come across a bizarre new worm with 414 legs and 200 posion glands. This is not all, the worm also secretes silk from its hair and has four genitals. Just in time for Halloween, don't you think?

Illacme tobini, as the new species of millipede has been christened, was discovered in a dark cave at California's Sequoia National Park. It has been named after cave biologist Ben Tobin, was sent to diplopodologists (scientists who specialize in the study of millipedes) Bill Shear of Hampden-Sydney College and Paul Marek of Virginia Tech.

However, if 414 legs sounds impressive to you, it isn't. Because, a Illacme plenipes, a close relative of I. tobini that was also discovered in a cave a few years ago, boasted of having 750 legs.

Details of the tiny, thread-like millipede have been published at the open access journal ZooKeys.

Yes, you can start squirming now.