Archipolypoda



Archipolypoda is an extinct group of millipedes known from fossils in Europe and North America and containing the earliest known land animals. The Archipolypoda was erected by Scudder (1882) but redefined in 2005 with the description of several new species from Scotland. Distinguishing characteristics include relatively large eyes with densely packed ocelli (sometimes interpreted as compound eyes), and modified leg pairs on the 8th body ring. Some species had prominent spines while others had a flattened appearance.

Classification
The Archipolypoda as currently recognized consists of four orders, many with monotypic families and genera, as well as five species of uncertain placement (incertae sedis).

Archidesmida Wilson & Anderson, 2004 Cowiedesmida Wilson & Anderson, 2004 Euphoberiida Hoffman, 1969 Palaeosomatida Hannibal & Krzeminski, 2005. Carboniferous, UK and Poland Order incertae sedis
 * Archidesmidae Scudder, 1885
 * Archidesmus macnicoli Peach, 1882 . Lower Devonian, Scotland
 * Zanclodesmidae Wilson, Daeschler & Desbiens, 2005
 * Zanclodesmus willetti Wilson, Daeschler & Desbiens, 2005 . Upper Devonian, Quebec, Canada
 * Orsadesmus rubecollus Wilson, Daeschler & Desbiens, 2005 . Upper Devonian, Pennsylvania, USA
 * Cowiedesmidae Wilson & Anderson, 2004
 * Cowiedesmus eroticopodus Wilson & Anderson, 2004 . Mid Silurian or Lower Devonian, Scotland.
 * Euphoberiidae Scudder, 1882 . Upper Carboniferous of Europe and North America.
 * Acantherpestes Meek & Worthen, 1868
 * Euphoberia Meek & Worthen, 1868
 * Myriacantherpestes Burke, 1979
 * Palaeosomatidae Hannibal & Krzeminski, 2005
 * Palaeosoma
 * Albadesmus almondi Wilson & Anderson, 2004 Mid Silurian or Lower Devonian, Scotland
 * Anaxeodesmus diambonotus Wilson, 2005 Upper Carboniferous, UK.
 * Anthracodesmus macconochiei, Peach, 1899
 * Palaeodesmus tuberculata (Brade-Birks, 1923) (=Kampecaris tuberculata)  Lower Devonian, Scotland.
 * Pneumodesmus newmani Wilson & Anderson, 2004 Mid Silurian or Lower Devonian, Scotland