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Class Symphyla - Symphylans

Symphylan Symphylan IMG_0586 Symphylan Symphylans Class Symphyla? Tiny Centipede like arthropod Symphylan – genus Scutigerella? white symphylan under stone
Classification
Kingdom Animalia (Animals)
Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)
Subphylum Myriapoda (Myriapods)
Class Symphyla (Symphylans)
Other Common Names
Dwarf Millipedes, Garden Centipedes, Garden Symphylans, Glasshouse Symphylans, Symphylids/Symphilids
Explanation of Names
Symphyla Ryder 1880
From Greek sym("together") and phyla ("tribe"): Ryder believed the group combines traits of myriapods and insects(1)
Numbers
2 families total, with 30 spp. in ~7 genera in our area and ~200 spp. in 10 genera worldwide
Size
2-10 mm
Identification
White, slender, prominent antennae with many segments; numerous legs (12 pair in mature adults). Well developed head. Newly hatched nymphs have only six pairs, but the total number of legs grows with each molt.
Two families worldwide, both in occur in our area. Scutigerellidae can be distinguished by relatively large dorsal tergites (aka scuta) with posterior margins rounded or gently lobed, and relatively larger body length (usually >4 mm) while the tergites of Scolopendrellidae are reduced in size or sharply pointed posteriorly, and individuals are usually <4 mm.(1)
Keys to genera in (2)
Range
All continents except Antarctica
Habitat
Soil, especially the upper 12-15 cm
Season
All stages can be found throughout the year, but most eggs and early nymphs are found in spring and fall
Food
Mainly roots or fungi; many are probably omnivorous
Remarks
May damage plants, especially in greenhouses
Internet References
Fact sheet (Berry 1998)
Fact sheet UC IPM
Works Cited
1.Soil Biology Guide
Daniel Dindal, ed. 1990. Wiley-Interscience.
2.Keys to the genera of the Symphyla
C. A. Edwards. 1959. Journal of the Linnean Society of London, Zoology, 44(296), 164–169.