Which one of the following belongs to class-Diplopoda?
Show Hint
To differentiate Myriapod classes:
\textbf{Diplo}poda = \textbf{Di} (two) pods (feet) \(\rightarrow\) Millipedes (two pairs of legs per segment).
\textbf{Chilo}poda = Centipedes (one pair of legs per segment).
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Remembering that "milli" means thousand (an exaggeration) and "centi" means hundred helps distinguish the two groups.
Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The question asks to identify the organism belonging to the Class Diplopoda from the given options. Class Diplopoda includes the millipedes, which are part of the Subphylum Myriapoda.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation of Options:
- Balanus: This is a genus of acorn barnacles. Barnacles belong to the Class Crustacea.
- Sacculina: This is a genus of parasitic barnacles. Like Balanus, it belongs to the Class Crustacea.
- Scolopendra: This is a genus of giant centipedes. Centipedes belong to the Class Chilopoda. The key difference from Diplopoda is that they have only one pair of legs per body segment.
- Julus: This is a genus of millipedes. Millipedes are characterized by having two pairs of legs on most of their body segments (diplosegments), which is the defining feature of Class Diplopoda.
Step 3: Final Answer:
{Julus} is a millipede and therefore belongs to the Class Diplopoda. Option (D) is the correct answer.