''Geophilus alaskanus'' is a

species A species () is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate sexes or mating types can produce fertile offspring, typically by sexual reproduction. It is the basic unit of Taxonomy (biology), ...

of soil centipede in the

family Family (from ) is a Social group, group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or Affinity (law), affinity (by marriage or other relationship). It forms the basis for social order. Ideally, families offer predictabili ...

Geophilidae Geophilidae is a family of soil centipedes in the superfamily Geophiloidea and the order Geophilomorpha. In 2014, a phylogenetic analysis based on morphological and molecular data found this family to be polyphyletic. To avoid this polyphyly, ...

found in Alaska. It bears similarities to '' Mecistocephalus attenuatus'', however unlike ''M. attenuatus'', it has oblong cephalic lamina, unarmed coxae, and unarmed claw at base. ''G. alaskanus'' is dull orange-brown in color, grows to about 30 millimeters, and has 53 leg pairs (in male specimens) with the first pair being very small and the last pair being distinctly larger than the others. It also possesses coalesced frontal lamina, unexposed basal lamina broader than the cephalic, a prehensorial

sternum The sternum (: sternums or sterna) or breastbone is a long flat bone located in the central part of the chest. It connects to the ribs via cartilage and forms the front of the rib cage, thus helping to protect the heart, lungs, and major bl ...

that's broader than it is long, distinct lateral grooves, obsolete prosternal teeth, a smooth, bare dorsal surface except for two faint impressed lines, and a small

pleurae The pleurae (: pleura) are the two flattened closed sacs filled with pleural fluid, each ensheathing each lung and lining their surrounding tissues, locally appearing as two opposing layers of serous membrane separating the lungs from the media ...

of the last segment marked with 8–10 pigmented pores of which the posterior one of the ventral face is larger than the others and sunk in a deep cavity.

References

alaskanus Fauna of Alaska Animals described in 1904 Endemic fauna of Alaska {{Centipede-stub