Crested Millipedes

Callipodida

Classification

Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Myriapoda
Class: Diplopoda
Order: Callipodida

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Callipodida: /kæˌlɪˈpɒdɪdə/

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Images

Summary

Callipodida are a unique order of millipedes known for their crested appearance and significant ecological role in processing organic matter, with a distribution spanning various regions of the world.

Physical Characteristics

Up to 100 mm in length, body round with longitudinal ridges or crests, dorsal groove present, 40-60 segments, eyes usually present, caudal end with spinnerets, no paranota.

Identification Tips

Look for the dorsal groove and longitudinal crests or ridges on the body. Mature males can be identified by the concealed gonopods in the 7th segment.

Habitat

Callipodida are found in diverse habitats across North America, Europe, west Asia, southern China, and Southeast Asia.

Distribution

Occurs in North America, Europe, west Asia, southern China, and Southeast Asia.

Diet

Herbivorous, feeding on decaying plant material.

Life Cycle

The life cycle includes an egg stage, multiple nymphal stages, and adult stages, though specific details on duration and development may vary among species.

Reproduction

Sexually mature males possess modified anterior leg pairs of the 7th body segment as gonopods, which are concealed within a pouch.

Ecosystem Role

Role in decomposition and nutrient cycling by breaking down organic matter.

Collecting Methods

Hand collecting
Pitfall traps

Preservation Methods

Preserved in ethanol
Pinned specimens

Evolution

The most primitive genus, Sinocallipus, is thought to be a sister group to all other callipodans. An extinct suborder, Burmanopetalidea, was identified from a 99 million-year-old specimen.

Similar Taxa

Other orders within Myriapoda
More broadly, related to other millipede orders like Julida.

Misconceptions

Often confused with centipedes; however, they are distinctly different as millipedes possess two pairs of legs per segment compared to the single pair in centipedes.