Scolopendra morsitans

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Scolopendra morsitans
Scolopendra morsitans.JPG
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Scientific classification edit
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Chilopoda
Order: Scolopendromorpha
Family: Scolopendridae
Genus: Scolopendra
Species:
S. morsitans
Binomial name
Scolopendra morsitans

Scolopendra morsitans, also known as the Tanzanian blue ringleg or red-headed centipede, is a species of centipede in the family Scolopendridae.[2] They should not be confused with the Chinese red-headed Centipede (Scolopendra subspines) or the Tanzanian Blue Ring Centipede ( trignopodus), both of which have similar sounding common names to Scolopendra morsitans. S. morsitans is the type species for the genus Scolopendra.

Description[]

Scolopendra morsitans.

Scolopendra morsitans can grow between 10 and 15 cm in length;[3] females are generally larger.[4] Antennae have a minimum of 17 segments,[5][4] but sources differ on maximum length. They have eight eyes in total, four on each side of the head.[4] They feed on other arthropods, such as spiders and small insects,[6] and cockroaches.[7] When in captivity, they may feed on small vertebrates (mice, frogs, etc.)[4]. It is common across Southern Africa, Australia, and has also been found in Southern Asia and the Caribbean. It is considered an invasive species in some locations.[8]

Reproduction[]

To begin reproduction, the male spins a small web.[9][4] This web-spinnning is quite common across all centipedes.[10] The male then deposits a bean-shaped package of sperm on the web, which the female later picks up with her genitals.[11] Their brood chambers are typically found under rocks and stones,[4] and can be up to 10 cm deep.[11] Females can lay up to 86 greenish eggs in such chambers.[4] The female will curl around the eggs until they hatch[11].They take 4 years to mature, and can live a total of 10. This life span is not unusual for a centipede- Scolopendra subspinipes can also live up to ten years.[12]

References[]

  1. ^ http://journals.fcla.edu/mundi/article/view/76921
  2. ^ "Scolopendra morsitans". Global Invasive Species Database. Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG) of the IUCN Species Survival Commission. April 28, 2009. Retrieved March 2, 2012.
  3. ^ https://similarbutdifferentanimals.com/2020/10/09/tanzanian-blue-ringleg-centipede/
  4. ^ a b c d e f g "Red-headed Centipede". Project Noah. Retrieved 2021-07-28.
  5. ^ Jake (2020-05-27). "Types of Centipedes Nobody is talking about". Pestbugs. Retrieved 2021-07-28.
  6. ^ https://similarbutdifferentanimals.com/2020/10/09/tanzanian-blue-ringleg-centipede/
  7. ^ "Red-headed Centipede". Project Noah. Retrieved 2021-07-28.
  8. ^ "Scolopendra morsitans Linnaeus, 1758". www.gbif.org. Retrieved 2021-07-28.
  9. ^ "Reproduction". The Stone Centipede. Retrieved 2021-07-28.
  10. ^ "Reproduction". The Stone Centipede. Retrieved 2021-07-28.
  11. ^ a b c Jake (2020-05-27). "Types of Centipedes Nobody is talking about". Pestbugs. Retrieved 2021-07-28.
  12. ^ "Scolopendra subspinipes". www.extento.hawaii.edu. Retrieved 2021-07-28.

External links[]


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