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A small class of myriapod invertebrates which resemble the centipedes. They are small eyeless animals with one pair of legs per segment, typically living in soil and leaf mold.
‘The Pauropoda and Symphyla are both rather obscure groups and relatively little is known about their biology and habits.’
‘Moulting continues throughout their life, and adult Symphyla can live for several years, undergoing more than 50 moults.’
‘Two of them, the Symphyla and Pauropoda, consist of tiny arthropods living in leaf litter and soil; both superficially resemble centipedes.’
‘It is tempting to interpret this structural similarity as evidence of a close evolutionary affinity between Symphyla and Insecta.’
‘An excellent collection of reprints on the little-known Symphyla is also maintained.’
Origin
Modern Latin (plural), from sym- ‘together’ + Greek phulē, phulon ‘tribe’.