Archipolypoda is an extinct group of millipedes known from fossils in Europe and North America and containing the earliest known land animals. The Archipolypoda was erected by Scudder (1882) but redefined in 2005 with the description of several new species from Scotland. Distinguishing characteristics include relatively large eyes with densely packed ocelli (sometimes interpreted as compound eyes), and modified leg pairs on the 8th body ring. Some species had prominent spines while others had a flattened appearance.
Classification The Archipolypoda as currently recognized consists of four orders, many with monotypic families and genera, as well as five species of uncertain placement (incertae sedis).
Archidesmida Wilson & Anderson, 2004 Archidesmidae Scudder, 1885 Archidesmus macnicoli Peach, 1882. Lower Devonian, Scotland Zanclodesmidae Wilson, Daeschler & Desbiens, 2005 Zanclodesmus willetti Wilson, Daeschler & Desbiens, 2005. Upper Devonian, Quebec, Canada Orsadesmus rubecollus Wilson, Daeschler & Desbiens, 2005. Upper Devonian, Pennsylvania, USA Cowiedesmida Wilson & Anderson, 2004 Cowiedesmidae Wilson & Anderson, 2004 Cowiedesmus eroticopodus Wilson & Anderson, 2004. Mid Silurian or Lower Devonian, Scotland. Euphoberiida Hoffman, 1969 Euphoberiidae Scudder, 1882. Upper Carboniferous of Europe and North America. Acantherpestes Meek & Worthen, 1868 Euphoberia Meek & Worthen, 1868 Myriacantherpestes Burke, 1979 Palaeosomatida Hannibal & Krzeminski, 2005. Carboniferous, UK and Poland Palaeosomatidae Hannibal & Krzeminski, 2005 Palaeosoma
Order incertae sedis Albadesmus almondi Wilson & Anderson, 2004 Mid Silurian or Lower Devonian, Scotland Anaxeodesmus diambonotus Wilson, 2005 Upper Carboniferous, UK. Anthracodesmus macconochiei, Peach, 1899 Palaeodesmus tuberculata (Brade-Birks, 1923) (=Kampecaris tuberculata) Lower Devonian, Scotland. Pneumodesmus newmani Wilson & Anderson, 2004 Mid Silurian or Lower Devonian, Scotland
See also
Arthropleuridea- Another group of extinct millipedes Euthycarcinoidea, a group of enigmatic arthropods that may be ancestral to myriapods Colonization of land, major evolutionary stages leading to terrestrial organisms Xanthomyria, a Cambrian fossil which closely resembles archipolypodans
References
External links Archipolypoda- The Virtual Fossil Museum Orsadesmus rubecollus, Devonian Times Fossil find 'oldest land animal'- BBC News