Microdecemplex Explained

Microdecemplex rolfei is the only known species of the extinct, small-bodied millipede order Microdecemplicida. This order is originally considered as a member of the extinct subclass Arthropleuridea, but study in 2024 suggested to reject from the group, instead belongs to subclass Chilognatha.^[1] Fossils, measuring less than 5 mm in length, are known from the Panther Mountain Formation of New York State, dating to the Middle Devonian. This species apparently lacks antennae and shows sexual dimorphism in its hind legs, which may be similar in function to the telopods of male living pill-millipedes that are used to grasp females during mating.^{[2] [3]}

Notes and References

1. Lhéritier . Mickaël . Edgecombe . Gregory D. . Garwood . Russell J. . Buisson . Adrien . Gerbe . Alexis . Koch . Nicolás Mongiardino . Vannier . Jean . Escarguel . Gilles . Adrien . Jérome . Fernandez . Vincent . Bergeret-Medina . Aude . Perrier . Vincent . 2024-10-11 . Head anatomy and phylogenomics show the Carboniferous giant Arthropleura belonged to a millipede-centipede group . Science Advances . en . 10 . 41 . 10.1126/sciadv.adp6362 . 2375-2548 . 11463278 . 39383233. 2024SciA...10P6362L .
2. Wilson. Heather M.. Shear. William A.. Microdecemplicida, a new order of minute arthropleurideans (Arthropoda: Myriapoda) from the Devonian of New York State, U.S.A.. Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh: Earth Sciences. 2000. 90. 4. 351–375. 10.1017/S0263593300002674.
3. Shear. William A.. Edgecombe. Gregory D.. The geological record and phylogeny of the Myriapoda. Arthropod Structure & Development. 2010. 39. 2–3. 174–190. 10.1016/j.asd.2009.11.002. 19944188. 2010ArtSD..39..174S .