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Fossil history

The fossil record of centipedes extends back to 430 million years ago, during the Late Silurian (Crussolum), though they are rare throughout the Paleozoic. The Devonian Panther Mountain Formation contains two species of centipede. One is a species of the scutigeromorph Crussolum. The other is Devonobius, which is included in the extinct group Devonobiomorpha. Another Devonian site, the Rhynie chert, also bears Crussolum fossils, and possible scutigeromorph head material. Rhyniognatha, which was once thought to be the oldest insect fossil, is also found in the Rhynie Chert. Three species, one scutigeromorph (Latzelia) and two scolopendromorphs (Mazoscolopendra and the poorly known Palenarthrus), have been described from the Mazon Creek fossil beds, which are Carboniferous, 309–307 mya. More species appear in the Mesozoic, including scolopendromorphs and scutigeromorphs in the Cretaceous.