millipedes
(Class Diplopoda)
| Overview | Diplopoda (millipedes) is the largest class of myriapods. It occurs on every continent worldwide, including Antarctica. There are about 12,000 described species of millipedes worldwide, and an estimated 80,000 undescribed species. There are 914 described species in North America north of Mexico, and at least 14 species, probably many more, in Minnesota. They are found in almost all habitats in leaf litter, under the bark of rotting logs, under rocks, and on living trees. Most feed on decaying vegetation, some occasionally feed on live plants, a few are carnivorous. |
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| Photo by Luciearl | |||||||
| Identification | Millipedes have long, cylindrical or slightly flattened bodies with 20 to 100 body segments. The first four body segments each have a single pair of legs. The last segment bears the anus and has no legs. The remaining segments are fused together in pairs, and each fused segment has two pairs of legs. The antennae are short, elbowed, and usually have seven segments. Few millipedes are predatory and none are venomous. They do not bite. |
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| Distribution |  |
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| Taxonomy | Subphylum: |
Myriapoda (myriapods) |
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Class: |
Diplopoda (millipedes) |
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| Subordinate Taxa | Subclass Helminthomorpha Subclass Penicillata Subclass Pentazonia |
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| Synonyms | Chilognatha |
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| Common Names |
millipedes |
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| Alfredo Colon | |||
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| Luciearl | |||
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| Diplopoda (Millipede ) SozoAquatics |
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About
Nov 8, 2015 Millipedes are arthropods in the class Diplopoda characterised by having two pairs of jointed legs on most body segments. Each double-legged segment is a result of two single segments fused together as one. Most millipedes have very elongated cylindrical or flattened bodies with more than 20 segments, while pill millipedes are shorter and can roll into a ball. Although the name "millipede" derives from the Latin for "thousand feet", no known species has 1,000; the record of 750 legs belongs to Illacme plenipes. There are approximately 12,000 named species classified into sixteen orders and around 140 families, making Diplopoda the largest class of myriapods, an arthropod group which also includes centipedes and other multi-legged creatures. |
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| Animal Kingdom - Arthropoda - Chilopoda & Diplopoda Neela Bakore Tutorials |
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About
Jul 10, 2019 Chilopoda includes centipede and Diplopoda includes Millipedes. |
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This button not working for you? Simply email us at info@MinnesotaSeasons.com. Be sure to include a location. |
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| Luciearl 5/10/2020 |
Location: Cass County |
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| Alfredo Colon 8/23/2019 |
Location: Woodbury, Minnesota |
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| Alfredo Colon 6/14/2018 |
Location: Woodbury, Minnesota |
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Created: 9/26/2020
Last Updated: