Centipede Fauna Research Articles

The current knowledge on centipedes (Chilopoda) in Slovenia: faunistic and ecological records from a national database.

In spite of Slovenia’s very high biodiversity, it has only a few animal groups that have been significantly investigated and are well known in this area. Slovenian researchers have studied only about half of the species known to be living in the country (Mršić 1997), but among well investigated species are centipedes. All available data about centipedes in Slovenia collected from 1921 to 2014 have been consolidated and constitute a general electronic database called “CHILOBIO”, which was created to provide an easy overview of the Slovenian centipede fauna and to allow entry and interpretation of new data collected in future research. The level of investigation has been studied with this database, in conjunction with a geographic information system (GIS). In the study period, 109 species were identified from 350 localities in 109 of the 236 UTM 10 × 10 km quadrants which cover the study area. The south-central part of the country has been the subject of the best investigations, whereas there is an absence of data from the south-eastern, eastern and north-eastern regions The highest number of species (52) has been recorded near the Iška valley (Central Slovenia, quadrant VL68). In 48% of the UTM quadrants investigated fewer than 10 species were recorded and just 5 species were found in one locality. Seventeen species were reported only in the Dinaric region, 4 in the Prealpine-subpannonian region and 7 in the Primorska-submediterranean region.

Patterns and processes in the distribution of European centipedes (Chilopoda)

Aim To identify consistent biogeographical modules, and examine species diversity and distribution patterns of centipede assemblages. Location Europe, including Turkey and Macaronesia. Methods A dataset was compiled, detailing the occurrence of 585 species of centipedes in 56 countries. Cluster analysis using UPGMA (unweighted pair-group method with arithmetic averages) was used to identify biogeographical modules. To cope with potential issues resulting from the use of political geographical entities, the robustness of the modules was tested using two different randomization approaches. Potential centres of diversity and dispersal for the taxa were hypothesized using two different approaches, based on nestedness analysis using NODF and on investigation of species diversity gradients, respectively. Results The Mediterranean region was found to be the most species-rich area. Cluster analysis identified four major biogeographical modules, namely Eastern Mediterranean, Western Mediterranean, Balkan Peninsula with eastern–central Europe, and north-western Europe. The robustness of these modules was supported by two randomization approaches. Both the analysis of nestedness and of species diversity gradients consistently identified the Balkan Peninsula as a potential centre of diversity for centipedes in Europe. Main conclusions The arrangement of the centipede fauna into four biogeographical modules is consistent with European topography and environmental heterogeneity, with high mountain ranges acting as dispersal barriers, limiting the species overlap between modules. Common palaeogeographical history may explain the high degree of nestedness observed in the central and north-western European modules, whereas the high number of singletons and endemics is responsible for the low degree of nestedness in southern Europe. The identification of the Balkan Peninsula as a potential centre of diversity is in agreement with its high environmental heterogeneity and its known role as a Pleistocene glacial refugium.

An annotated checklist of Lithobiomorpha of China.

The lithobiomorph centipede fauna of China is listed here based on literature data. A total of 68 species in 15 genera/subgenera in 2 families, Henicopidae and Lithobiidae, has been recorded from China. Three genera and forty-four species are known only from China, including the monotypic genera Pterygotergum and Hedinobius. The original descriptions of 16 nominal species were based on specimens of single sex only and 13 nominal species of Lithobius have never been allocated to a subgenus. Lithobius (Lithobius) zhui Pei, Ma, Shi, Wu & Gai, 2011 is moved to subgenus Lithobius (Ezembius). Distribution data for each species is provided here to promote further studies on the Lithobiomorpha fauna of China.

An annotated checklist of centipedes (Chilopoda) of Vietnam.

The centipede fauna of Vietnam is reviewed from the literature. A total of 71 species in 26 genera, 13 families in four orders, Scolopendromorpha, Geophilomorpha, Lithobiomorpha and Scutigeromorpha, has been recorded from Vietnam. Four genera, Tonkinodentus, Alluropus, Anopsobiella and Megalacrus, are monotypic; and twenty-two species and subspecies are known only from Vietnam. Distribution data for each species is provided here to promote further studies on the centipede fauna of Vietnam.

The centipede fauna (Chilopoda) of the island of Cyprus, with one new lithobiomorph species.

The centipede (Chilopoda) fauna of Cyprus, which was almost unknown, has been analysed by examining more than 1,800 specimens sampled from 185 sites, besides revising critically the few published data. A total of 26 species are listed and discussed (1 Scutigeromorpha, 9 Lithobiomorpha, 3 Scolopendromorpha, 13 Geophilomorpha), 21 of which are new to the island, i.e. Scutigera coleoptrata (Linnaeus, 1758), Lithobius (Ezembius) parvicornis (Porat, 1893), L. (E.) pamukkalensis Matic, 1980, L. (E.) zeylanus (Chamberlin, 1952), L. (Lithobius) carinatus L. Koch, 1862, L. (L.) erythrocephalus C.L. Koch, 1847, L. (Lithobius?) anderssoni n. sp., L. (Monotarsobius) ferganensis Trotzina, 1880, Cryptops (Cryptops) kosswigi (Chamberlin, 1952), C. (C.) cf. trisulcatus Brölemann, 1902, Dignathodon microcephalus (Lucas, 1846), Henia (Meinertia) bicarinata (Meinert, 1870), Geophilus cf. alpinus Meinert, 1870, G cf. carpophagus Leach, 1815, Pachymerium ferrugineum (C.L. Koch, 1835), Schizotaenia sp., Stenotaenia naxia (Verhoeff, 1901), Thracophilus cilicius Attems, 1947, Nannophilus eximius (Meinert, 1870) and Schendyla cf. nemorensis (C.L. Koch, 1837), and another unidentified species of Schendylidae . As far as known, Lithobius anderssoni n. sp. is endemic to the island. Geographic distribution in Cyprus and ecological notes are given for each species. Taxonomic remarks are given for some species.

The centipedes (Chilopoda) of Corsica: catalogue of species with faunistic, zoogeographical and ecological remarks

Published and unpublished data on the centipedes of Corsica (France) is summarised and critically reviewed in this paper. Thirty-three species are listed and discussed (1 Scutigeromorpha, 11 Lithobiomorpha, 4 Scolopendromorpha, 17 Geophilomorpha), one of which is new to the island: Henia (Pseudochaetechelyne) brevis (Silvestri, 1896). General geographical distribution, chorotype, exact localities and ecological notes (altitudinal range, habitats) are given for each species. Eight species are Corsican endemics. Taxonomic remarks are given for some species. General notes on the composition of the centipede fauna of Corsica and its zoogeographic affinities as well as remarks on the ecology of the species and their assemblages are also included.

An annotated catalogue of the epigeic and cave centipedes (Chilopoda) of Sardinia

Published and unpublished data on the epigeic and cave centipedes of Sardinia (Italy) are summarized and critically revised in this paper. Fifty-four species are listed and discussed (1 Scutigeromorpha, 19 Lithobiomorpha, 6 Scolopendromorpha, 28 Geophilomorpha), two of which new to the island: Lamyctes emarginatus (Newport, 1844) and Schendyla montana (Attems, 1895). Thirty-one species have been recorded in caves (1 Scutigeromorpha, 14 Lithobiomorpha, 6 Scolopendromorpha, 10 Geophilomorpha) – including the poorly known Plutonium zwierleini Cavanna, 1881 – six of which exclusive of this habitat (5 Lithobius spp., 1 Cryptops sp.). Five species are introduced or probably introduced. General geographic distribution, chorotype, Sardinian localities and ecological notes (altitudinal ranges, habitats) are given for each species. Taxonomic notes are given for some species. Lithobius turritanus Fanzago, 1881 and Lithobius molophai Restivo De Miranda, 1978, previously considered synonyms of Lithobius tricuspis Meinert, 1872 and Lithobius cerii Verhoeff, 1943, respectively, are recognized as valid species, status rev. The new synonymies Lithobius melanops domusnovae Restivo De Miranda, 1976 = Lithobius lapidicola Meinert, 1872 syn. nov., Lithobius oligoporus Latzel, 1884 = Lithobius turritanus Fanzago, 1881 syn. nov. and Lithobius fraleliae De Miranda Restivo, 1978 = Lithobius turritanus Fanzago, 1881 syn. nov. are proposed. Lithobius turritanei Restivo De Miranda i. l. in Cassola, 1982 is recognized as nomen nudum. Cryptops breviunguis A. Costa, 1882 is proposed as species inquirenda and its identity with Cryptops anomalans Newport, 1844 is rejected. Lithobius molophai Restivo De Miranda, 1978 and L. sardous Silvestri, 1898 are redescribed on type or topotypical material. A lectotype for L. sardous Silvestri, 1898 is also designated. Lithobius sardus Manfredi, 1956 status nov., formerly a subspecies of L. agilis C. L. Koch, 1847, is raised to species level; its probable affinity with L. turritanus Fanzago, 1881 is also discussed. Lithobius infossusSilvestri, 1894 (= L. dahlii Verhoeff, 1925) is erased from the centipede fauna of Sardinia, and previous records should be referred to an unidentified species of Lithobius or to L. nuragicus Zapparoli, 1997.

Effect of urbanization on centipede (Chilopoda) diversity in the Wielkopolska-Kujawy Lowlands of western Poland

Over fifty years of research data from various sources were compiled and analyzed in order to determine the effect of urbanization on centipede diversity in the Wielkopolska-Kujawy Lowlands of western Poland. Urbanization has had a significant effect on species composition and community structures. However, it has not reduced overall species richness and diversity in the centipede fauna. The centipede fauna from built-up areas was found to be rich and varied. The habitats with the highest levels of species richness were the city of Poznan and the beech forests in the surrounding region.

A review of the centipede (Lithobiomorpha, Henicopidae, Lithobiidae) fauna of the Urals and Cis-Ural Area

The centipede fauna of the Urals and Cis-Ural Area includes 11 species of 4 genera. Two new species, Lithobius ruderalus Farzalieva and L. kozminykhi Farzalieva, are described. The species status of the damaged specimen of Hessebius was not determined. A new combination, Lithobius steppicus (Farzalieva et Zalesskaja, 2003) (of Monotarsobius), is proposed. Other species have been redescribed and illustrated. Reasons for a high endemism of the regional centipede fauna are discussed. The diversity of local faunas is relatively high in southern zones (5–7 species). The number of species decreases down to two in the middle taiga and mountains. Only one species, Lithobius curtipes, penetrates into the forest-steppe and tundra.

Faunistic and zoogeographic aspects of central Apennines centipede fauna (Chilopoda)

Biogeographia vol. XX V/// - 2007 (Pubblicato il 30 dicembre 2007) Biogeografia dell ’Appennino centrale e settentriona/es trenfanni dopo Faunistic and zoogeographic aspects of central Apennines centipede fauna (Chilopoda) MARZIO ZAPPAROLI Dipzzrtimmto (Ii Proteziorze zlelle Pitmte, Unit/er5z'rz‘z degli Studi ale!/rz Tuscizz, via Srm Camilla die Lellzk 5.715., 01100 Viterbo (Italy); e—mrzi[: zzzppa7‘o[@zz7zitus. it Keywords: Chilopoda, zoogeography, faunistic, central Apennines, Italy SUMMARY Sixty—seVen species of centipedes (1 Scutigeromorpha, 31 Lithobiomorplm, 8 Scolopendromorpha, 27 Geophilomorpha) have been recorded in the area of peninsular Italy between the valleys of Ombrone and Foglia Rivers to the north and Volturno and Fortore Rivers to the south (Apenninic and Anti—Apenninic limestone ranges. hilly and flatlands areas along the Tyrrhenian and Adriatic coasts: nearly 52,700 km: wide). This number is equal to about the 42% ofthe total Centipede species recorded in Italy (160) and to about the 14% ofthose present in Europe (486). The species recorded, apart from those excluded because of uncertain taxonomic identity (3 species) or introduced (2 species), belong to the Following main chorotypes (pattern of distribution) of the western Palearctic fauna: chorotypes ofspecies widely spread in the I-Ioloarcric Region (4: W—Palearctic, 1 species; Sibero—European, 1 species; Centralasiatic—European, 1 species; Turano—European, 1 species), 6.5%; chorotypes of species more or less widely spread in Europe (26: European, 8 species; Centraleuropean, 7 species; S—European, 10 species; \X/—European, 1 species), 41.9%; chorotypes ofspecies more or less widely spread in the Mediterranean countries (16: Mediterranean, 10 species; \X/—Mediterranean, Sspecies; E—Mediterranean, 1 species), 25.8%; endemics (16: Italian, 1 species;Alpino— Apenninic, 2 species; W—Alpii1o—Apenninic, 1 species; Apenninic, 11 species; Tyrrhenian, 1 species), 25.8%. The Mediterranean geophilomorph Centipede SC/.'7¢’77l{}/[(1 rtrm/Itrz (Brolemann, I901), previously known in Italy from Sardinia and Tuscany, was recorded for the first time in central Italy. INTRODUCTION The central Apennines is one of the more explored and better studied areas in Italy fiom faunistic and zoogeographic points of View (Ruffo, 1957; AA.VV., 1971 ; Vigna Taglianti, 1980; Ruffo and Vigna Taglianti, 1988; Ruffo and Stoch, 2006). However, there has been insufficient research focused in this region about centipedes, a group of terrestrial arthropods of reliable faunistic, biogeographic and ecological interest (Zapparoli and Minelli, 2006). Only recently a catalogue of the species has been published (Zapparoli, 2006a) in which, besides offering a critical synthesis of the published information, is reported a conspicuous num- ber of unpublished faunistic records. This catalogue, together with some recent

Intraspecific variation in segment number in Pachymerium ferrugineum (C. L. Koch, 1835) (Chilopoda: Geophilomorpha) in the south Aegean Archipelago (north-east Mediterranean, Greece)

Geophilomorph centipedes have numerous leg-bearing segments, always an odd number. Previous research has shown the significant role of latitudinal clines and temperature on intraspecific variation, supporting the view that species of geophilomorphs from cold and temperate regions tend to have fewer segments than those from warmer regions. Here, data are presented on segment numbers of Pachymerium ferrugineum (C. L. Koch, 1835) from the south Aegean Archipelago. Within the framework of a study of the centipede fauna of the south Aegean Islands, three adjacent geographical areas with discrete geological histories were studied (Crete, Cyclades, and Dodecanese). There is no evidence to indicate that a latitudinal trend is present across these three main geographical regions. Apart from Crete, there is no demonstration of a cline along the longitudinal axis of the Aegean. However, the insular characteristics of the central and south-east Cyclades could possibly support higher modal segment numbers. In addition, examination of males and females of P. ferrugineum confirmed the existence of latitudinal clines in certain cases among the islands of Crete, Cyclades, and Dodecanese. © 2006 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2006, 88, 533–539.

THE CENTIPEDE FAUNA (CHILOPODA) OF CRETE AND ITS SATELLITE ISLANDS (GREECE, EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN)

An overview of the centipede fauna of Crete is presented, with distribution maps, based on the rich centipede collection of the Natural History Museum of Crete and existing data. Centipede records from the satellite islets of Crete are presented for the first time. Distribution patterns according to latitude/ longitude and altitude data of Crete are identified. The analysis of the faunistic elements showed that 25% of the Cretan centipedes have European and South European affinities, 36% have Mediterranean, Northeast, and East Mediterranean affinities, 12% are Balkanic, 10% have Palaearctic affinities, 5% have West Asiatic affinities, and 12% are Cretan endemics. Forty-two species and subspecies are recorded from Crete and the satellite islets. Strigamia acuminata is recorded for the first time from Greece, and 6 additional species (Lithobius lucifugus, L. pamukkalensis, Haploschendyla europea, Nannophilus eximius, Tuoba poseidonis, and Insigniporus sturanyi) are recorded for the first time from Crete. Da...

An illustrated key to the identification of centipedes (Chilopoda: Scolopendromorpha) of Kerala

Introduction Centipedes are an economically important group of arthropods playing valuable role in the control of noxious insect pests in the terrestrial ecosystem (Yadav, 1994). They are often treated as creatures of nuisance value owing to their poisonous nature and painful bite, particularly of the members of the family Scolopendridae. The microhabitat of all the centipedes is the wet and moist places and they inhabit the environs below rotten barks, dry foliage, stones, heap of cowdung etc. Being a tropical megadiversity country, India is gifted with a rich variety of centipede fauna. A perusal of the recent literature on the Indian fauna reveals that systematic studies on centipedes have so far been restricted mainly to Deccan Plateau, Western Ghats, Indian Desert, Western Himalaya, U.P, Delhi, Rajastan, and Gujarat (Jangi & Das, 1984; Yadav, 1993a,b,c; Khanna & Yadav, 1997; Khanna, 2001). Khanna (2001) checklisted 100 species of centipedes belonging to 11 genera under two families from India.

The centipede community of a beech forest in Magura National Park, Poland

As the result of a provisional study in 2001-2002 of the centipede fauna and community structure of a Carpathian Dentario glandulosae-Fagetum beech forest in the Magura National Park, Poland, 24 species or subspecies of Chilopoda have been revealed. This amounts to 41% of all centipede species currently reported from Poland. The most abundant and frequently encountered species are Lithobius burzenlandicus VERHOEFF (eudominant, euconstant), L. mutabilisL.KOCH and Strigamia acuminata (LEACH) (both eudominants, acces-sorial species). The community is characterised by a large proportion of woodland species (15) while the remaining forms are eurytopic. Among the most interesting records in the study area are the following mountain species rarely found in Poland: Dicellophilus carniolensis (C.L.KOCH), Strigamia transsilvanica (VERHOEFF), Cryptops parisi BROLEMANN, Lithobius lucifugus L.KOCH, L. silvivagus VERHOEFF, L. matici PRUNESCO and Harpolithobius anodus (LATZEL). The centipede population densities average 121 indiv./m2, ranging between 46 and 217 indiv./m2. Compared to other beech woodlands in Poland, the study forest is characterised by an exceptionally rich local faunaas well as the high centipede population densities. The community structure is very similar to that of the Carpathian beech forests in the Pieniny Mountains. The Chilopoda community features testify to the exceptional natural value of this area, which so far has never been studied in due detail.

Centipede communities on the inland dunes of eastern Flanders (Belgium)

During a year-round pitfall sampling campaign on twelve inland dunes in eastern Flanders, a total number of thirteen centipede species were caught. The encountered centipede fauna, with Lithobius calcaratus as the most ubiquitous species, was related to that of the Campine region that is also characterized by acid sandy soils. Community analysis on the basis of species composition revealed that the woody stations had a higher species diversity than the more open heath lands and moss dunes. Brachygeophilus truncorum and Cryptops hortensis were most characteristic for the woody stations whereas Lamyctes fulvicornis and Lithobius microps were more common in the open sites.

The present knowledge of the centipede fauna of Anatolia (Chilopoda)

Biogeographia - vol. XX — 1999 (Pubblicato il 31 ottobre 1999) Biogeografia de1|’AnatoIia The present knowledge of the Centipede fauna of Anatolia (Chilopoda) 1 MARZIO ZAPPAROLI Dipzzrrimento all Protezione delle Pizmte, Universitfz zlellzz Tuscizz, Via Szm Camilla de Lellis — [—01I00 Viterbo (Italy) Key words: Chilopoda, Anatolia, Turkey, checklist, zoogeography. SUMMARY On the basis of published records and original data collected between 1973-1993, a synthesis is presented of the present knowledge of the centipede Fauna of the Anatolian peninsula from faunisric and biogeographical points of view. The whole Anatolia within Turkey as it is politically constituted today is considered. One—hundred-twenry- three species have been recorded: 2 Scutigeromorpha (2 genera), 73 Lithobiomorpha (7 genera), 13 Scolopendro— morpha (2 genera), and 35 Geophilornorpha (15 genera). These values, however, are provisional, owing to the lack of faunistic knowledge and some unresolved taxonomic problems, especially for Geophilomorpha. For the zoogeographical analysis, 100 species have been considered. The main ehorological categories are represented as Follows: species widely spread in the Holarctic Region (17 species): W-Palearctic ( 1), Sibero—European (1), Centralasiatic- European (2), Turano-Europeo—Mediterranean (2), Turano-Mediterranean (2), Europeo-Mediterranean (1), SW- Asiatic (8); species more or less widely spread in Europe (23): European (5), Centraleuropean (5); S—European (13); species more or less widely spread in the Mediterranean countries (20): Mediterranean (9), E—Mediterranean (11); species widely spread in the Palearctic Region but occurring in small periferal areas of Western Palearetic region (2): Saharo—Turano—Sindian (1), NE—African—Sindian (1). The endemics of the Near East occurring in Anatolia (38 species) are arranged in the Following groups: N—Anatolian (= Pontic) (13), W—Anatolian (2), NW—Anatolian (3), Ponto- Caucasian (6), S-Anatolian (= Taurian) (8), Central Anatolian (1), Kurdish (4), Kolkhidan (1). The larger rate of endemics has been recorded in N—Anatolia, especially in E-Pontus, where it reaches about the 38% of the regional fauna. The rate ofendemics recorded in SE—Anatolia (5%) is very low but this figure could be influenced by the general lack of faunistic knowledge in this area. An annotated checklist of the species of centipedes of Turkey is also given (Appendix I), as well as a synthesis oftheir local distribution according to the presence in the natural regions and in the administrative provinces (Appendix H). The following new species and subspecies of Lithobiidae are described (Appendix H1): Lit/meizzs (Lit/whim) zzntanel/as n. sp., Lit/Jab/Tm (Lit/Jalziut) biamlii n. sp., Lit/ralziur (Sigilzim) dagzzlmyzzziterzris n. sp. and Lit/Jalzizzs (/l/[mzatzzr.rabi1z.t) mzznimttrii n. sp., all from E—Anatolia; Lit/Jabizzr {Lit/Jabizis) z'5pzzrte7z.tz'.t n. sp., Lit/Jobizzs (Lit/Jab/T115) pleriu: rmmlyrzzzus n. subsp. and Lit/Jabiu: (Lit/Jobz'z1r)ple5izz5 tzutliriai n. subsp., all from S—Anatolia (Mediterranean region); and Lit/Jobim (Lit/7017i!!!) rizemit n. sp., from E—Pontus. The following new synonymies are proposed: Lit/7abiu5 libel‘ Lignau, 1903 = Lit/Jabiut cilicizu Verhoeff, 1925 syn. nov.; Lit/Jonizzr l1'berLignau, 1903 = Tmnzzlim/.tp/mnetut Chamberlin, 1952 syn. nov.; Herzizz (Tut/cop/iilizs) /mrom Verhoeff, 1941 = Henizz mzgclvui Riharov, 1987 syn. nov. 1 Zoological researches in the Near East by the Universities ofRorne: 189. This study was partially supported by grants from MURST 1999 (University of “Roma Treq) “Variazione geografica e diversita a livello di specie, faune e zoocenosi: cause storiche ed ecologicheq.

I chilopodi delle isole circumsarde nel contesto del popolamento insulare dell' area tirrenica s.l.

BIOGEOGHAPHIA « vol. XVIII — 1995 (Pubb/icato i/ 31 ottobre 1995) Le piccole Isole Circumsarde e il Ioro significato Biogeografico I chilopodi delle isole circumsarde nel contesto del popolamento insulate dell’area tirrenica s.l. DONATELLA FODDAI (q‘), ALESSANDRO MINELLI (qq‘) e MARZIO ZAPPAROLI (H) (‘'9 Dipm*z‘z'meIzt0 dz‘ Bzblogzkz, UI2z'z2errz'tc2 tlegli Stutli, Via Trieste, 75 - 35121 Przdowz Dz'ptzrtz'me7zt0 (Ii Protezioize delle Pitmte, Um'vem’tzi della Tuscia, Via S. Ctmzillo de Lellir - 01100 Viterho Key words: centipedes, islands faunas, faunistics, equilibrium biogeograhy. SUMMARY 25 species of centipedes known from 40 circumsardinian islands (cs. i.) are critically discussed, in the context of West Mediterranean islands, from a faunistic and zoogeographic point of view. A maximum of 15 species has been found on one island (La Maddalena), the most characteristic centi~ pedes of the cs, i. being Brzzc/Jy.te/Je/m’_v/zz armzzta, Hydroxc/Jemlylzz 51/lmzzzrimz, Sc/Jezzdyla 721edfz.‘errm1ea and Clrizapader porezdo/zit. The Centipede fauna of the es. i. differs from that of Sardinia because of the poor representation of the Lithobiomorpha (19 species in Sardinia), perhaps on account of the little size of these islands and the lack of suitable habitats like woods and caves. The Centipede fauna of the little isle of Figarolo is peculiar, with 10 species on 0.211 Kmz only, these species include the interesting thyrrenian element Bn1e/Jyrc/Je/m'yla rm)/ata and the halobiont Geo];/Jilm poser- do/123‘. Some species, expected be present here on account of their wide distribution in Sardinia and in the other Western Mediterranean Italian islands (i.e. HiII1flIlfflI'illIIl gabrielix, Lit/70/7z'ur /m'cr0[1: and Geop/Jilzlr mrpap/mgr/X), have not been also found. All species of the cs. i. also occur in Sardinia, so we think that this fauna resulted from recent coloniza- tion events. , a High similarity exists both among the es. i. insisting on the same sector of Sardinia, and among those which insist on different sectors. However, we perceive a filter effect associated with the dimensions of the islands of the different archipelagos. \When comparing the centipedes of the Northeastern sector of Sardinia and those of the island groups insisting here, with those of the Tuscanian Archipelago, we find high similarity between this compartment and the Tuscanian Islands, moderate similarity between the Maddalena Archipelago and the Tuscanian one, and a low and decreasing similarity between the Northeastern Islands and Tavolara, and the Tuscanian Archipelago. _, This gradient is probably determined by the increasing distance between the islands comparedand by the different size of the islands. i For the cs. i. 7 species out of 25 account for the 65% of the species/island presences, similar values were found for the other West-mediterraiiean Italian Islands (34 islands; Corsica, Giraglia, Sicily and Sardinia excluded), where 65 °/o of the presences is accounted for by 15 species out of 56. Five species (Pzzc/Jy/7zerz'zmr ferrz/gz'Izez//71, Scalopemira carziderzr 0rzzm'eIzrz'r, Cryp/opt t)‘i.\'2tfCtltZt.X‘, 5tz'gI7zzzt0gtzi‘ter gmci[z's, Sci/tigerzz coleaptrzzta) are comprised amongst the 7 most commonly occurring ones, both for the cs. i. and for the other \West—Mediterranean Italian islands. 357

The Scolopendromorph Centipedes of North Carolina, with a Taxonomic Assessment of Scolopocryptops gracilis peregrinator (Crabill) (Chilopoda: Scolopendromorpha)

The scolopendromorph centipede fauna of North Carolina consists of eight species. Scolopocryptops sexspinosus (Say), S. nigridius McNeill, Theatops posticus (Say), and Cryptops hyalinus Say occur in all three physiographic provinces. Theatops spinicaudus (Wood) is prevalent in the Blue Ridge Province and western Piedmont Plateau, and Hemiscolopendra punctiventris (Newport) is widespread east of the mountains. Scolopendra viridis Say, ranging from the sandhills to the southeastern coastal islands, and Scolopocryptops peregrinator (Crabill), in Ashe County, are newly recorded from the state. The latter, ranging from southern Pennsylvania to northwestern North Carolina and westward to eastern Kentucky, is elevated from subspecific status under S. gracilis Wood.