Kingdom – Animalia
Phylum – Arthropoda
Subdivision – Myriapoda
Orders – Chilopoda, Diplopoda, Pauropoda, Symphyla
Myriapods:
- have segments attached end to end, not branching (uniramous).
- typically have more than 8 legs.
- individuals add body segments and legs with each molt until they reach adult size.
- are most often found in moist habitats, but there are species in deserts, grasslands and other habitats.
Basic Myriapod Taxonomy
Chilopoda: Centipedes
- 3,300 species
- carnivores – eat other animals
- one pair of legs per body segment
- venomous
- nocturnal
Diplopoda: Millipedes
- 8000 species
- detritivores – eat dead or decaying material
- pairs of body segments fused – this makes it appear that each segment has two pairs of legs
