Platydesmidae | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Subphylum: | Myriapoda |
Class: | Diplopoda |
Order: | Platydesmida |
Family: | Platydesmidae |
Platydesmidae is a family of millipede in the order Platydesmida. There are at least 2 genera and more than 30 described species in Platydesmidae. [1] [2] [3]
These two genera belong to the family Platydesmidae:
Millipedes are a group of arthropods that are characterised by having two pairs of jointed legs on most body segments; they are known scientifically as the class Diplopoda, the name derived from this feature. Each double-legged segment is a result of two single segments fused together. Most millipedes have very elongated cylindrical or flattened bodies with more than 20 segments, while pill millipedes are shorter and can roll into a tight ball. Although the name "millipede" derives from the Latin for "thousand feet", no species was known to have 1,000 or more until the discovery of Eumillipes persephone, which can have over 1,300 legs. There are approximately 12,000 named species classified into 16 orders and around 140 families, making Diplopoda the largest class of myriapods, an arthropod group which also includes centipedes and other multi-legged creatures.
Glomerida is an order of pill-millipedes found primarily in the Northern Hemisphere. They superficially resemble pill-bugs or woodlice, and can enroll into a protective ball. They have twelve body segments, 17 to 19 pairs of legs, and males have enlarged rear legs involved in mating. The order includes about 30 genera and at least 280 species, including Glomeris marginata, the common European pill-millipede. The order contains members in Europe, South-east Asia and the Americas from California to Guatemala. Although historically considered closely related with the similar sphaerotheriidans that also enroll, some DNA evidence suggest they may be more closely related to glomeridesmidans, a poorly known order that does not enroll.
Tömösváry organs, also known as temporal organs or postantennal organs are specialized paired sensory organs found in certain groups of myriapods and hexapods, located on the head near the base of the antennae. They are notably absent among Polydesmid, the largest order of Diplopoda. Various functions for the Tömösváry organs have been proposed, including sensing vibration, humidity, or light, although evidence for their true function is conflicting, and in groups such as millipedes its true function is unknown. The organs were first described by Hungarian biologist Ödön Tömösváry in 1883.
Archipolypoda is an extinct group of millipedes known from fossils in Europe and North America and containing the earliest known land animals. The Archipolypoda was erected by Scudder (1882) but redefined in 2005 with the description of several new species from Scotland. Distinguishing characteristics include relatively large eyes with densely packed ocelli, and modified leg pairs on the 8th body ring. Some species had prominent spines while others had a flattened appearance.
Chordeumatida is a large order of millipedes containing some 1200 species with a nearly worldwide distribution. Also known as "sausage millipedes," they possess around 30 body segments behind the head as adults and reach about 25 mm (0.98 in) in length.
Siphoniulus is a poorly known genus of millipede containing only two living species: S. alba from Indonesia, and S. neotropicus from Mexico and Guatemala. An additional two fossil species are known from Cretaceous amber. Siphoniulus species are the only members of the family Siphoniulidae and order Siphoniulida, making Siphoniulida the smallest millipede order. Few specimens are known, and their classification is contentious, although most recent studies place them as basal members of the Helminthomorpha.
Siphonorhinidae is a family of millipede in the order Siphonophorida. There are at least 4 genera and about 12 described species in Siphonorhinidae.
Siphonophoridae is a family of millipede in the order Siphonophorida. There are about 12 genera and more than 110 described species in Siphonophoridae.
Stemmiulida is an order of millipedes consisting of approximately 130 species, reaching up to 50 mm in length. It contains a single family, Stemmiulidae.
Andrognathidae is a family of millipede in the order Platydesmida. There are about 17 genera and more than 30 described species in Andrognathidae.
Schizopetalidae is a family of crested millipedes in the order Callipodida. There are more than 10 genera in Schizopetalidae.
Brachycybe lecontii is a species of millipede in the family Andrognathidae. It is found in North America.
Cylindroiulus caeruleocinctus is a species of millipede in the family Julidae.
Pachydesmini is a tribe of flat-backed millipedes in the family Xystodesmidae. There are at least 3 genera and more than 20 described species in Pachydesmini.
Chonaphini is a tribe of flat-backed millipedes in the family Xystodesmidae. There are about 6 genera and 19 described species in Chonaphini.
Xystocheirini is a tribe of flat-backed millipedes in the family Xystodesmidae. There are about 5 genera and more than 40 described species in Xystocheirini.
Tynommatidae is a family of millipedes in the order Callipodida. There are about 12 genera and more than 30 described species in Tynommatidae, found mainly in western North America.
Rhachodesmidae is a family of flat-backed millipedes in the order Polydesmida. There are more than 20 genera and at least 80 described species in Rhachodesmidae.
Spirobolellidae is a family of millipedes in the order Spirobolida. There are about 11 genera and more than 100 described species in Spirobolellidae.
Metopidiotrichidae is a family of millipedes in the order Chordeumatida. These millipedes range from 4 mm to 17 mm in length. Adult millipedes in this family have 32 segments, not the 30 segments usually found in this order. Adult males in this family often feature a reduced or vestigial leg pair 10 as part of the gonopod complex, in addition to the two leg pairs typically modified into gonopods in this order. There are about 9 genera and at least 70 described species in Metopidiotrichidae.