Comparative Features of Centipedes and Millipedes in Biology
Centipede and Millipede
The largest phylum of the animal kingdom is Arthropoda. This is more clear from the fact that out of all the species found on earth 78% belongs to phylum Arthropoda. It is the 6th phylum in the animal kingdom and the members of this phylum have jointed appendages (arthro-jointed; pods-appendages). Both centipede and millipede belong to this phylum.
1.Centipede
Scientific name - Scolopendra
Kingdom - Animalia
Phylum - Arthropoda
Subphylum - Mandibulata
Class – Chilopoda
2.Millipede
Scientific name - Julus
Kingdom - Animalia
Phylum - Arthropoda
Subphylum - Mandibulata
Class - Diplopoda
Subphylum- Mandibulata
Phylum Arthropoda is so much vast that it is again divided into 3 subphyla as
Trilobitomorpha
Chelicerata
Mandibulata
Mandibulata is the largest subphylum of Arthropoda. It has 6 classes.
Since millipede and centipede belong to mandibulata we will restrict our discussion to this subphylum only.
General Characteristics Of Organisms Placed In Mandibulata Are-
Habitat can be terrestrial/aquatic/volant/ parasite.
Respiration by gills/trachea.
Compound/simple eyes may be present.
Development may include the presence of larva (indirect) or may not (direct).
Pair of structures like antenna, mandible, maxilla may be present or may be absent.
Here two classes of mandibulata out of six are discussed to which centipede and millipede belong.
Class - Chilopoda
The members of this class are known as centipedes or hundred leggers. Even though they are called a hundred leggers but they have nearly about 30-300 legs.
They have a Dorso-ventrally flattened body.
These organisms are poisonous to men.
They respire through the trachea.
Their excretion takes place through Malpighian tubules.
They have one pair of antennas, one pair of mandibles, and two pairs of the maxilla.
Examples- Scolopendra/Centipede,
Alpes grandidieri- feather tail centipede
Lithobius forficatus - stone centipede
Ethmostigmus trigonous - blue ring centipede
Class - Diplopoda
There are around 8000 species that are estimated to be in Diplopoda out of which only 3000 are known to us.
The members of this class are known as Millipede/thousand leggers.
They have a cylindrical body.
They are non-poisonous to men
Respiration takes place by the trachea.
Excretion takes place by Malpighian tubules.
They may have simple eyes or can be absent. Compound eyes are absent.
One pair of antenna, One pair of mandate tables, and One pair of the maxilla are present on their body.
Examples-Millipede/Julus, Octoglena sierra, Anadenobolus monilia, sis, E plus pulchripes, etc.
(Image to be added soon)
Difference Between Centipede and Millipede
After knowing the general characteristics of the class to which these organisms belong, it becomes easy to differentiate between the two organisms. Some people might think both are same but the following table will make the difference more clear -
Centipede V/S Millipedes
Fun Facts
Do you know that the largest existing species of centipede is the Amazonian centipede - Scolopendra gigantic (30cm in length).
Also, millipedes are the oldest land animals found on earth!
FAQs on Centipede vs Millipede: What Sets Them Apart?
1. What is the main difference between a centipede and a millipede?
The primary difference lies in the number of legs per body segment. Centipedes have one pair of legs for each body segment, whereas millipedes have two pairs of legs per segment. This distinction also affects their appearance and movement; centipedes are typically flattened and fast, while millipedes are more cylindrical and slow.
2. How do the legs of centipedes and millipedes differ in number and arrangement?
Centipedes possess one pair of long legs per body segment, which extend from the sides of their body, enabling rapid, agile movement. Their name means "hundred legs," though most species have between 30 and 90 legs. In contrast, millipedes have two pairs of shorter legs per segment, positioned directly underneath their body. While their name means "thousand legs," no known species has this many; they typically range from 40 to 400 legs.
3. How does the diet and feeding behaviour of a centipede differ from a millipede?
Their diets are fundamentally different and reflect their ecological roles:
- Centipedes are carnivorous predators. They actively hunt insects, spiders, and other small invertebrates, using a pair of modified, venomous claws called forcipules to paralyse their prey.
- Millipedes are primarily detritivores. They feed on decaying organic material like leaf litter and rotting wood, playing a crucial role as decomposers in their ecosystem.
4. Which is more harmful to humans, a centipede or a millipede?
A centipede is more likely to be harmful to humans. Centipedes are venomous and can deliver a painful bite with their forcipules, which can cause localised swelling, pain, and redness similar to a bee sting. In contrast, millipedes are not venomous and do not bite. When threatened, a millipede's main defence is to curl into a tight spiral and release a foul-smelling, irritating fluid from its glands.
5. What are the key differences in the body shape and antennae of centipedes and millipedes?
Centipedes generally have a dorso-ventrally flattened body, which is ideal for squeezing into tight spaces to hunt prey. They also possess a pair of very long, sensitive antennae. Millipedes, on the other hand, typically have a cylindrical or tube-shaped body that is well-suited for burrowing through soil and leaf litter. Their antennae are shorter and often appear club-shaped or elbowed.
6. Why are centipedes and millipedes classified in different classes (Chilopoda and Diplopoda) despite their similarities?
Although both are in the Phylum Arthropoda, their classification into separate classes—Chilopoda (centipedes) and Diplopoda (millipedes)—is due to fundamental anatomical distinctions. The most important is the structure of their body segments. The name Diplopoda means "double foot," reflecting the two pairs of legs on most segments. Chilopoda means "lip foot," which refers to the first pair of appendages being modified into venomous fangs. These core differences in body plan, locomotion, and feeding apparatus justify their separate classification.
7. What are some key similarities between centipedes and millipedes?
Despite their many differences, centipedes and millipedes share several common biological traits. Both organisms:
- Belong to the Phylum Arthropoda and Subphylum Myriapoda.
- Have a body composed of numerous segments and an exoskeleton made of chitin.
- Possess a single pair of antennae on their head.
- Breathe through a system of air tubes called tracheae.
- Are terrestrial creatures that prefer moist, dark habitats.
