Centipedes and Millipedes of Zihuatanejo

SUBPHYLUM MYRIAPODA

-Millipedes (Class Diplopoda)

-Chilognathan Millipedes (Subclass Chilognatha)

-Worm-like Millipedes (Infraclass Helminthomorpha)

-Subterclass Eugnatha

-Superorder Merocheta

-Flat-backed Millipedes (Order Polydesmida)

-Suborder Strongylosomatidea

-Family Paradoxosomatidae

-Subfamily Paradoxosomatinae

-Tribe Orthomorphini

-Genus Orthomorpha

-Long-flange Millipede (Orthomorpha coarctata)

It is similar in appearance with Greenhouse Millipede (Oxidus gracilis). Its body is black, and paranota on all segments are yellow. The size of this millipede is about 20 mm in length. It can emit a foul odor when disturbed. They further protect themselves by squirting hydrogen cyanide when threatened. It's not that harmful to humans but lethal to birds and rodents.