Diplurans (order Diplura) are one of the three hexapod orders not considered to be true insects. These animals are small, entognathousarthropods typically less than 6 mm in length. Diplurans are eyeless with noticeably long antennae. The three families of diplurans may be distinguished by the paired cerci at the rear of the body. The derivation of the name, "Diplura", is from these prominent structures, which are as long as the antennae in the Family Campodeidae, pincer-like in the Family Japygidae, and short and stubby in the Family Anajapygidae (or Projapygidae).
References and External links
Tree of Life Project (http://tolweb.org/tree?group=Diplura&contgroup=Hexapoda) – Diplura
Diplura are tiny, cryptozoic animals that live in moist soil, leaf litter, or humus.
Most Diplura are predators; their diet probably includes a wide variety of other soil-dwellers, including collembola, mites, symphyla, insect larvae, and even other diplurans.
Diplura and some walkingsticks (Phasmatodea) are the only terrestrial arthropods known to be able to regenerate lost body parts.
The name Diplura is derived from the Greek words "diplo-" meaning two and "ura" meaning tails which refers to the large cerci at the terminal end of the of the abdomen.
Most Diplura are predators and so their diet consists of a variety of other soil-dwellers such as springtails, mites, insect larvae, and ins some cases other diplurans.
Diplura and some walkingsticks (Phasmida) are the only terrestrial arthropods known to be able to regenerate lost body parts through a series of several molts.
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