This paper presents two sequential advanced split and merge algorithms and a parallel image segmentation algorithm based on them. First, the two advanced methods are obtained from the combination of edge detection and classic split and merge to solve the inherent problems of the classical method. Besides, the parallel image segmentation algorithm on mesh-connected MIMD system considers three types in the merge stage to reduce the communication overhead between processors, such as intraprocessor merge, interprocessor with boundary merge, and interprocessor without boundary merge. Finally , we prove that the proposed algorithms achieve the improved performance by implementing them.