[1] These centipedes are found in the temperate and tropical parts of every continent except Antarctica, with their distribution significantly expanded by the introduction of the Mediterranean species Scutigera coleoptrata throughout Europe, Asia, and North America.

[4] The dorsal placement of spiracles reflects the adaptation of species in this order to life in the open rather than under stones or bark, where other centipedes live.

[7] The earliest known fossil centipedes have been identified as belonging to the order Scutigeromorpha based on the morphology of their legs and their maxillipeds.

[11] These Paleozoic fossils date the crown group of Chilopoda to at least the late Silurian, 418 million years ago.

[2] The smallest family, Scutigerinidae, contains only a few species and includes the genera Scutigerina and Madagassophora,[14] found in South Africa and Madagascar.