Stemmiulidae
Order of millipedes
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Stemmiulida is an order of millipedes consisting of approximately 130 species, reaching up to 50 mm in length. It contains a single family, Stemmiulidae.
| Stemmiulidae | |
|---|---|
| |
| Stemmiulus beroni, a West African species | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Myriapoda |
| Class: | Diplopoda |
| Subclass: | Chilognatha |
| Infraclass: | Helminthomorpha |
| Subterclass: | Eugnatha |
| Superorder: | Nematophora |
| Order: | Stemmiulida Cook, 1895 |
| Family: | Stemmiulidae Pocock, 1894 |
Description
Stemmiulids are small to medium sized millipedes, reaching a maximum length of 50 mm (2 in). The body tapers gradually, and is laterally compressed, so is taller than wide. A dorsal groove is present and runs from head to tail. The eyes consist of two large ocelli on each side of the head, and some members are capable of jumping.[1][2] The living species lack Tömösváry organs, although a fossil species from the Miocene epoch possesses them.[3]
Classification
Stemmiluda contains 6-10 living genera and at least one fossil genus, all in the family Stemmiulidae. Species estimates range from about 120 to 150 species.[4][5] The taxonomy is controversial, with some authors lumping species into as few as three genera.[5] The most liberal classification is presented below.[6]
- Diopsiulus
- Eostemmiulus[7]
- Nethoiulus
- Paurochaeturus
- †Parastemmiulus (Early-Middle Miocene; Mexican amber)[3]
- Plusiochaeturus
- Prostemmiulus
- Scoliogmus
- Stemmatoiulus
- Stemmijulus
- Stemmiulus
