Zoology: Invertebrates

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millipede

The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed. | 2011 | Copyright

millipede , elongated arthropod having many body segments and pairs of legs. Millipedes, sometimes termed thousand-legged worms, have two pairs of legs on each body segment except the first few and the last. Females in one Californian species, Illacme plenipes, typically have more 650 legs, but are only 1.3 in. (33 mm) long; the leggiest ever found (1926) had 750. The millipede body is nearly circular in cross section. Most temperate region millipedes are rather small and dull in appearance, but a few tropical species are brightly colored, and some reach 1 ft (30 cm) in length.

Millipedes do not have a poisonous bite, but many protect themselves by offensive odors produced by stink glands; some produce highly irritating compounds that can injure the skin or eyes of attackers; and some can roll up into a ball or spiral for protection. They are widely distributed in temperate and warmer regions, living in surface litter, under stones or logs, and in relatively humid surroundings. They feed mostly on decaying vegetation, although some will consume decaying animal food. Some species attack plant roots and cause crop damage.

Centipedes , with which millipedes are often confused, are carnivorous, have a single pair of legs on each segment, and a body that is flat in cross section. Millipedes belong to the phylum Arthropoda , class Diplopoda.

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Diplopoda

A Dictionary of Zoology | 1999 | | Copyright

Diplopoda(millipedes; phylum Arthropoda, subphylum Atelocerata) A class of arthropods in which the body is segmented, each segment of the trunk being formed from two fused somites. Each resulting diplosegment thus bears two pairs of legs. Millipedes do not move rapidly but are able to force their way through soil and similar loose material, and many are able to climb smooth surfaces. Many roll into a ball when threatened. Most millipedes are herbivorous, although some ingest soil from which they digest organic matter and a few species are carnivorous. More than 7500 species have been described. They occur in all continents but are most common in the tropics.

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MICHAEL ALLABY. "Diplopoda." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

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Diplopoda

A Dictionary of Biology | 2004 | Copyright

Diplopoda A class of wormlike terrestrial arthropods belonging to the phylum Uniramia and comprising the millipedes. Diplopods are characterized by a distinct head, bearing a single pair of short antennae, and 20 to over 60 body segments each bearing two pairs of legs. Restricted to damp habitats, millipedes are slow moving and feed on decaying leaves. See also Myriapoda.

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millipede

World Encyclopedia | 2005 | Copyright

millipede Any of numerous species of elongated, invertebrate, arthropod animals with large numbers of legs. Found throughout the world, it has a segmented body, one pair of antennae, two pairs of legs per segment and can be orange, brown or black. All species avoid light and feed on plant tissues. Length: 2–280mm (0.2–11in). Class Diplopoda.

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millipede

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English | 2009 | Copyright

mil·li·pede / ˈmiləˌpēd/ (also millepede) • n. a myriapod invertebrate (class Diplopoda) with an elongated body composed of many segments, most of which bear two pairs of legs.

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millipedes

A Dictionary of Biology | 2004 | Copyright

millipedes See Diplopoda.

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millipedes

A Dictionary of Zoology | 1999 | | Copyright

millipedes See DIPLOPODA.

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millipede

millipede •accede, bead, Bede, bleed, breed, cede, concede, creed, deed, Eid, exceed, feed, Gide, God speed, greed, he'd, heed, impede, interbreed, intercede, Jamshid, knead, lead, mead, Mede, meed, misdeed, mislead, misread, need, plead, proceed, read, rede, reed, Reid, retrocede, screed, secede, seed, she'd, speed, stampede, steed, succeed, supersede, Swede, tweed, weak-kneed, we'd, weed •breastfeed • greenfeed • dripfeed •chickenfeed • spoonfeed • nosebleed •Nibelungenlied • invalid • Ganymede •Runnymede • airspeed • millipede •velocipede • centipede • Siegfried •filigreed • copyread • crossbreed •proofread • flaxseed • hayseed •rapeseed • linseed • pumpkinseed •aniseed • oilseed • birdseed • ragweed •knapweed • seaweed • chickweed •stinkweed • blanket weed • bindweed •pondweed • duckweed • tumbleweed •fireweed • waterweed • silverweed

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"millipede." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

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