What are Myriapods?
Myriapods are a group of arthropods which includes millipedes, centipedes, pauropods, and symphylans. Although each of these sub-groups is believed to be monophyletic (descending from a common ancestor), it is less certain whether the entire group is monophyletic. One specimen of a rare millipede found in central California, Illacme plenipes, had 750 legs, the most out of any recorded animal, but most myriapods have between 20 and 400 legs. The signature characteristic of myriapods are their numerous legs, but many of them have other common characteristics, such as repugnatorial glands, which produce an irritant liquid used to discourage predators. This liquid often contains benzoquinones, which can blister human skin. Myriapods are remarkable for including the oldest known land animal, Pneumodesmus newmani, a millipede which lived in Scotland 428 million years ago, during the Middle Silurian. It was known to be a land animal due to the presence of spiracles, small holes used for breat
Myriapods are a group of arthropods which includes millipedes, centipedes, pauropods, and symphylans. Although each of these sub-groups is believed to be monophyletic (descending from a common ancestor), it is less certain whether the entire group is monophyletic. One specimen of a rare millipede found in central California, Illacme plenipes, had 750 legs, the most out of any recorded animal, but most myriapods have between 20 and 400 legs.
