Chilopods or centipedes they are animals belonging to the phylum Arthropod, the phylum of the animal kingdom with the greatest diversity of species. Animals belonging to the group of chilopods, as well as other arthropods, stand out for having a chitinous exoskeleton and hinged appendices. Chilopods are fast-moving animals and carnivores, feeding on different prey, such as small arthropods.
There are about 2500 species of chilopods, which vary in body size and color. Chilopods differ from diplopods by the number of legs per segment as well as by diet. While chilopods have one pair of legs per segment and are carnivores, millipedes have two pairs of legs per segment and are herbivores.
What are Chilopods?
The chilopods or centipedes are arthropods belonging to the clade Myriapoda, popularly known as centipedes or centipedes. All animals belonging to this clade are terrestrial and have a basic body division, formed by a head and an elongated trunk, from which their legs depart.
Read too: Classification of arthropods
Characteristics of the Chilopods
Chilopods are animals belonging to the arthropod phylum, presenting, therefore, typical characteristics of this group, such as the presence of a chitin exoskeleton covering its body and segmented body with articulated appendages.
In addition, we can state that chilopods are triblastic animals (they have three embryonic leaflets), coelom (they have a body cavity, called coelom, covered with tissue derived from the mesoderm), with bilateral symmetry (body can be divided into two equal parts) and protostomes (blastopore that originates the mouth). The digestive system of these animals is complete.
Gas exchanges are carried out by a system tracheathere. Excretion is done by Malpighi tubules. The reproduction of these animals is sexual.
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body of kilopods
The chilopods present the body divided into headça and trunk. From the elongated trunk of this animal, the legs depart, being one pair of legs per segment. You Chilopods have a pair of poisonous antennae and appendages. in the most anterior segment of your body. These appendages are used to inject venom, which assists the animal in capturing prey. Some chilopods are small, others, however, can reach considerable sizes.
the species giant scolopendra, for example, can reach 30 cm in length. Other centipede species, like most North American and European ones, are only 3 cm to 6 cm long. The coloration of the body of the chilopods varies, and species with reddish-brown, green, yellow and even blue coloration can be observed.
Habitat and behavior of chilopods
Chilopods are found in various parts of the planet, occurring so much in tropical and temperate regions, being often found in protected places, such as in the bark of trees and under rocks and logs. In these places, these animals get protection against possible predators and also against desiccation.
Chilopods are animals thatmove quickly and present, for the most part, nightlife habit, going out at night in search of their food and also new hiding places. Most species are predators, and their diet is largely made up of smaller arthropods. However, it is noteworthy that these animals can also feed on other groups, being described chilopods that feed on nematodes, snails, earthworms, amphibians, snakes, birds and even mice.
Read too: General characteristics of arthropods
Differences between chilopods and diplopods
Chilopods and diplopods are animals belonging to the clade Myriapoda. They have an elongated body and are equipped with several legs. We can differentiate chilopods from millipedes by observing, for example, the number of legs per segment. While diplopods have two pairs of legs per segment, chilopods have only one pair. Another difference between them is in their diet. While chilopods are carnivorous animals, millipedes feed on leaves in decomposition and other plant materials.
By Vanessa Sardinha dos Santos
Biology teacher
