| Ballophilus | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Ballophilus hounselli | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Myriapoda |
| Class: | Chilopoda |
| Order: | Geophilomorpha |
| Family: | Ballophilidae |
| Genus: | Ballophilus Cook, 1896 |
Ballophilus is the largest genus of centipedes in the clade Ballophilidae. [1] Species in this genus are found in tropical and subtropical regions, mainly in Africa and southeast Asia. [2]
There are about 40 species, including: [3]
Centipedes in this genus feature distinctly club-like antennae and circumscribed sternal pore-fields that are subcircular or transversally elliptical, range from about 1 cm to about 7 cm in length, and have 37 to 91 pairs of legs. [2] The Asian species Ballophilus pallidus measures only 11 mm in length and can have as few as 37 leg pairs (37 or 39 in males, 41 in females), the minimum number found in this genus. [4] Both B. fijiensis and B. giganteus can have as many as 91 leg pairs, the maximum number found in this genus, but B. giganteus is also notable for its large size, reaching 75 mm in length. [5] [6]
Pachymerium is a genus of centipedes in the family Geophilidae found mainly in the west Palearctic region and in south Africa. Centipedes in this genus feature an elongate head, scattered coxal pores, and sternal pores in a pair of anterior groups and a posterior transverse band; the forcipular coxosternite is broad, and the ultimate article of the forcipule has a prominent basal denticle.
Mecistocephalidae is a monophyletic family of centipedes in the order Geophilomorpha. It is the only family in the suborder Placodesmata. Most species in this family live in tropical or subtropical regions, but some occur in temperate regions. This family is the third most diverse in the order Geophiliomorpha, with about 170 species, including about 130 species in the genus Mecistocephalus.
Geophilus is a large, heterogeneous genus of soil centipedes in the family Geophilidae largely considered to be synonymous with Brachygeophilus. This genus is mostly Holarctic and characterized by a claw-shaped ultimate pretarsus, complete or nearly complete coxo-pleural sutures at the prosternum, and incomplete chitin-lines. Centipedes in this genus feature slightly elongate heads and labral intermediate parts with tubercles, the forcipules are usually poorly elongate with a single small tubercle at the base of each tarsungulum, and the anterior trunk metasternites usually have an anterior medial socket and a posterior transversally elongate pore-field. The generic name first appeared in Brewster's Edinburgh Encyclopaedia in 1814 as Geophilus electricus.
Schendylidae is a family of centipedes in the order Geophilomorpha found in the Americas, the Palearctic region, Africa, Madagascar, Australia, and southeast Asia, and also on some Pacific islands.
Strigamia is a genus of soil centipedes in the family Linotaeniidae found in temperate parts of the Holarctic region. Members of this family can be identified by their anteriorly tapering bodies, the extra claw on the forcipules, scattered coxal pores, and the distinctly swollen ultimate legs of the males. The generic name is from Latin striga, "strip," referring to its strip of bristles.
Tygarrup is a genus of centipedes in the family Mecistocephalidae, found mainly in southeast Asia and from the Seychelles to Hawaii. Although species in this genus can have either 43 or 45 leg-bearing segments, most of these species have 45 leg pairs. An undescribed Tygarrup species found in the Andaman Islands has 43 leg pairs. Centipedes in this genus are sometimes melanised in patches, and sternal glands are present the males of most species. These centipedes range from 2 cm to 6 cm in length. Tygarrup javanicus is one of the smallest of the mecistocephalid species and has become an invasive in greenhouses in Europe.
Ballophilidae is a monophyletic group of centipedes belonging to the order Geophilomorpha and superfamily Himantarioidea. Authorities now dismiss this group as a family, citing phylogenetic analysis, and instead refer to this clade as Ballophilinae, a possible subfamily within the family Schendylidae. Centipedes in this clade differ from others in the family Schendylidae by having bodies tapered toward the anterior tip, short heads, slender forcipules that are well apart, and an undivided lamina for the female gonopods. Centipedes in this clade are found in most tropical regions.
Ballophilus fijiensis is a species of centipede in the genus Ballophilus. It is found in Fiji. The original description of this species is based on specimens ranging up to 52 mm in length with 81 to 91 pairs of legs.
Ballophilus giganteus is a species of centipede in the genus Ballophilus. It is found in Ivory Coast. This species is dark brown. The original description of this species is based on seven males specimens ranging from 51 mm to 67 mm in length with 75 to 87 pairs of legs and four female specimens ranging from 63 mm to 75 mm in length with 79 to 91 leg pairs.
Ballophilus granulosus is a species of centipede in the genus Ballophilus. It has two subspecies: Ballophilus granulosus granulosus and Ballophilus granulosus holotrichus. The original description of B. g. granulosus is based on male specimens measuring 45 mm in length with 77 to 83 pairs of legs. Specimens of B. g. holotrichus have 65 to 85 pairs of legs and differ from B. g. granulosus in having bristles on all tergites rather than on only some.
Diphyonyx is a genus of soil centipedes in the family Geophilidae found in the Palearctic region. They are notable for the unusually shaped claws on the anterior part of the trunk, which are swollen and have anterior spurs enlarged into elongate projections. Centipedes in this genus have a forcipular coxosternite with a pair of anterior tubercles and feature no sternal pores. Most coxal organs open into a single pit on each coxopleuron. These centipedes range from 4 cm to 6 cm in length and have 65 to 81 pairs of legs.
Sepedonophilus is a genus of three species of centipedes in the family Geophilidae. This genus is endemic to Australia, and was first described by Austrian myriapodologist Carl Attems in 1909. Centipedes in this genus feature scattered coxal pores and have no sternal pores; the lateral parts of the labrum almost touch medially, and the intermediate part is inconspicuous; the coxosternite of the second maxillae have peculiar anterior projections. These centipedes range from about 2 cm to 5 cm in length and have 49 to 79 pairs of legs. The smallest species in this genus, Sepedonophilus hodites, measures only 18 mm in length and has only 49 leg pairs, the minimum number recorded in this genus, whereas the largest species, S. perforatus, measures 50 mm in length and has 79 leg pairs, the maximum number recorded in this genus.
Pachymerinus is a genus of centipedes in the family Geophilidae. It was described by Italian entomologist Filippo Silvestri in 1905. Centipedes in this genus feature elongate heads, elongate forcipules with denticles, scattered coxal pores, and few sternal pores, if any; the intermediate part of the labrum is narrow and has no denticles. These centipedes range from about 3 cm to 8 cm in length, have 47 to 81 pairs of legs, and are found in Chile and southeast Australia. The Australian species Pachymerinus froggatti is notable for its relatively small size, measuring only 28 mm in length. The larger Chilean species P. porteri measures 46 mm in length but can have as few as 47 leg pairs, the minimum number recorded in this genus. The Chilean species P. pluripes measures only 32 mm in length but can have 79 or 81 leg pairs, the maximum number recorded in this genus. The Chilean species P. canaliculatus is known from a female specimen with 75 leg pairs and is notable for its large size, measuring 75 mm in length.
Ribautia is a genus of centipedes in the family Geophilidae. This genus was described by French myriapodologist Henry Wilfred Brolemann in 1909. Centipedes in this genus are found in South America, tropical Africa, Madagascar, the Arabian peninsula, Australia, New Zealand, and Melanesia.
Mecistocephalus is a genus of centipedes in the family Mecistocephalidae. It was described by British entomologist George Newport in 1843.
Schendyla is a genus of centipedes in the family Schendylidae found in the west Palearctic region. This genus was described by Danish entomologists Vilhelm Bergsøe and Frederik Vilhelm August Meinert in 1866. Centipedes in this genus feature only a few spines on the claws of the second maxillae, two pores on each coxopleuron, and ultimate legs without claws.
Maoriella is a genus of centipedes in the family Geophilidae. It was described by Austrian myriapodologist Carl Attems in 1903. Species in this genus are found in New Zealand, Australia, and Tahiti.
Pectiniunguis is a genus of centipedes in the family Schendylidae. It was described by American naturalist Charles Harvey Bollman in 1889. Centipedes in this genus feature second maxillae with claws fringed by two rows of filaments, transversally elliptical sternal pore-fields on almost all trunk segments, two pores on each coxopleuron, and ultimate legs without claws. These centipedes range from 16 mm to 67 mm in length, have 35 to 73 pairs of legs, and are found in the tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas, Fiji, and west Africa. The African species Pectiniunguis minutus is notable not only for being the smallest in this genus but also for having as few as 35 leg pairs, the minimum number in this genus. The Brazilian species P. ducalis is notable not only for being the largest in this genus but also for having as many as 73 leg pairs, the maximum number in this genus.
Ityphilus microcephalus is a species of centipede in the Ballophilidae family. It was described in 1909 by French myriapodologist Henry Wilfred Brolemann. This species is yellow, can reach 47 mm in length, and can have as few as 67 pairs of legs or as many as 79 leg pairs.
Marsikomerus is a genus of centipedes in the family Schendylidae. It was described by Austrian myriapodologist Carl Attems in 1938. Species in this genus are found in Mexico and in the United States.
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