Myriapods

Myriapods

What are myriapods?

Myriapods include centipedes and millipedes as well as some lesser known species such as symphyla. Myriapods have bodies made up of multiple segments, most having pairs of legs. The group contains over 13,000 species, all of which are terrestrial. Centipedes belong to the class Chilopoda and millipedes, Diplopoda.

All myriapods belong to a larger groups of animals called arthropods. This means they have a segmented body covered in an exoskeleton and pairs of jointed limbs.

There are over a million known arthropod species. Arthropods include insects, arachnids, myriapods and crustaceans.

Case study – Centipede

Appearance 

Centipedes are one of the largest terrestrial carnivorous invertebrates with some species reaching 30 centimetres in length. They are characterised by having one pair of legs per body segment. The last pair of legs, often brightly coloured, is used for grasping prey.  

Habitat

Centipedes are found under rocks and rotting logs, in leaf litter and inside old logs. They rapidly slide under the leaf litter if exposed.

Diet and role in the ecosystem

Invertebrates make up the majority of a centipede's diet. Some larger species have been known to eat reptiles, amphibians, small mammals and birds. 

Centipedes are an important part of the food chain and control other invertebrate populations. They are food for other animals such as birds, reptiles and small mammals. 

Centipede anatomy

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