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Four New Millipede Species Discovered in Smokies

1/22/2026

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Summary

Story summary

The National Park Service announced four new millipede species in the Great Smoky Mountains as part of the All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory (ATBI).
The ATBI has identified over 22,000 species since its inception in 1998.
The park's total species count is estimated between 60,000 and 80,000, meaning up to 70% may still be undiscovered.
The initiative emphasizes understanding biodiversity to manage and protect the ecosystem effectively.

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Story summary

The National Park Service announced four new millipede species in the Great Smoky Mountains as part of the All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory (ATBI).
The ATBI has identified over 22,000 species since its inception in 1998.
The park's total species count is estimated between 60,000 and 80,000, meaning up to 70% may still be undiscovered.
The initiative emphasizes understanding biodiversity to manage and protect the ecosystem effectively.