Arthropleura

noun

Ar·thro·pleu·ra ˌär-thrə-ˈplu̇r-ə

: a genus of very large, extinct arthropods (class Arthropleuridea of the subphylum Myriapoda) that are related to the centipedes and millipedes, that lived during the Carboniferous period, and that are known to have reached a length of over 6.5 feet (2.0 meters) long

Despite dry conditions, there must have been sufficient vegetation to support giant detritivores such as Arthropleura, whose existence is indicated by common trackways on river channel levees.—

H. J. Falcon-Lang et al., Journal of the Geological Society, May 2006

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin, from arthro- arthro- + -pleura, feminine of -pleuros "having sides (of the kind specified)," derivative of pleurá "rib," pleuraí (plural) "side, flank"

First Known Use

1862, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of Arthropleura was in 1862

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