Millibia

Millibia is a fictional genus of insects featured in the speculative evolution project "Planetopes," created by artist and writer Dougal Dixon. In this fictional world, Millibia represents a successful lineage of terrestrial arthropods that evolved in response to the planet's unique environmental conditions. These creatures are often depicted as having adaptations for burrowing and feeding on subterranean organic matter.

The evolutionary trajectory of Millibia within Planetopes is presented as a branching path from more generalized insectoid ancestors. Their morphology typically includes a segmented body, a chitinous exoskeleton, and multiple limbs adapted for digging. Sensory organs are often specialized for detecting vibrations and chemical cues in low-light or underground environments. Diet is usually described as detritivorous, consuming decaying plant and animal material, thus playing a crucial role in nutrient cycling within their ecosystem.

Dixon's Planetopes series explores a variety of hypothetical species and ecosystems, and Millibia serves as an example of how terrestrial life might adapt to different planetary scenarios. The genus is often used to illustrate concepts of convergent evolution and niche specialization within a fictional biological framework. While specific species within Millibia may vary in the fictional narrative, the genus as a whole embodies adaptations for a subterranean or semi-terrestrial lifestyle.