Pauropods

Pauropods are a small class of myriapods comprising about 800 described species. They are tiny, typically less than 2 mm in length, and usually pale white or yellowish. Most pauropods are eyeless and possess a simple head with a single pair of segmented antennae, followed by a short, cylindrical trunk made of numerous segments bearing legs. The number of leg pairs is variable and increases with molts, and development is anamorphic, with new segments and legs added as they grow.

Pauropods inhabit soil, leaf litter, moss, and decaying wood. They favor moist, shaded microhabitats and are found worldwide, though they are most common in temperate and tropical regions. They are detritivores and microbivores, feeding on decaying plant matter, fungal hyphae, and small soil organisms.

In appearance and biology, pauropods are subdued and inconspicuous, which contributes to their being little studied compared with other arthropods. They are terrestrial and generally nocturnal, choosing microhabitats that retain moisture and protect them from drying. Reproduction is sexual, with females laying eggs that hatch into juveniles resembling adults but with fewer leg pairs. Growth involves several molts as segments and legs are added.

Pauropods have a long fossil history dating back to the Paleozoic era, though their delicate bodies and soil-dwelling lifestyle make fossils rare. Today, they are recognized as an ancient, if obscure, component of terrestrial invertebrate communities.