Class of Subphylum Uniramia - Chilopoda

Chilopoda have the centipedes. The class contains some 2500 species that have been described so far. They inhabit both of the tropical and temperate regions of the world, living in soil and humus, beneath stones, barks and logs. They comprise somewhat flattened body and generally measure from 3-20 cm in length and are red, brown, Green, blue, yellow or in combination of these colors. A pair of antennae, a pair of mandibles and two pairs of maxillae are the appendages of the head. Covering these types of mouth parts, there is a large pair of maxillipeds (forcipules or the poison claws) that are the appendages of first pair of trunk segments. Each forcipule ends in a terminal pointed fang by which the duct of the poison gland opens. Following the first trunk segment there might be 15 or more trunk segments each having a pair of legs and the last pair of legs has sensory or defensive function. Appendages are generally absent in the last two trunk segments. These animals are generally adapted for running. For this aim the legs are long and are of same length. The centipedes are predaceous and feed mostly on other arthropods. Prey is paralysed along with forcipules. A number of forms, partial digestion of the food may occur before ingestion. The digestive system is a straight tube and the salivary glands open into the buccal region. Gas exchange is performed by the tracheal system and usually there is one pair of spiracles per segment. The spiracles cannot be closed. Many of the chilopods have a single pair of Malpighian tubules.