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 a mostly holarctic and characterized by a claw-shaped ultimate pretarsus, anterior porefields, 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.
Geophilus electricus is a species of soil centipede in the family Geophilidae found across temperate Europe, especially Britain and Ireland. Originally discovered and named Scolopendra electrica in 1758, it was later moved to its own genus, Geophilus. As the first species described in this genus, it is considered by some to be the type species. It is yellowish-orange in color and can grow up to 45 millimeters, with 55 to 75 leg pairs, a distinct carpophagus fossae on the anterior sternites, and a distinctive arrangement of the coxal pores of the last leg pair. Like many geophilomorphans, G. electricus has been known to glow in the dark, most likely as a defensive maneuver.
Geophilus anonyx is a species of soil centipede in the family Geophilidae found in Oregon. It was originally placed in the genus Brachygeophilus based on the lack of sternal pores, a character shared with the type species B. truncorum, however it was later moved to Geophilus.
Diphyonyx conjungens, formerly Geophilus conjungens, is a species of soil centipede in the family Geophilidae that has been recorded in the Balkan Peninsula, Anatolia, the southern Sporades islands, the most eastern parts of Turkish Armenia, the Pontic and Tauric mountains, and Crimea. It grows up to 60 millimeters long and bears 69–81 leg pairs in females, 67–79 in males, as well as 1–2 stout tubercles and 2–4 slender filaments on the mid-part of the labrum, an absence of condyles between the anterior trunk sterna, and a single, isolated pore on each coxo-pleuron.
Diphyonyx garutti, formerly Brachygeophilus sukacevi garutti, is a species of soil centipede in the family Geophilidae found in the most western part of the Caucasus range, north of the Black Sea. According to the original description, this species is characterized by 2–4 slender filaments on the mid-part of the labrum, condyles between the anterior trunk sterna, and a single, isolated pore on each coxo-pleuron. Since the original description based on 23 specimens in 1960, this species has not been recorded again.
Diphyonyx sukacevi, formerly Brachygeophilus sukacevi, is a species of soil centipede in the family Geophilidae found in the most western part of the Caucasus range and the Manych valley north of the Caucasus. This species can reach 45 mm in length and is characterized by its 65–81 leg pairs, 5–7 slender filaments on the mid-part of the labrum, condyles between the anterior trunk sterna, and the lack of a single, isolated pore on each coxo-pleuron.
Geophilus truncorum is a species of soil centipede in the family Geophilidae found across Western Europe, though it reaches as far as Poland, Italy, and Morocco. This centipede is relatively small, growing up to 20mm in length, with a yellow or orangeish brown body and dark yellow or brown head, denser and shorter hair than most Geophilus species, a main plate almost as elongated as in G. flavus (115:100), and distinct carpophagus fossae on the anterior sternites. Males of this species have 35 to 41 pairs of legs; females have 37 to 41.
Geophilus claremontus is a species of soil centipede in the family Geophilidae found in Claremont, California, after which it was named. It was incorrectly placed in the genus Brachygeophilus in 1929 by Attems, most likely based on the lack of sternal pores.
Geophilus erzurumensis is a species of soil centipede in the family Geophilidae found only in Erzurum, Turkey, which it is named after.
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.
Steneurytion is a genus of centipedes in the family Geophilidae. It was first described by Austrian myriapodologist Carl Attems in 1909.
Queenslandophilus is a genus of centipedes in the family Geophilidae. It was described by German myriapodologist Karl Wilhelm Verhoeff in 1925. Centipedes in this genus feature second maxillae with sclerotized ridges on the coxosternite, no sternal pores, and coxopleura many scattered pores; the lateral parts of the labrum almost touch medially, and the ultimate legs most often have claws. These centipedes range from 1 cm to 6 cm in length, have 37 to 75 pairs of legs, and are found in Australia, Japan, and North America. The Japanese species Queenslandophilus monoporus and Q. macropalpus are notable for their small sizes, measuring only 10 mm and 15 mm in length, respectively. The species Q. elongatus, found in California, is notable for its large size, ranging from 40 mm to 63 mm in length. The species Q. macropalpus has only 37 leg pairs, the minimum number recorded in this genus, whereas Q. elongatus has 73 to 75 leg pairs, the maximum number recorded in this genus.
Tasmanophilus is a genus of two species of centipedes, in the family Zelanophilidae. It was described by American biologist Ralph Vary Chamberlin in 1920. Centipedes in this genus are found in Australia and New Zealand.
Tuoba is a genus of 17 species of centipedes, in the family Geophilidae. It was described by American biologist Ralph Vary Chamberlin in 1920.
Zelanophilus is a genus of three species of centipedes, in the family Zelanophilidae. This genus was described by American biologist Ralph Vary Chamberlin in 1920. Centipedes in this genus are found in Australia and New Zealand.
Australoschendyla is a genus of centipedes in the family Schendylidae. It was described by R. E. Jones in 1996. Centipedes in this genus feature claws on the second maxillae fringed by a single row of filaments, short forcipules, subcircular sternal pore-fields, one or two pores on each coxopleuron, and ultimate legs without claws. These centipedes range from 1 cm to 2 cm in length, have 41 to 47 pairs of legs, and are found in west Australia.
Schendyla is a genus of centipedes in the family Schendylidae. It 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. These centipedes range from 1 cm to about 4 cm in length and have from 31 to 57 pairs of legs. The species Schendyla verneri is notable for its small size and for having only 31 leg pairs, the minimum recorded in this genus. Other small species with notably few legs in this genus include S. walachica, S. dalmatica, S. dentata, S. gracillima. and S. armata. The species S. monoeci measures only 17.5 mm in length but can have from 51 to as many as 57 leg pairs, the maximum number found in this genus. Descriptions of the species S. vizzavonae report no more than 51 leg pairs, but this species is notable for its relatively large size, reaching 45 mm in length.
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.
Nesomerium is a monotypic genus of centipedes in the family Geophilidae. It was described in 1953 by American myriapodologist Ralph Vary Chamberlin. The sole species is Nesomerium hawaiiense Chamberlin, 1953. Since the original description of this species based on a single specimen, no other specimens have been referred to this species or this genus, and some authorities express doubts about the validity of these taxa and their placement in the family Geophilidae.
