Gonopod-taxonomy
Guides
Spirostreptida
Spirostreptida is an order of large, cylindrical millipedes containing approximately 1000 described species, making it the third largest order of millipedes. Members are characterized by their elongated bodies with 30 to 90 body rings and generally large size, including the longest known millipedes such as the giant African millipedes of genus Archispirostreptus, which may exceed 30 cm. The order is divided into two suborders, Cambalidea and Spirostreptidea, with most species occurring in tropical and subtropical regions. Spirostreptida are primarily soil-dwelling detritivores, though some species inhabit caves.
Spirostreptidae
Flatplate Millipedes
Spirostreptidae is a family of large millipedes in the order Spirostreptida, commonly known as flatplate millipedes. The family comprises approximately 100 genera distributed across tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas, Africa, Madagascar, Seychelles, and the eastern Mediterranean. Members are characterized by their elongated cylindrical bodies and are primarily soil-dwelling detritivores, though some species exhibit arboreal habits. The family includes both synanthropic species that can become urban pests and species with specialized thermoregulatory and social behaviors.