Stemmiulidae

Stemmiulida is an order of millipedes consisting of approximately 130 species, reaching up to 50 mm in length. It contains a single family, Stemmiulidae.

Stemmiulidae
Stemmiulus beroni, a West African species
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Subphylum:	Myriapoda
Class:	Diplopoda
Subclass:	Chilognatha
Infraclass:	Helminthomorpha
Subterclass:	Eugnatha
Superorder:	Nematophora
Order:	Stemmiulida Cook, 1895
Family:	Stemmiulidae Pocock, 1894

Unidentified stemmiulids from Puerto Rico

Description

Stemmiulids are small to medium sized millipedes, reaching a maximum length of 50 mm (2 in). The body tapers gradually, and is laterally compressed, so is taller than wide. A dorsal groove is present and runs from head to tail. The eyes consist of two large ocelli on each side of the head, and some members are capable of jumping.^[1][2] The living species lack Tömösváry organs, although a fossil species from the Miocene epoch possesses them.^[3]

Classification

Stemmiluda contains 6-10 living genera and at least one fossil genus, all in the family Stemmiulidae. Species estimates range from about 120 to 150 species.^[4][5] The taxonomy is controversial, with some authors lumping species into as few as three genera.^[5] The most liberal classification is presented below.^[6]

• Diopsiulus
• Eostemmiulus^[7]
• Nethoiulus
• Paurochaeturus
• †Parastemmiulus (Early-Middle Miocene; Mexican amber)^[3]
• Plusiochaeturus
• Prostemmiulus
• Scoliogmus
• Stemmatoiulus
• Stemmijulus
• Stemmiulus