| Craterostigmus crabilli | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Craterostigmus crabilli | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Myriapoda |
| Class: | Chilopoda |
| Order: | Craterostigmomorpha |
| Family: | Craterostigmidae |
| Genus: | Craterostigmus |
| Species: | C. crabilli |
| Binomial name | |
| Craterostigmus crabilli Edgecombe & Giribet, 2008 | |
Craterostigmus crabilli is a species of small centipede in the order Craterostigmomorpha. It is endemic to New Zealand. [1] [2] [3]
C. crabilli is one of two species in the order Craterostigmomorpha. [4] It was named in honour of Ralph E. Crabill Jr (1925-1992), [5] who had intended to describe the species within his lifetime. [6]
C. crabilli is a small centipede, and is generally smaller than its Tasmanian counterpart in the genus, C. tasmanianus . [6] According to a 2008 paper, the largest specimen recorded had a body length of 3.7 cm, [6] however, other sources say C. crabilli can attain 5 cm in length. [1] It is variable in colour, and the body can range from pale orange to shades of brown. [1] [6] The head is reddish brown and large, and the maxillipedes (forcipules) [7] are extremely large and clearly visible from above. [1]
The species occurs in the South Island. The type locality is Governor’s Bush, Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park. [8]
The Craterostigmomorpha are the least diverse centipede clade, comprising only two extant species, both in the genus Craterostigmus. Their geographic range is restricted to Tasmania and New Zealand. There is a single ocellus on each side of the head capsule. They have a distinct body plan; their anamorphosis comprises a single stage: in their first moult, they grow from having 12 trunk segments to having 15. Adult centipedes in this order, like those in Scutigeromorpha and Lithobiomorpha, have 15 leg-bearing segments. Their low diversity and intermediate position between the primitive anamorphic centipedes and the derived Epimorpha has led to them being likened to the platypus. They represent the survivors of a once diverse clade. Maternal brooding unites the Craterostigmomorpha with the Epimorpha into the clade Phylactometria which includes Craterostigmomorpha, Scolopendromorpha and Geophilomorpha. This trait is thought to be closely linked with the presence of sternal pores, which secrete sticky or noxious secretions, which mainly serve to repel predators and parasites. The presence of these pores on the Devonian Devonobius which is included in own order Devonobiomorpha permits its inclusion in this clade, allowing its divergence of Lithobiomorpha from Phylactometria to be dated to 375 million years ago.
Himantariidae is a monophyletic family of centipedes in the order Geophilomorpha and superfamily Himantarioidea, found almost exclusively in the Northern Hemisphere. The number of leg-bearing segments in this family varies within as well as among species and ranges from 47 to 181. These centipedes are very elongated with a high mean number of trunk segments and great variability in this number within species. The maximum number of legs recorded in this family appears in the species Chomatobius bakeri. The minimum number of legs recorded in this family appears in the species Garriscaphus oreines, This family contains these genera:
Himantarium is a genus of centipedes in the family Himantariidae. Centipedes in this genus range from 10 cm to 20 cm in length, have from 87 to 179 pairs of legs, and are found in the Mediterranean region. Both the minimum and the maximum number of legs in this genus appear in the species Himantarium gabrielis, which exhibits a striking degree of intraspecific variation in leg number.
Strigamia is a genus of soil centipedes in the family Linotaeniidae. Members of this family can be identified by their anteriorly tapering bodies, the extra claw on the forcipules, scattered coxal pores, and the distinctly swollen ultimate legs of the males. There are at least 50 described species in Strigamia. Centipedes in this genus can reach 15 cm in length and can have as few as 31 pairs of legs or as many as 83 leg pairs. The species S. hoffmani is notable for its small size as well as for a small number of legs. Other species with notably few legs include S. sibirica and S. lutea.
Ballophilidae is a monophyletic group of centipedes belonging to the order Geophilomorpha and superfamily Himantarioidea. Authorities now dismiss this group as a family, citing phylogenetic analysis, and instead refer to this clade as Ballophilinae, a possible subfamily within the family Schendylidae. The number of legs in this clade varies within species and ranges from 37 to 113 pairs of legs. Two species in this clade can have as few as 37 leg pairs, Ballophilus pallidus and Leucolinum trinidadense, and one species, Ityphilus grandis, can have as many as 113 pairs. Species in this clade tend to have more leg-bearing segments and greater intraspecific variability in this number than generally found in the family Schendylidae.
Craterostigmus tasmanianus, also known as the Tasmanian remarkable centipede, is a species of Tasmanian centipede endemic and widespread on the island.
Steneurytion is a genus of centipedes in the family Geophilidae. It was first described by Austrian myriapodologist Carl Attems in 1909.
Tasmanophilus is a genus of two species of centipedes, in the family Zelanophilidae. It was described by American biologist Ralph Vary Chamberlin in 1920. Centipedes in this genus are found in Australia and New Zealand.
Australiophilus is a genus of two species of centipedes, in the family Zelanophilidae. It was described by German myriapodologist Karl Wilhelm Verhoeff in 1925.
Australiophilus longissimus is a species of centipede in the Zelanophilidae family. It is endemic to Australia, and was first described in 1925 by German myriapodologist Karl Wilhelm Verhoeff.
Tuoba is a genus of 17 species of centipedes, in the family Geophilidae. It was described by American biologist Ralph Vary Chamberlin in 1920.
Zelanophilus is a genus of three species of centipedes, in the family Zelanophilidae. It was described by American biologist Ralph Vary Chamberlin in 1920.
Zelanophilus pococki is a species of centipede in the Zelanophilidae family. It was first described in 1963 by R.E. Crabill.
Dichelobius etnaensis is a species of centipede in the Henicopidae family. It is endemic to Australia. It was first described in 2004.
Tasmanophilus spenceri is a species of centipede in the Zelanophilidae family. It is endemic to New Zealand. It was first described in 1901 by British zoologist Reginald Innes Pocock. The species epithet spenceri honours British-Australian evolutionary biologist Baldwin Spencer.
Maoriella is a genus of centipedes in the family Geophilidae. It was described by Austrian myriapodologist Carl Attems in 1903. Species in this genus are found in New Zealand, Australia, and Tahiti.
Maoriella ecdema is a species of centipede in the Geophilidae family. It is endemic to New Zealand. It was first described in 1964 by American zoologist Ralph Crabill.
Marshallopus is a monotypic genus of centipedes in the family Oryidae. It was described by German myriapodologist Karl Wilhelm Verhoeff in 1937. The sole species is Marshallopus platypedatus.
Ityphilus is a genus of centipedes in the family Ballophilidae. It was described by American myriapodologist Orator Fuller Cook in 1899. Centipedes in this genus range from 2 cm to 9 cm in length and have 41 to 113 pairs of legs. The large species Ityphilus grandis can reach 93 mm in length and have as many as 113 leg pairs, the maximum number found in the Ballophilidae.
Marsikomerus is a genus of centipedes in the family Schendylidae. It was described by Austrian myriapodologist Carl Attems in 1938. Species in this genus are found in Mexico and in the United States.