Class Chilopoda Research Articles

Ecological factors affecting the spread of class Chilopoda of the group Myriapoda

Recently, the problem of preserving biodiversity on the planet has become increasingly relevant. Therefore, research on the ecological characteristics of organisms that play an important role in the functioning of biogeocoenoses is especially relevant. Chilipoda millipedes are one of these groups. Currently, many questions on the ecology of Chilopods, especially in the territory of Albania, remain unresolved. This motivates researchers to seek answers to these issues. The primary research aim is to analyse the specific features of the ecology of the Chilipoda millipedes inhabiting Vlora. The material used for the study was the author's collections of centipedes. Manual collection and soil sampling methods were used in the research. Determination of the taxonomic affiliation of centipedes was performed by examining the morphological features of centipedes under a stereoscopic microscope and further determining specimens with the help of determination keys. In the field under investigation, the Chilipoda fauna is represented by 6 species from 4 orders, 6 genera, and 5 families. Temperature and humidity have been shown to have a significant influence on the geographical distribution of chilopods: thus, the occurrence of centipedes in litter and the upper soil layer decreases significantly with the onset of drought. The character of flora plays a secondary role in the distribution of centipedes. It was established that soils with high content of humus and nitrogen are a favourable habitat for centipedes. The paper presents, for the first time for the Vlora region, data on the vertical distribution of S. coleoptrata along the soil profile. Scootigers preferred litter and did not migrate into the soil. Other representatives of Chilipoda were mainly found in the uppermost soil layer (0-10 cm), moreover Chilipoda were concentrated in the litter, and only a small part of them descended to a depth of 20 cm. The obtained results contribute to the knowledge of the ecological features of chilopods

The myriapod fauna (Chilopoda, Diplopoda) of the Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago, Vietnam

This paper provides the first data on myriapods in the Truong Sa archipelago (Vietnam). A total of 292 myriapod specimens identified 9 species in 7 genera, 6 families, 5 orders of two classes Chilopoda and Diplopoda were collected from 10 islands in the Spratly archipelago of Khanh Hoa province in Vietnam including Southwest Cay (Song Tu Tay), Sand Cay (Son Ca), Namyit island (Nam Yet), Grierson Reef (Sinh Ton Dong), Sin Cowe island (Sinh Ton), Pearson Reef (Phan Vinh), Central Reef (Truong Sa Dong), Spratly island (Truong Sa), West Reef (Da Tay), and Amboyna Cay (An Bang), , , during two surveys in October–November 2020 and May–June 2021. The class Chilopoda has 276 specimens of seven species, 6 genera, 5 families in three orders (Scolopendromorpha, Geophilomorpha, and Lithobiomorpha); The class Diplopoda has 16 specimens of 2 species, 2 genera, and 2 families in two orders (Polydesmida and Spirobolida). Among the recorded species, Rhysida longipes (Newport, 1845) were commonly recorded on all islands.

The millipedes and centipedes of Chiapas amber

An inventory of fossil millipedes (class Diplopoda) and centipedes (class Chilopoda) from Miocene Chiapas amber, Mexico, is presented, with the inclusion of new records. For Diplopoda, 34 members are enumerated, for which 31 are described as new fossil records of the orders Siphonophorida Newport, 1844, Spirobolida Bollman, 1893, Polydesmida Leach, 1895, Stemmiulida Pocock, 1894, and the superorder Juliformia Attems, 1926. For Chilopoda 8 fossils are listed, for which 3 are new records of the order Geophilomorpha Pocock, 1895 and 2 are of the order Scolopendromorpha Pocock, 1895.

Екоморфічна структура угруповань герпетобіонтних безхребетних техноземів нікопольського марганцеворудного басейну

Features of the community structure herpetobiont invertebrates were found with the ecomorphic approach from tehnosols formed as a result of many years of agricultural land reclamation in Nikopol manganese ore basin. Research was conducted at the research station of Dnipro State Agrarian University in city Pokrov. The area occupies part of the artificial plateau created on the site of the quarry mining manganese ore. On the plateau there are different types of tehnosems: pedosems (in the technical mixture of clays caused a layer of black soil with a capacity of 75-80 cm), sod-litogenic soils on the losses-like clay loams, gray-green clay and red-brown clay. On the slope of the southern exposure is an artificial forest plantations. Barber traps were installed in the experimental area in the period from 10 June to 5 July 2009 year (with an intermediate extraction of the material on 22 June). In each ecosystems were placed 3 Barber traps. The structure of the plant cover is the result of successions under the influence of edafic factors and interactions inside the vegetation groups. In the investigated man-made coenoses registered representatives of two types (Arthropoda and Mollusca), 6 classes and 12 ordo of the herpetobiont invertebrates. Class Arachnida is presented by ordo Aranei and Opiliones, Class Diplopoda is presented by ordo Julidae, Class Chilopoda is presented by Geophilomorpha, Lithobiomorpha, Scolopendromorpha, Scutigeromorpha. Class Insecta presented by ordo Coleoptera, Lepidoptera and Orthoptera. Class Malacostraca is presented by ordo Isopoda, class Gastropoda is presented by ordo Pulmonata. The beetles, spiders and Julida were found in all recultosems types. Gastropods distribution is limited by pedozems. Lice was observed in reforestation associations. It was shown that in the study area γ-diversity of the herpetobiont invertebrates community is 235 species. In coenotic aspect of herpetobiont groups are represented by all tsenomorfic diversity, which is typical for regional fauna. Stepants prevalence indicates that these groups should be attributed to monotsenosis steppe. Grouping of artificial forest plantations in pedozems may be described as pseudomonotsenosis steppe with forest component. Steppe regards cenotic component type indicates the prevalence of soil formation, which is inherent in the steppe zonal groups, namely - black soil type. But note is not much, but a permanent component coenotic structure provided pratants pratant-and-palyudants sylvants. This feature provides the basic features of the tehnosem group compared to the group of the zonal ecosystems. The presence of impermeable layers leads to waterlogging tehnosem layers that are above them. Creating tehnosem a sequence of layers that vary in particle size and foldable, the presence of a sharp boundary between them, leading to the formation of water regime which is different from the automorphic soil water regime. During the spring the soil soak continuous construction zone can be formed capillary-suspended moisture and formed a temporary waterlogged soils. Community is a steppe monoceonosis and presented the entire spectrum of ceonomorphes, which is typical for the regional herpetobiont fauna. Technosol organization is directly determined by environmental humidity mode, which can clearly be indicated via gigromorfic herpetobiont spectra. Trofotsenomorfic gerpetobiont community structure indicates a high level of potential fertility potential of the tehnosols and transformation of organic matter into humus accumulation direction.

Formation of Mesoherpetobionts Communities on a Reclamated Coal Open Pit Dump

The structure of the mesoherpetobionts arthropod communities of the reclamated dump of the Krasnobrodsky coal pit (Kemerovo region, Russia) has been studied. It was established that the pioneer grouping of mesoherpetobionts arthropod represented by classes of Chilopoda, Arachnida and Insecta-Ectognatha has been formed on the dump for two years after the soil deposition. From the Arachnida, the species of the order Aranei are the most active in the stocking of the dumps. From the class Chilopoda, the species of Lithobiomorpha appear the first on the dump. Insects from the following three orders, Heteroptera, Hymenoptera and especially Coleoptera take the main part in the expansion of dumps and the formation of primary communities. Among the Coleoptera, the beetles of the family of Carabidae (44 species, dynamic density 22.9 specimens/10 trapped per day) dominate. From them, small or medium-sized species are mainly involved in stocking the dumps. There are significant differences in the complexes of ground dump carabid beetles in comparison with the control group, differing in species composition of dominant species, species richness and species diversity parameters

A Catalogue of the Geophilomorpha Species (Myriapoda: Chilopoda) of Romania

AbstractA commented list of 42 centipede species from order Geophilomorpha present in Romania, is given. This comes to complete the annotated catalogue compiled by Negrea (2006) for the other orders of the class Chilopoda: Scutigeromorpha, Lithobiomorpha and Scolopendromorpha. Since 1972, when Matic published the first monograph on epimorphic centipeds from Romania in the series “Fauna României” as the results of his collaboration with his student Cornelia Dărăbanţu, the taxonomical status of many species has been debated and sometimes clarified. Some of the accepted modifications were included by Ilie (2007) in a checklist of centipedes, lacking comments on synonymies. The main goal of this work is, therefore, to update the list of known geophilomorph species from taxonomic and systematic point of view, and to include also records of new species.

Clawing through Evolution: Toxin Diversification and Convergence in the Ancient Lineage Chilopoda (Centipedes)

Despite the staggering diversity of venomous animals, there seems to be remarkable convergence in regard to the types of proteins used as toxin scaffolds. However, our understanding of this fascinating area of evolution has been hampered by the narrow taxonomical range studied, with entire groups of venomous animals remaining almost completely unstudied. One such group is centipedes, class Chilopoda, which emerged about 440 Ma and may represent the oldest terrestrial venomous lineage next to scorpions. Here, we provide the first comprehensive insight into the chilopod "venome" and its evolution, which has revealed novel and convergent toxin recruitments as well as entirely new toxin families among both high- and low molecular weight venom components. The ancient evolutionary history of centipedes is also apparent from the differences between the Scolopendromorpha and Scutigeromorpha venoms, which diverged over 430 Ma, and appear to employ substantially different venom strategies. The presence of a wide range of novel proteins and peptides in centipede venoms highlights these animals as a rich source of novel bioactive molecules. Understanding the evolutionary processes behind these ancient venom systems will not only broaden our understanding of which traits make proteins and peptides amenable to neofunctionalization but it may also aid in directing bioprospecting efforts.

Scolopendra bites: a report of two cases and review of the literature

Centipedes are arthropods belonging to the class Chilopoda. Approximately 3000 species have been described. Centipedes are found more commonly in tropical and subtropical countries. Centipedes possess venomous fangs. The Scolopendra represent the best-known genus of centipede. We describe two cases of severe skin reactions caused by Scolopendra subspinipes bites. Both patients were bitten on the hand. The clinical picture was characterized by severe erythematous edema. In addition, one patient presented with a blister. Both patients complained of severe pain. Laboratory examinations showed leukocytosis and an increase in erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). Complete remission was achieved within twoweeks by means of paracetamol and oral prednisone. Western dermatologists should be aware of the possibility of severe skin reactions caused by centipede bites.

Prey orientation and the role of venom availability in the predatory behaviour of the centipede Scolopendra subspinipes mutilans (Arthropoda: Chilopoda)

Many animal phyla contain clades in which most or all species are venom-injecting predators. An example, in the arthropods, is the class Chilopoda, containing the approximately 3500 species of centipedes. Very little ecological or behavioural work yielding quantitative data has been conducted on centipede predation. Here, we describe a study of this kind. Our experiments employed one centipede species – a large tropical one, Scolopendra subspinipes mutilans – and two species of prey – a cricket, Gryllus assimilis, and a locust, Schistocerca gregaria. We conducted two experiments. The first was aimed at investigating the extent to which the centipedes attacked prey in particular tagmata as opposed to at random over the whole body surface. The results showed that the centipedes were highly selective, preferring to attack the head or thorax rather than the abdomen; indeed, they often reoriented the prey in order to achieve this. A possible explanation of this behaviour is to maximize the speed with which the neurotoxins in the venom reach either the brain or the thoracic ganglia that control limb movement. The second experiment was aimed at investigating the effect of venom-extraction on the attack rate, and specifically at testing if the magnitude of any such effect differed between the two types of prey, which differ considerably in size. The results showed a major effect of venom extraction in relation to both types of prey, but with the time taken to return to a ‘normal’ attack rate being longer in the case of the larger prey-type, namely the locust. We discuss these results in relation to the ‘venom optimization hypothesis’ and, more generally, to the principle of minimizing the production/use of venom, which is an energetically expensive resource.

Myriapods (Myriapoda). Chapter 7.2

Alien myriapods in Europe have never been subject to a comprehensive review. Currently, 40 species belonging to 23 families and 11 orders can be regarded as alien to Europe, which accounts approximately for about 1.8% of all species known on the continent. Millipedes (Class Diplopoda) are represented by 20 alien species, followed by centipedes (Class Chilopoda) with 16, symphylans with 3 and pauropods with only 1. In addition there are numerous cases of continental species introduced to the Atlantic and Mediterra

Nomenclator generum et familiarum Chilopodorum II: A list of the genus- and family-group names in the Class Chilopoda from 1958 through 2005

Between 1 January 1958 and 31 December 2005, 62 genusand 8 family-group names were proposed for extant taxa in the class Chilopoda. All are catalogued herein along with two earlier generic names in the Geophilomorpha that have not been addressed. Accounts include citations and components for family-group names, and citations, genders, type-species and localities, and number of components for genus-group names; all but one typifications are by original designation. The species names “birket-smithi” and “nüeschi,” type-species of Phanothereua (Scutigeromorpha) and Asanadopsis (Scolopendromorpha), respectively, are emended to “birketsmithi” and “nueshi” to comply with articles in the Code prohibiting hyphens and diacritics in modern spellings. An alphabetical index is provided.

Edge effects and intraguild predation in native and introduced centipedes: evidence from the field and from laboratory microcosms

Human alteration of habitat has increased the proportion of forest edge in areas of previously continuous forest. This edge habitat facilitates invasion of exotic species into remaining fragments. The ability of native species to resist invasion varies and may depend on intrinsic variables such as dispersal and reproductive rates as well as external factors such as rate of habitat change and the density of populations of introduced species in edge habitat. We examined the distributional and competitive relationships of two members of the class Chilopoda, Scolopocryptops sexspinosus, a centipede native to the eastern US, and Lithobius forficatus, an exotic centipede introduced from Europe. We found that L. forficatus was most abundant in edge habitat and S. sexspinosus was most abundant in the interior habitat at our field sites. Although L. forficatus was present in habitat interiors at 11 of 12 sites, there was no correlation between fragment size and numbers of L. forficatus in interior habitat. The native centipede was rarely found occupying fragment edges. We used laboratory microcosms to examine potential competitive interactions and to indirectly assess prey preferences of the two species. In microcosms both species consumed similar prey, but the native centipede, S. sexspinosus, acted as an intraguild predator on the introduced centipede. Native centipedes were competitively superior in both intraspecific and interspecific pairings. Our results suggest that intraguild predation may aid native centipedes in resisting invasion of introduced centipedes from edge habitat.

Proteinuria associated with centipede bite

Sirs, Centipedes are arthropods of the class chilopoda. Depending on the species, centipedes can vary in length from 1 to 12 or more inches when mature. Centipedes vary in color from light yellow to dark brown. Centipedes are found worldwide, in temperate and tropical areas, including the Middle East and Mediterranean regions. Centipedes are chiefly nocturnal, live in humid environments, are venomous invertebrates and have exoskeleton and jointed legs. Centipede bites are benign common accidents and usually present with local pain, edema, and local hyperthermia [1]. The treatment includes analgesics and local anesthesia to decrease pain. Although steroids are still widely recommended in the literature to treat the toxic effects of animal bites and stings, they have no proven value. Steroids, antihistamines, and adrenaline are used when hypersensitivity reactions are involved. With centipede bites, however, it is not clear whether the local effect is toxic or allergic. Rhabdomyolysis and acute renal failure have been reported following the bite of the giant desert centipede Scolopendra heros [2]. Pericoronitis due to a centipede bite has also been described [3]. Proteinuria after centipede bites has not been previously reported. We report the first case of proteinuria developing after a centipede bite. A 15-year-old girl presented with mild local edema and pain in her left wrist 2 h after she had been bitten by a centipede. Her mother brought the dead 5-inch centipede that obviously belonged to the class chilopoda (Scolopendra species) that is common in the area. She was treated with oral paracetamol 500 mg b.i.d. Six days after the centipede bite, she still complained of local swelling and pain in the same wrist. Physical examination revealed local edema and erythema of her left wrist. The remaining physical examination was normal. Blood analysis including renal function, electrolytes, glucose, liver function, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, complement, antinuclear antibodies, albumin, and globulin were within the normal range (creatinine 0.8 mg/dl, albumin 4.2 g/dl). Urinalysis revealed specific gravity 1.025, protein 2+ without erythrocytes, leukocytes, or casts, and a 24-h urinary protein of 1.7 g/1.73 m per day. Abdominal ultrasonography showed normal kidneys. The local edema and erythema of her left wrist resolved within 3 days. The 24-h urinary protein was measured weekly (Fig. 1). The proteinuria increased to 2.8 g/1.73 m per day at 3 weeks after the centipede bite, decreased spontaneously and gradually with time, and disappeared after

Internal phylogeny of the Chilopoda (Myriapoda, Arthropoda) using complete 18S rDNA and partial 28S rDNA sequences.

The internal phylogeny of the 'myriapod' class Chilopoda is evaluated for 12 species belonging to the five extant centipede orders, using 18S rDNA complete gene sequence and 28S rDNA partial gene sequence data. Equally and differentially weighted parsimony, neighbour-joining and maximum-likelihood were used for phylogenetic reconstruction, and bootstrapping and branch support analyses were performed to evaluate tree topology stability. The results show that the Chilopoda constitute a monophyletic group that is divided into two lines, Notostigmophora (= Scutigeromorpha) and Pleurostigmophora, as found in previous morphological analyses. The Notostigmophora are markedly modified for their epigenic mode of life. The first offshoot of the Pleurostigmophora are the Lithobiomorpha, followed by the Craterostigmomorpha and by the Epimorpha s. str. (= Scolopendromorpha + Geophilomorpha), although strong support for the monophyly of the Epimorpha s. lat. (= Craterostigmomorpha + Epimorpha s. str.) is only found in the differentially weighted parsimony analysis.

Biomass estimates of terrestrial arthropods based on body length

The relationship between body length and biomass (dry weight) was investigated for nineteen taxa of terres trail arthropods and for the combined sample that included all insect taxa. The specimens were collected from forests of Bicholim taluk of Goa. Four models were evaluated, a linear function, a logarithmic function, a power function and an exponential function. The linear function best describes dry weights in the order Isopoda of class Crustacea and dictyopteran, coleopteran larvae of class Insecta. The logarithmic function fits well for only one group namely Opiliones of class Arachnida. The power functions fits best for Scutigeromorpha and Scolopendromorpha of class Chilopoda, Araneae of class Arachnida, Collembola, Thysanura, Orthoptera, Hemiptera, Homoptera, coleopteran adults, Diptera, lepidopteran adults and Hymenoptera of class Insecta and the combined data on adult insects. An exponential function fits well for the dermapteran and lepidopteran larvae of class Insecta. The usefulness of these estimates of Arthropod biomass in community ecology is discussed.

Opinion 454 Designation under the Plenary Powers of a type species in harmony with accustomed usage for Scolopendra Linnaeus, 1758 (class Chilopoda)

Opinion 454 Designation under the Plenary Powers of a type species in harmony with accustomed usage for Scolopendra Linnaeus, 1758 (class Chilopoda)