The National Science Foundation spent $82,525 on a one-year
grant to study on the self-defense of bioluminescent millipedes.
“Animals use myriad strategies to avoid predation -- camouflage, spines, and toxins are among a few. Animals that are toxic, inedible, or otherwise noxious often advertise this by a warning signal, for example the yellow and black stripes of a yellowjacket or the rattle of a snake,” the award abstract said.
“Bioluminescent millipedes, known only from California, are defended with cyanide and their green-blue glow is hypothesized to be a nocturnal warning signal,” the award abstract added.
- See more at:
http://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/melanie-hunter/nsf-spends-82525-study-self-defense-millipedes#sthash.KaImNEa3.dpuf