Family SCOLOPENDRELLIDAE

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Introduction

This family is generally smaller in size, generally not much more than 4 mm long, than the Scutigerellidae. Two genera and five species are recorded from Australia. A further two species are distinguished but not named (Symphylella A from Kimberley, WA and Symphylella B, from Hinchinbrook, QLD) (Scheller 1961). All species but one are known only from Western Australia.

Diagnosis

Scolopendrellidae are morphologically distinguished Scutigerellidae by possessing dorsal scuta that are often reduced in size and with posterior, pointed projections, the styli at the base of the legs are reduced in size, with smooth margins to pit insertions of distal calicles, the central rod of head capsule with a break in the centre, and the first pair of legs usually half as long or less than the second pair or absent.

General References

Edwards, C.A. 1990. Symphyla. pp. 891-910 in Dindal, D.A. (ed.). Soil Biology Guide. New York : John Wiley & Sons.

Scheller, U. 1961. A review of the Australian Symphyla (Myriapoda). Australian Journal of Zoology 9: 140-171

History of changes