Order Spirobolida

Classification · Explanation of Names · Numbers · Size · Identification · Remarks · Works Cited

Narceus americanus - Narceus americanus-annularis-complex

narceus americanus-annularis - Narceus americanus-annularis-complex

Narceus americanus complex - Narceus americanus-annularis-complex

Classification

Kingdom Animalia (Animals)

Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)

Subphylum Myriapoda (Myriapods)

Class Diplopoda (Millipedes)

Order Spirobolida

Explanation of Names

Spirobolida Cook in Cook & Collins 1895

Numbers

12 families worldwide, 6 in NA (2 introduced) • ~35 spp. in our area(1)

Size

Up to 200 mm (extralimital species)

Identification

Eyes usually present. Dorsal groove and paranota absent. >30 segments. One pair of legs on the fifth ring vs 2 in other millipedes. Gonopods hidden in a pouch.(1)

Vertical suture on lower front of head extending upwards from labrum (see below) distinguishes Spirobolida from Julida and Spirostrepsida.

also this photo.

Remarks

Members of this order primarily secrete benzoquinones (Shear 2015)

Works Cited

1.	Spiders and Their Kin: A Golden Guide from St. Martin's Press Herbert W. Levi, Lorna R. Levi, Nicholas Strekalovsky. 2001. St. Martin's Press.

Contributed by Lynette Elliott on 16 April, 2005 - 7:11pm
Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset, v belov, biosam, Arturo Santos
Last updated 6 November, 2023 - 8:44pm

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