Geophiloidea

Geophiloidea
Geophilus sp. from Rock Creek Park, Washington, DC, USA
Scientific classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Myriapoda
Class: Chilopoda
Order: Geophilomorpha
Suborder: Adesmata
Superfamily: Geophiloidea
Families

Geophiloidea is a superfamily in the order Geophilomorpha and suborder Adesmata containing the families Zelanophilidae, Gonibregmatidae (including Eriphantidae and Neogeophilidae), and Geophilidae (including Aphilodontidae, Dignathodontidae, Linotaeniidae, Chilenophilinae, and Macronicophilidae). This superfamily is characterized by features of the chamber leading to the mouth opening: The border between the proximal (clypeal) part and the distal (labral) part of the roof of this chamber (epipharynx) is divided into two lobes. Furthermore, the spines on the bottom of this chamber (hypopharynx) extend to most frontal and ventral parts of this floor. Another diagnostic trait of this superfamily are the mandibles, which each feature a single lamella resembling a comb.