Acantherpestes
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| Acantherpestes Temporal range: | |
|---|---|
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| Fossil of Acantherpestes major | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Myriapoda |
| Class: | Diplopoda |
| Order: | †Euphoberiida |
| Family: | †Euphoberiidae |
| Genus: | †Acantherpestes Meek and Worthen, 1868 |
| Type species | |
| Euphoberia major (Meek and Worthen, 1868) | |
| Other species | |
| |
Acantherpestes is an extinct genus of euphoberiid millipedes from the Pennsylvanian subperiod of the Carboniferous period. It is distinguished from other euphoberiids by its stout, laterally-directed spikes, which are curved backwards and bear an anterior ridge.[1] It is known from the Mazon Creek fossil beds in Illinois.[2]
Acantherpestes was a relatively large millipede, about 12 inches (30 cm) to 15 inches (38 cm) long.[3] Paleoentomologist J.J. Burke speculated that Acantherpestes could have lived in open habitats adjacent to coal swamp forests,[2] and that it was possibly carnivorous,[1] but later authors have rejected the latter proposal.[4][5]