Millipede species named in honor of Louis A. Hansen

Six new species have been added to the list of approximately 13,000 known species of millipedes following the publication of a research article in European Journal of Taxonomy by Henrik Enghoff, National History Museum of Denmark, and an international team of researchers. 

Millipedes, a group of terrestrial and slow-mowing arthropods known for their several pairs of jointed legs, are found on all continents except Antarctica with many species living in forest floors, dead wood, and soil, feeding on decomposing vegetation and other organic matters.

Recognition from a zoology legend

One of the new species, Morogorius louishanseni, is named in honor of Louis A. Hansen, ornithologist and Research Consultant of many years at the Center for Macroecology, Evolution and Climate (CMEC), Globe Institute, University of Copenhagen.

Although Louis A. Hansen has been collecting millipedes for years as a “side hustle” in connection with his ornithological expeditions, the recognition was far from expected:

- It is, of course, a tremendous honor to receive this recognition – especially when it comes from a good colleague. But I must admit, I was completely surprised! I never imagined that Henrik Enghoff – a true legend in zoology – would come up with such an idea, Louis A. Hansen says and concludes:

 - It’s both a bit surreal and truly touching. And if one is to be immortalized, it could certainly be much worse than a long, many-legged creature!

A step into the past

All the newly described species were found in the Udzungwa Mountains – a mountain range in south-central Tanzania – known for its high biodiversity with many endemic species of animals and plants.

- When I first stepped into the forests of Udzungwa in 1991–92, during an 11-month expedition, it felt like walking straight into the past. No chainsaws, no plantations – only birdsong and the hum of leaves. That experience has stayed with me ever since, and it’s the reason I keep coming back, says Louis A. Hansen.

Years later, while on an expedition in the region in 2006 searching for sunbirds, Louis A. Hansen collected the millipede specimen, preserved it, and labeled it with the necessary data.

Eventually, the specimen was deposited in the zoological collections of the Natural History Museum of Denmark where it remained until the many-legged arthropod was examined, formally described, and – finally – named.

You don’t protect what you don’t know

To Louis A. Hansen, the time spent in the forests of Tanzania is more than professional work and personal interest:

- Since you don’t protect what you don’t know, I hope to help raise awareness among local and international stakeholders. I dream of elevating the level of protection in the region. It’s important that conservation isn’t just something written on paper, but something you can feel in the field. Even for species that don’t make it into tourist brochures, Louis A. Hansen explains and concludes:

- Ultimately, I hope to help secure more funding for fieldwork. It’s out there in the mud and among mosquitoes that the true discoveries are made – not just behind desks and in PowerPoint presentations. We need support to reach those who spend their days crawling through the forest floor, searching for life.

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Read more

Enghoff, H., Ngute, A. S. K., Mnendendo, H. R., Kivambe, E. E., Mhagawale, W., Malanda, R. C., Mpoto, A., & Marshall, A. R. (2025). A mountain of millipedes XII. The Chelodesmidae of the Udzungwa Mountains, Tanzania (Diplopoda, Polydesmida). European Journal of Taxonomy, 997(1), 210–255. https://doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2025.997.2935

Contact

Louis A. Hansen
Research Consultant
Email: lahansen@sund.ku.dk 

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