Diphyonyx is a genus of soil centipedes in the family Geophilidae[1] found in the Palearctic region. They are notable for the unusually shaped claws on the anterior part of the trunk, which are swollen and have anterior spurs enlarged into elongate projections.[2] Centipedes in this genus have a forcipular coxosternite with a pair of anterior tubercles and feature no sternal pores. Most coxal organs open into a single pit on each coxopleuron. These centipedes range from 4 cm to 6 cm in length and have 65 to 81 pairs of legs.[3]

Diphyonyx
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Myriapoda
Class: Chilopoda
Order: Geophilomorpha
Family: Geophilidae
Genus: Diphyonyx
Bonato, Zapparoli, & Minelli, 2008

Etymology

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From Ancient Greek “diphyés” meaning "of double nature", and “ónyx, ónychos” meaning "claw", referring to the bipartite shape of the pretarsus of the legs on the anterior part of the trunk.[2]

Species

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Species in this genus include:[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b "ITIS - Report: Diphyonyx". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Archived from the original on 2021-03-26.
  2. ^ a b Bonato, Lucio; Zapparoli, Marzio; Minelli, Alessandro (2008). "Morphology, taxonomy and distribution of Diphyonyx gen. n., a lineage of geophilid centipedes with unusually shaped claws (Chilopoda: Geophilidae)". European Journal of Entomology. 105 (2): 343–354. doi:10.14411/eje.2008.041. hdl:11577/2452453.
  3. ^ Bonato, Lucio; Edgecombe, Gregory D.; Zapparoli, Marzio (2011). "Chilopoda – Taxonomic overview". In Minelli, Alessandro (ed.). The Myriapoda. Volume 1. Leiden: Brill. pp. 363–443. ISBN 978-90-04-18826-6. OCLC 812207443.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)