This special edition of ZooKeys contains papers on systematics presented at the 15th International Congress of Myriapodology held in Brisbane, Australia, 18?22 July 2011. Non-systematics papers from the congress are beingÿ published concurrently in International Journal of Myriapodology volume 6. The International Congress of Myriapodology is held every three years under the auspices of the Centre International de Myriapodologie.

First multi-year cumulation covers six years: 1965-70.

"The Myriapoda” is the first comprehensive monograph ever on all aspects of myriapod biology, including external and internal morphology, physiology, reproduction, development, distribution, ecology, phylogeny and taxonomy. It is thus of major interest for all zoologists and soil biologists.

Myriapods are the only major zoological group for which a modern encyclopedic treatment has never been produced. In particular, this was the single major gap in the largest zoological treatise of the XIX century (Grassé’s Traité de Zoologie), whose publication has recently been stopped. The two volumes of “The Myriapoda” fill that gap with an updated treatment in the English language. Volume I opens with an introductory treatment of myriapod affinities and phylogeny. The following chapters are mostly devoted to the Chilopoda or centipedes, extensively treated from the point of view of external and internal morphology, physiology, reproduction, development, distribution, ecology, phylogeny and taxonomy. All currently recognized suprageneric and generic taxa are considered. Additional chapters deal with the two smaller myriapod classes, the Symphyla and the Pauropoda. All groups and features are extensively illustrated by line drawings and micrographs and living specimens of representative species of the main groups are presented in color photographs.