Diplopods are a group of arthropods that are characterized by having two pairs of jointed legs on most body segments; they are commonly known as millipedes.

 

Approximately 12,000 millipede species have been described. Few species of millipede are at all widespread; they have very poor dispersal abilities, depending as they do on terrestrial locomotion and humid habitats.

 

The living members of the Diplopoda are divided into sixteen orders.