Centipedes in this genus feature no more than a few spines on the claws of the second maxillae, sternites without fields of pores on the posterior segments, two large pores on the basal element (coxopleuron) of each of the ultimate legs, and ultimate legs without claws or with only rudimentary claws.[3][5] These centipedes range from about 1 cm to about 4 cm in length and have from 29 to 57 pairs of legs.[3][5] The species Schendyla antici is notable for its small size (5 mm to 8 mm in length) and for having as few as 29 leg pairs (29 pairs in males and 31 in females), the minimum recorded in this genus.[5] Other small species with notably few legs in this genus include S. verneri (reaching only 10 mm in length, with 31 pairs),[6] S. walachica (15 mm in length, with as few as 33 pairs in each sex),[5] S. dalmatica (10 mm in length, with 37 pairs in males and 39 in females), S. dentata (12 mm in length, with 39 pairs in females),[7] S. gracillima (10 mm in length, with as few as 35 leg pairs).[8] and S. armata (11 mm in length, with as few as 33 leg pairs).[9][10] The species S. monoeci measures only 17.5 mm in length but can have from 51 to as many as 57 leg pairs, the maximum number found in this genus.[7] Descriptions of the species S. vizzavonae report no more than 51 leg pairs, but this species is notable for its relatively large size, reaching 45 mm in length.[7]
