Myriacantherpestes


Myriacantherpestes is an extinct genus of spiny millipedes from the Pennsylvanian subperiod of the Carboniferous period, known from fossils in Europe and North America.

Description

Like other euphoberiids, Myriacantherpestes had prominent dorsal and lateral spines. Myriacantherpestes differs from other members of Euphoberiidae in part by having much longer lateral spines and a more flattened body. Myriacantherpestes had a row of ozopores running down the body near the base of the anterolateral spines, which likely secreted defensive chemicals as in modern millipedes. The head of Myriacantherpestes bore large dorsally-facing compound eyes and toothed mandibles. The largest species of Myriacantherpestes were about in length.

Taxonomic history

Several species currently assigned to Myriacantherpestes were formerly in the genera Acantherpestes and Euphoberia. The species M. excrescens was originally described as a fossilized cycad seed.