noun
symphylan
A small, centipede-like soil arthropod of the class Symphyla. Technical term used in biology and agriculture.
コムカデは土壌中で有機物を分解する役割を果たしている。
Symphylans play a role in decomposing organic matter in the soil.
ムカデ (centipede) is a larger, more familiar predatory arthropod, while コムカデ is a tiny, soil-dwelling symphylan.
The name コムカデ literally means 'small centipede' (小 + ムカデ), referring to its resemblance to a tiny centipede.