Final answer:
The subphylum Myriapoda includes four major classes: Chilopoda (centipedes), Diplopoda (millipedes), Pauropoda (pauropods), and Symphyla (symphylans), with centipedes and millipedes being the more commonly known.
Step-by-step explanation:
The major classes within the subphylum Myriapoda are:
- Chilopoda (centipedes)
- Diplopoda (millipedes)
- Pauropoda (pauropods)
- Symphyla (symphylans)
Centipedes and millipedes are the more commonly recognized myriapods, with distinct differences such as the number of legs per segment. Centipedes bear one pair of legs per segment and have forcipules for delivering venom, while millipedes have two pairs per fused segment and are typically herbivores or detritivores. The smaller classes, Symphyla and Pauropoda, contain species that are often found in soil, feeding on plant roots or decaying organic matter respectively.