Symphyla
Taxonomy
| Kingdom | Phylum | Subphylum | Class | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Classification | Animalia | Arthropoda | Myriapoda | Symphyla |
Description
Symphylans are small pseudocentipedes in the phylum Arthropoda and the subphylum Myriapoda. Though they resemble centipedes, they are much smaller ranging in size from 2 to 30 millimeters, and are translucent in color [1]. Colored symphyla only occur when they absorb color from food, usually yellow or red [2]. Symphyla have two body regions, a head and a segmented trunk, containing 12 segments with one pair of legs in each on the trunk which allow them to move rapidly throughout the soil, and segmented antennae on the head [1]. Each leg has a stiff spine at the base, promoting movement, and a small sac, which allows for fluid exchange and regulation in the creature [2]. Younger symphylans only have 6 pairs of legs, but these increase to 12 throughout their lifetimes [1]. Symphylans also have a postantennal organ on their head region, similar to collembola, and 3 mouth parts [1]. There are two families of symphylans, being the Scutigerellidae and the Scolopendrellidae, which can only be easily differentiated by the rounded head of the Scutigerellidae opposed to the flatter of the Scolopendrellidae [2]. Both families lack eyes, and are blind [1].