Myriapoda

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Myriapoda \Myr`i*ap"o*da\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. ? numberless +
     -poda.] (Zool.)
     A class, or subclass, of arthropods, related to the hexapod
     insects, from which they differ in having the body made up of
     numerous similar segments, nearly all of which bear true
     jointed legs. They have one pair of antennae, three pairs of


     mouth organs, and numerous tracheae, similar to those of true
     insects. The larvae, when first hatched, often have but three
     pairs of legs. See {Centiped}, {Galleyworm}, {Milliped}.
     [1913 Webster]
  
     Note: The existing Myriapoda are divided into three orders:
           {Chilopoda}, {Chilognatha} or {Diplopoda}, and
           {Pauropoda} (see these words in the Vocabulary). Large
           fossil species (very different from any living forms)
           are found in the Carboniferous formation.
           [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  Myriapoda
       n : arthropods having the body composed of numerous double
           somites each with two pairs of legs: millipedes [syn: {Diplopoda},
            {class Diplopoda}, {class Myriapoda}]