Chordeumatida

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Chordeumatida: //kɔːr.diː.uˈmæ.tɪ.də//

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Summary

Chordeumatida is a significant and diverse order of millipedes, recognized for their unique morphological features, including their bristle patterns and segment counts. Their ability to produce silk allows them to create shelters for molting and egg-laying, enabling survival in various environments.

Physical Characteristics

Chordeumatidans range in length from 3.5 mm to 42 mm, with most species being 10 mm to 25 mm long. They have a short, tapering body with 26 to 32 segments. Most adults have 30 segments. The first segment (collum) is relatively narrow, giving a neck-like appearance. Dorsal groove present, and some species feature lateral extensions of the exoskeleton called paranota. Most species are drab in color, displaying shades of brown or being unpigmented.

Identification Tips

Presence of six large bristles (setae) on the dorsal surface of each body segment, three on each side. First segment appears neck-like, and the body tapers towards the caudal end, which features spinnerets for silk production.

Habitat

Found in varied habitats, including cold, rocky, mountainous areas of Europe and central Asia, as well as in the tropics of Central America, Southeast Asia, and Oceania.

Distribution

Chordeumatida are distributed worldwide, absent only from Antarctica. They range from northern Canada and Alaska to southern Chile, including Madagascar, but are absent from sub-Saharan Africa.

Life Cycle

Development through molts known as teloanamorphosis, stopping addition of body segments when reaching fixed adult segment numbers. Juveniles have 6 segments, progressing through stages until reaching maturity with a typical of 30 segments.

Reproduction

Many species exhibit sexual dimorphism in segment number, influencing the count of leg pairs in males and females. Species produce adults with varying segments contribute to modifications in the overall body plan of both sexes.

Evolution

Largest order in the superorder Nematophora, adapted for a variety of habitats with diverse morphological forms. Features such as spinnerets for silk production define their evolutionary lineage.

Similar Taxa

• Polydesmida

Misconceptions

Commonly referred to as 'sausage millipedes', they are often confused with other millipede orders due to similar appearances but are distinguishable by their dorsal groove and unique segment characteristics.

Tags

• Chordeumatida
• millipedes
• sausage millipedes
• arthropods
• diplopoda