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. The generic name first appeared in Brewster's Edinburgh Encyclopaedia in 1814 as Geophilus electricus. This genus has a Holarctic distribution.
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.
Gonibregmatidae is a family of soil centipedes belonging to the superfamily Geophiloidea. In 2014, a phylogenetic analysis based on morphological and molecular data found this family to be paraphyletic with respect to the families Neogeophilidae and Eriphantidae, which authorities now deem to be junior synonyms for Gonibregmatidae. This family now includes more than 20 species in at least 10 genera.
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. This genus was first described by Austrian myriapodologist Carl Attems in 1909. These centipedes are found in Australia, New Zealand, and Hawaii.
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.
Tasmanophilus is a genus 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. This genus contains only two species.
Tuoba is a genus of 17 species of centipedes, in the family Geophilidae. This genus was described by American biologist Ralph Vary Chamberlin in 1920. These centipedes are found in coastal regions and islands in the Mediterranean and in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian oceans.
Mecistocephalus is the largest genus of centipedes in the family Mecistocephalidae, with about 140 species. This genus is among the most diverse and widespread of all the genera in the order Geophilomorpha. The British entomologist George Newport first proposed this genus in 1843 to contain a group of centipedes marked by an unusual elongation of the head.
Schendyla is a genus of soil centipedes in the family Schendylidae. These centipedes are found in the west Palearctic region. This genus was described by Danish entomologists Vilhelm Bergsøe and Frederik Vilhelm August Meinert in 1866. This genus now includes more than 20 species.
Tasmanophilus spenceri is a species of centipede in the family Zelanophilidae. This centipede is found only in New Zealand and has only 39 pairs of legs, the minimum number recorded in the family Zelanophilidae. This species reaches only 23 mm in length and is the smallest centipede in this family.
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.
Gonibregmatus plurimipes is a species of soil centipede in the Gonibregmatidae family. This centipede is found in Fiji. This species is notable for featuring 191 pairs of legs, which is the maximum number found in any centipede.
Pectiniunguis is a genus of centipedes in the family Schendylidae. This genus 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.
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.
Eucratonyx is a genus of centipedes in the family Gonibregmatidae. This genus was described in 1898 by British zoologist Reginald Innes Pocock. Centipedes in this genus are found from the Andaman Islands to New Britain.
Schendylops is the largest genus of centipedes in the family Schendylidae, containing more than 60 species. This genus was first proposed by the American biologist Orator F. Cook in 1899 for the type species originally named Schendyla grandidieri in 1897. Most species in this genus are found in the Neotropical region, but a dozen species are found in Africa and Madagascar. These species live in diverse habitats, ranging from sea level to high altitudes, e.g., at 4,500 m (14,800 ft) above sea level in the Andes mountains.
Geophilus oligopus is a species of soil centipede in the family Geophilidae. This centipede is found in several European countries, including Austria, the Czech Republic, Italy, Croatia, Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovenia, and Romania. Although this centipede has been described as having an Alpine-Dinaric distribution, this species has also been found in the Carpathian mountains and may be more widespread than previously thought.
Mecistocephalus angusticeps is species of soil centipede in the family Mecistocephalidae. This centipede is found in Kenya and Seychelles. This species features only 47 pairs of legs rather than the 49 leg pairs usually observed in the genus Mecistocephalus.
