Diplópodes

Diplópodes, commonly known as millipedes, are a class of arthropods belonging to the subphylum Myriapoda. They are characterized by their elongated, segmented bodies and the presence of two pairs of legs per body segment, a distinguishing feature that sets them apart from their centipede relatives. This double set of legs is a result of segments fusing together during embryonic development. Millipedes are primarily detritivores, feeding on decaying organic matter such as leaf litter, wood, and fungi. Their slow-moving nature and specialized diet are adaptations to their terrestrial, often damp, habitats, which include forest floors, soil, and under rocks and logs.

The body of a millipede is typically divided into a head and a trunk. The head bears antennae, simple eyes (ocelli), and mouthparts adapted for chewing. The trunk consists of numerous segments, each bearing the characteristic two pairs of legs, except for the first few segments behind the head and the last few segments at the posterior end. This arrangement of legs facilitates their characteristic slow, rhythmic gait. When threatened, many millipedes employ defensive strategies, such as coiling their bodies into a spiral to protect their vulnerable underside, or releasing noxious chemical secretions from pores along their sides. These secretions can be irritating to predators.

Reproduction in millipedes typically involves internal fertilization, with males transferring sperm to females. Females then lay eggs, usually in soil or decaying organic matter. The young millipedes hatch as miniature adults with only a few segments and three pairs of legs, gradually adding more segments and legs as they molt and grow. The diversity of millipedes is vast, with thousands of described species found on every continent except Antarctica, inhabiting a wide range of terrestrial environments.