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Scolopendra morsitans

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Scolopendra morsitans
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Myriapoda
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 (Ethmostigmus trignopdus 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.


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