Talk:Desmoxytes

A fact from Desmoxytes appeared on Wikipedia's Main Page in the Did you know column on 20 December 2008, and was viewed approximately 2,028 times (disclaimer) (check views). The text of the entry was as follows:

Did you know... that millipedes in the genus Desmoxytes give off an almond-like smell as they produce hydrogen cyanide to ward off predators?

A record of the entry may be seen at Wikipedia:Recent additions/2008/December.

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Meaning Of Name

My trusty ancient greek lexicon has desmos "fetter" or "binding". xutes I am stumped by. Cheers, Casliber (talk · contribs) 12:47, 19 December 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Hmm. Thank you. Rufous-crowned Sparrow (talk) 13:45, 19 December 2008 (UTC)[reply]

...unless it is some odd misstranscription of scutes?? This is a riddle wrapped in a conundrum wrapped in an enigma....Cheers, Casliber (talk · contribs) 00:24, 20 December 2008 (UTC)[reply]

If it helps, my first guess was that the oxy portion had to do with oxygen; the genus (and order) produce hydrogen cyanide when threatened, and though to my knowledge that doesn't specifically involve oxygen, it may be in that ballpark. Or the author thought it sounded cool. Rufous-crowned Sparrow (talk) 00:31, 20 December 2008 (UTC)[reply]