Order Spirostreptida

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

Orthoporus sp. - O. ornatus or O. texicolens? - Orthoporus

Classification

Kingdom Animalia (Animals)

Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)

Subphylum Myriapoda (Myriapods)

Class Diplopoda (Millipedes)

Order Spirostreptida

Explanation of Names

Spirostreptida Brandt 1833

Numbers

12 families worldwide, 3 in North America; ~1000 described spp. worldwide

Size

Up to 28 cm (world's largest millipedes)(1)

Identification

Snake-like body. Eyes usually present. Dorsal groove mainly absent except in some Cambalidae. Paranota absent. 30‒90 segments.

Range

mainly tropical; Africa, S. & E. Asia, Australia, and the Western Hemisphere (US to Argentina)

Remarks

In the southwestern US millipedes of the genus Orthoporus often congregate in large numbers. Three species occur in states adjacent to Mexico. (2)

Works Cited

1.	Centipedes and Millipedes, with an Emphasis on North American Fauna Rowland M. Shelley. 1999. Emporia State University.

2.	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 - 7:17pm
Additional contributions by v belov, biosam
Last updated 4 November, 2023 - 8:49pm

Disclaimer: Dedicated naturalists volunteer their time and resources here to provide this service. We strive to provide accurate information, but we are mostly just amateurs attempting to make sense of a diverse natural world. If you need expert professional advice, contact your local extension office.

Contributors own the copyright to and are solely responsible for contributed content.
Click the contributor's name for licensing and usage information.
Everything else copyright © 2003-2025 Iowa State University, unless otherwise noted.

Bugguide is hosted by:

Printer Friendly Version