Geophilomorph
Guides
Arctogeophilus umbraticus
Arctogeophilus umbraticus is a soil-dwelling centipede in the family Geophilidae, first described from the United States in 1887. As a member of the order Geophilomorpha, it exhibits the elongated, multi-legged body form characteristic of this group. The species has been recorded in North America, though detailed biological studies remain limited. Its specific epithet 'umbraticus' suggests association with shaded or dark habitats.
Arenophilus bipuncticeps
Northern Short-clawed Centipede
Arenophilus bipuncticeps is a species of soil-dwelling centipede in the family Geophilidae, commonly known as the Northern Short-clawed Centipede. It belongs to the order Geophilomorpha, which comprises elongated, multi-legged centipedes adapted to burrowing in soil and leaf litter. The species was described by Wood in 1862 and is native to North America.
Henia
Henia is a genus of soil-dwelling centipedes in the family Dignathodontidae, order Geophilomorpha. Members of this genus are small, pallid-colored geophilomorphs with relatively high leg pair counts. The genus includes species found in European terrestrial habitats, with some taxa occurring in urban and suburban environments. At least one species, Henia vesuviana, is considered nationally scarce in the UK.
Mecistocephalidae
Mecistocephalidae is a monophyletic family of soil-dwelling centipedes constituting the sole family of the monotypic suborder Placodesmata. With approximately 170 species across 11 genera, it ranks as the third most diverse family in Geophilomorpha. The family exhibits a distinctive trait among geophilomorphs: leg-bearing segment numbers are generally fixed within species and identical between sexes, ranging from 41 to 101 pairs. Most species inhabit tropical and subtropical regions, though some extend into temperate zones. The genus Mecistocephalus dominates the family with roughly 130 species, most possessing 49 leg pairs.