Chilopoda vs. Diplopoda

Main Difference

The main difference between chilopoda and diplopoda is that chilopoda contains one pair of legs in each body part, whereas diplopoda contains two pair of legs in each body part.

Difference Between Chilopoda and Diplopoda

Comparison Chart

Chilopoda vs. Diplopoda

Chilopoda is a centipede, whereas diplopoda is a millipede. The body structure of chilopoda is flat, while the body structure of diplopoda is cylindrical. The chilopoda consist of a flexible body; on the other hand, the diplopoda does not have a flexible body. The length of the body of chilopoda is 4 to 5 inches long; on the contrary, the length of the body of diplopoda is 1 to 8 inches long.

The chilopoda is yellowish gray to brown in the color of the body; on the flip side, the diplopoda is dark reddish-brown to black in the color of their body. The body of the chilopoda is split into 15 to 100 parts; conversely, the body of the diplopoda divides into 11 to 150 parts. The chilopoda are monosegmentic; on the other hand, diplopoda are diplosegmentic as there is the fusion of two adjacent segments.

There are present an average number of 40 legs present in chilopoda; on the contrary, an average number of 400 legs are present in diplopoda. A pair of legs are present in chilopoda per body segment; on the flip side, two pair of legs are present in diplopoda per body segment. The chilopoda consists of long legs, whereas the diplopoda consists of short legs. The legs of the chilopoda are extended sideways from their body. On the contrary, the legs of the diplopoda are not extended sideways from their body.

In chilopoda, their legs start from the first segment of their body; on the contrary, the first three segments of diplopoda does not consist of legs. The chilopoda on the top of their head consists of a long antenna, while diplopoda consist of a short antenna. Chilopoda by using their legs move forward swiftly; on the other hand, the diplopoda by using the wave-like motion of their legs to move forward.

Chilopoda usually travels very fast, while diplopoda typically moves very leisurely. The chilopoda contains carnivorous arthropods which feed on various insects and many other small organisms. On the flip side, diplopoda contains many scavenger feeders which feed on decomposed organic matter. Chilopoda attack and kill their prey by their poison glands. Conversely, diplopoda when sensing some threat they curl their body or squeeze on some acidic liquids as their defense mechanism.

The male chilopoda in the environment pledges bundles of its sperms called spermatophores which are then consumed by the female chilopoda; on the other hand, the reproduction occurs in diplopoda through mating. Chilopoda is known as opisthogoneate, which means they consist of only opening present at the later end of the body. Whereas diplopoda are known as progoneate contains only opening at the anterior end of the body.

Almost 50 eggs at a time lay by the chilopoda; on the other hand, approximately 300 eggs at a time are lay by the diplopoda. Chilopoda always guards their eggs and take care of their young ones; conversely, diplopoda does not defend and nurture their young ones.

What is Chilopoda?

Chilopoda contains a trunk formed of many body parts and each having one pair of legs. Chilopoda belongs to the class of arthropods Myriapod. The chilopoda are generally known as centipedes. The chilopoda contains a flattened ventral body which splits into head and trunk. The head of chilopoda contains a pair of simple eyes and a large antenna on the top. The legs of chilopoda are formed into poisonous fangs.

Chilopoda uses their poison to kill insects for feeding and defensive mechanism as well because they are carnivores. They reproduce when male chilopoda spin a small web in the environment to collect the sperms in the way of spermatophores, that is then normally swallowed by the female chilopoda. They nurture and protect their young ones, and they molt much time until they reach sexual maturity.

What is Diplopoda?

Diplopoda contains two pair of legs for each body part. Diplopoda belongs to the class of arthropods Myriapod. Diplopoda contains scavengers that feed on the decomposing organics matter. The diplopoda are usually known as millipedes. Diplopoda contains many more legs than chilopoda.

The body of diplopoda id typically cylindrical. The body of diplopoda also splits into head and trunk. The trunk is commonly segmented, and the first three parts do not contain legs. The fusion of two segments forms each segment of diplopoda, so they are diplosegmentic. The chewing mouthparts are present in the region of diplopoda.

Diplopoda reproduces through mating in which seventh part of the body has mating legs which transmit sperms into the female genital opening.

Conclusion

Above discussion concludes that chilopoda contains a single pair of legs for each body segment, whereas diplopoda contains two pairs of legs for each body segment.