Colobognatha
Guides
Brachycybe petasata
Brachycybe petasata is a small millipede in the order Platydesmida, endemic to the southern Appalachian Mountains of the southeastern United States. It inhabits moist forest floor habitats, particularly leaf litter and decaying wood in beech, birch, maple, and hemlock forests. The species is distinguished by its production of four unique monoterpene alkaloids as chemical defenses: gosodesmine, hydrogosodesmine, homogosodesmine, and hydrohomogosodesmine. As a member of the subterclass Colobognatha, it represents one of the few millipede lineages known to synthesize terpenoid alkaloids.
Ischnocybe plicata
Ischnocybe plicata is a species of millipede in the family Andrognathidae, order Platydesmida. It was described by Cook & Loomis in 1928. The species belongs to the suborder Colobognatha, a group characterized by reduced mouthparts and simplified body structures. Like other platydesmidans, it likely inhabits moist forest environments and feeds on decaying organic matter.
Polyzoniida
camphor millipedes
Polyzoniida is an order of millipedes in the subterclass Colobognatha, containing three families (Hirudisomatidae, Polyzoniidae, Siphonotidae) and more than 70 described species. These millipedes are commonly known as camphor millipedes due to the strong camphor-like odor of their defensive secretions. They range from 4–50 mm in length, typically 10–15 mm, with a domed dorsal surface and flat ventral side. Their defensive chemistry has ecological significance: poison frogs in South America and Madagascar have been observed to sequester toxins from these millipedes.
Siphonophorida
Snout Millipedes
Siphonophorida is an order of millipedes in the subclass Colobognatha containing two families: Siphonophoridae and Siphonorhinidae. These millipedes are characterized by super-elongated, worm-like bodies with up to 190 segments and extreme numbers of legs—up to 750 in Illacme plenipes, the leggiest animal known. They lack eyes and exhibit euanamorphosis, adding segments throughout life even after sexual maturity. The order shows a scattered, disjunct distribution across multiple continents including North America, South America, Africa, Madagascar, India, Southeast Asia, and Australia.
Siphonotidae
Siphonotidae is a family of millipedes in the order Polyzoniida, established by Cook in 1895. The family comprises more than 70 species across 13 genera. These millipedes are distinguished by a narrow telson and active, quick movement. Members are distributed across the Southern Hemisphere in South America, South Africa, Madagascar, Southeast Asia, Australia, and New Zealand.