Class DiplopodaAnatomy
The Millipedes anatomy consists of the exoskeleton, segments, the legs, the eyes, and the Metathoracic glands. Millipedes do not have an internal skeleton. Have an exoskeleton that consists of three different layers. The first inner layer is made up of the epidermis. The middle layer is made up of soft, flexible chitin. The last final layer is made of chitin but has been stiffened and hardened to protect itself from other enemies. The millipede body has two main sections that have many segments; an anterior head region and a long segmented trunk. Trunk- carries the two pairs of legs The first ring after the head is legless but the three segments after that only have one pair of legs because they carry the sexual organs. Millipedes have very simple looking eyes. Almost all millipede species have glands that will warn off predators. Some millipedes can produce tiny gas clouds of hydrogen cyanide, which is very poisonous to there predators but does no harm to humans. Millipedes are timid invertebrates and unlike centipedes, |
Reproductive System
Male millipedes can be differentiated from female millipedes by the presence of one or two pairs of legs modified into gonopods These modified legs, which are usually on the seventh segment, are used to transfer sperm packets to the female during copulation. The genital openings are located on the third segment, and are accompanied in the male by one or two penises, which deposit the sperm packets onto the gonopods. Females lay between ten and three hundred eggs at a time, depending on species, fertilising them with the stored sperm as they do so. Respiratory System Millipedes breathe through two pairs of spiracles on each diplosegment. Each opens into an internal pouch, and connects to a system of tracheae. Circulatory System Open circulatory system Digestive System the have bacteria tlo help the break down their food to be digest. |