Archipolypoda is an extinct group of millipedes known from fossils in Europe and North America and containing the earliest known land animals.[1] The Archipolypoda was erected by Scudder (1882)[2] but redefined in 2005 with the description of several new species from Scotland.[3] Distinguishing characteristics include relatively large eyes with densely packed ocelli (sometimes interpreted as compound eyes), and modified leg pairs on the 8th body ring.[3][4] Some species had prominent spines while others had a flattened appearance.[3][5]
Classification
The Archipolypoda as currently recognized consists of four orders,[6] many with monotypic families and genera, as well as five species of uncertain placement (incertae sedis).[3][7]
^Sierwald, Petra; Bond, Jason E. (2007). "Current Status of the Myriapod Class Diplopoda (Millipedes): Taxonomic Diversity and Phylogeny". Annual Review of Entomology. 52 (1): 401–420. doi:10.1146/annurev.ento.52.111805.090210. PMID17163800.
^Hannibal, Joseph T.; Krzeminski, Wieslaw (2005). "A palaeosomatid millipede (Archipolypoda: palaeosomatida) from the Carboniferous (Namurian A) of Silesia, Poland". Polskie Pismo Entomologiczne. 74 (3): 205–217.