Microdecemplex
Temporal range: Middle Devonian
Life restoration
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Arthropoda
Subphylum:
Myriapoda
Class:
Diplopoda
Subclass:
†Arthropleuridea
Order:
†Microdecemplicida

Wilson & Shear, 2000
Family:
†Microdecemplicidae

Wilson & Shear, 2000
Genus:
† Microdecemplex
Binomial name
Microdecemplex rolfei
Wilson & Shear, 2000

Microdecemplex rolfei is the only known species of the extinct, small-bodied millipede order Microdecemplicida, a member of the extinct subclass Arthropleuridea. Fossils, measuring less than 5 mm in length, are known from the Panther Mountain Formation of New York State, dating to the Middle Devonian. This species apparently lacks antennae and shows sexual dimorphism in its hind legs, which may be similar in function to the telopods of male living pill-millipedes that are used to grasp females during mating.[1][2]

References

  1. ^ Wilson, Heather M.; Shear, William A. (2000). "Microdecemplicida, a new order of minute arthropleurideans (Arthropoda: Myriapoda) from the Devonian of New York State, U.S.A.". Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh: Earth Sciences. 90 (4): 351–375. doi:10.1017/S0263593300002674.
  2. ^ Shear, William A.; Edgecombe, Gregory D. (2010). "The geological record and phylogeny of the Myriapoda". Arthropod Structure & Development. 39 (2–3): 174–190. doi:10.1016/j.asd.2009.11.002. PMID 19944188.


Categories