Geophilomorpha
Guides
Arctogeophilus
Arctogeophilus is a genus of soil centipedes in the family Geophilidae, comprising fourteen species distributed across subarctic and temperate regions of Asia, North America, and western Europe. First described as a subgenus by Carl Attems in 1909 and elevated to genus rank by Henri Ribaut in 1910, its name references the northern distribution toward Ursa Major. Species range from 11 mm to 50 mm in length and possess 35 to 69 pairs of legs.
centipedesoil-dwellingsubarctictemperateGeophilidaeGeophilomorphaChilopodaMyriapodaArthropodanorthern-distributionelongate-headforcipule-denticlesvariable-leg-number14-speciesAttems-1909Ribaut-1910AsiaNorth-AmericaEuropephylogenetic-sister-to-AlloschizotaeniaPachymeriumSchendyloidescarpophagus-absentultimate-legs-longer-than-penultimatescattered-pores-on-ultimate-legs11-50-mm-length35-69-leg-pairsA.-sachalinus-smallA.-wolfi-smallA.-melanonotus-largeA.-macrocephalus-fewest-legsA.-atopus-most-legsA.-glacialis-phylogenetic-representativeArctogeophilus-atopusArctogeophilus-attemsiArctogeophilus-corvallisArctogeophilus-fulvusArctogeophilus-glacialisArctogeophilus-inopinatusArctogeophilus-insularisArctogeophilus-macrocephalusArctogeophilus-melanonotusArctogeophilus-quadratusArctogeophilus-sachalinusArctogeophilus-shelfordiArctogeophilus-umbraticusArctogeophilus-wolfiDicellophilus limatus
Dicellophilus limatus is a soil centipede and the type species of the genus Dicellophilus. It is distinguished by possessing 45 pairs of legs, the highest number in its genus, and can exceed 60 mm in length. The species is endemic to coastal California and is one of only four Mecistocephalidae species known from North America. Originally described as Mecistocephalus limatus in 1862, it was later transferred to the new genus Dicellophilus in 1896.
Garriscaphus amplus
Garriscaphus amplus is a species of soil centipede in the family Himantariidae, described by Chamberlin in 1941. As a member of the order Geophilomorpha, it is an elongate, multi-legged myriapod adapted for burrowing through soil and leaf litter. The genus Garriscaphus is poorly known, and this species has received limited study. Available records indicate it occurs in the United States, though specific ecological details remain largely undocumented.
Geophilus flavus
Boreal Yellow-headed Soil Centipede
Geophilus flavus is a soil centipede in the family Geophilidae, commonly found in terrestrial habitats including seashore locations across Europe. As a member of the Geophilomorpha, it belongs to a group of elongate, multi-legged centipedes adapted for burrowing in soil and leaf litter. The species is distinguished by its yellowish head and preference for moist coastal environments.
Linotaeniidae
Linotaeniidae is a family of soil centipedes in the order Geophilomorpha. Species in this family are characterized by a body that tapers toward the anterior tip, mandibles with a single pectinate lamella, and a short forcipular segment with a remarkably wide tergite. The number of leg pairs varies widely within and among species, ranging from 31 to 83 pairs. The family includes the genera Agathothus, Chileana, Diplochora, and Strigamia.
Nyctunguis
Nyctunguis is a genus of soil-dwelling centipedes in the family Schendylidae, order Geophilomorpha. These elongate, multi-legged arthropods inhabit subterranean environments. The genus was established by Chamberlin in 1914 and contains multiple described species.
Schendyla
Schendyla is a genus of soil-dwelling centipedes in the family Schendylidae, first described in 1866 by Danish entomologists Vilhelm Bergsøe and Frederik Vilhelm August Meinert. The genus comprises more than 20 species distributed across the western Palearctic region. These centipedes are small to medium-sized, ranging from approximately 1 cm to 4.5 cm in length, with leg pair counts varying dramatically between species—from 29 to 57 pairs. The genus exhibits notable morphological diversity in body size and leg number, with some species like S. antici being exceptionally small (5–8 mm) with minimal leg pairs, while others like S. vizzavonae reach 45 mm.
Taiyuna
Taiyuna is a genus of soil-dwelling centipedes in the family Geophilidae, established by Chamberlin in 1912. Members are elongate, multi-legged arthropods adapted to burrowing in soil and leaf litter. The genus belongs to the order Geophilomorpha, which contains the most species-rich group of centipedes. Observations are relatively sparse, with limited published natural history information available.
Zygona
Zygona is a genus of soil-dwelling centipedes in the family Geophilidae, first described by Chamberlin in 1960. Members of this genus are elongate, multi-legged arthropods characteristic of the order Geophilomorpha. The genus is poorly documented in scientific literature, with minimal published information on its species composition or biology. A single observation exists on iNaturalist, suggesting it is rarely encountered or underreported.
Zygona duplex
Zygona duplex is a species of soil-dwelling centipede in the family Geophilidae, described by Chamberlin in 1960. It belongs to the order Geophilomorpha, which comprises the most diverse group of centipedes characterized by their elongated, worm-like bodies with numerous leg pairs. The species is known from the United States.