Myriapoda is a subphylum of arthropods containing millipedes, centipedes
and others.
Their main characteristic is that the body is found divided into numerous
segments (corresponding to the head, thorax and abdomen), and that possess
numerous peers of legs.
They have a single pair of antennae and simple eyes.
Myriapods are most abundant in moist forests,
where they play an important role in breaking down decaying plant material.
Myriapods include about 13,000 living species. All of them are terrestrial.
The majority are herbivorous, with the exception
of centipedes, which are nocturnal predators.
Centipedes have a single pair of legs on each body segment and they have a pair of venomous claws (called maxillipedes) that are used for both defense and for capturing and paralyzing prey.
Precaution, do not cath centipedes! |
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