| Craterostigmus tasmanianus | |
|---|---|
 | |
| [1] | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Myriapoda |
| Class: | Chilopoda |
| Order: | Craterostigmomorpha |
| Family: | Craterostigmidae |
| Genus: | Craterostigmus |
| Species: | C. tasmanianus |
| Binomial name | |
| Craterostigmus tasmanianus Pocock, 1902 | |
Craterostigmus tasmanianus, also known as the Tasmanian remarkable centipede, [2] [3] is a species of Tasmanian centipede endemic and widespread on the island. [4] [5] [6]
Craterostigmus tasmanianus is a small, greenish or yellowish-brown centipede, growing up to 50 millimetres (2.0 in) in length. [2] [7] [5] [8] It has a long reddish-brown head with a single ocellus on either side of the cephalic plate (head shield), [9] and dark reddish-brown forcipules extending visibly forward past the plate. [8] [2] [10] It cannot be distinguished from Craterostigmus crabilli on a basis of colour. [11] The antennae taper, are divided into 17 or 18 articles (antennomeres), are recorded as about one quarter the length of the head, and are hirsute, especially closer to the tips. [8] [2] [9] The species is generally slow-moving. [2] Adults have 15 pairs of legs and 21 tergites. [2]
Craterostigmus tasmanianus is widespread across Tasmania (and especially common in the west), as well as other nearby islands, but not on the mainland. It is found in a variety and elevations, ranging from sea-level to highland (up to 1300 m), but is restricted to woodland habitats, both dry and wet. [2] [5] [7] In drier areas, it is restricted microhabitats such as leaf litter, piled rocks rotting logs, and deep humus. [2] [7] [5] The record for average density is one specimen per 12 m2, from a 1992 hand-collecting expedition (in Nothofagus forest). [5]
The brood chambers of C. tasmanianus are usually cavities in damp rotting logs or excavations in the soil. [2] [5] [7] The breeding season runs from November to February, and brooding occurs between September and April. [7] [5] Like members of the Scolopendramorph and Geophilmorph orders, the mother coils around the eggs and early instars to guard them. [2] [7] Hatchlings emerge from the eggs with 12 pairs of legs, then gain three final ones in their first moult. [4] [5] [7] [2] They then disperse in winter into the leaf litter. [5] Mothers have been recorded to lay anywhere between 44 and 77 eggs at a time. [5] [2]
The diet of C. tasmanianus remains unknown, but several theories have been advanced. It may prey on other arthropods, such as isopods, millipedes, beetles, amphipods, maggots, mites, springtails, and even other centipedes. [5] [7] [2] In captivity, they can be sustained on flies, crickets, and isopods, and have been observed using their forcipules to dig into termite mounds for food, although this behaviour has not yet been observed in the wild. [2] [5] Some sources suggest that it may be a specialist predator on termites and other burrowing insects. [5]
Craterostigmus tasmanianus was described in 1902 by Reginald Innes Pocock. [12] The type specimen was found on the summit of Mount Rumney, outside the city of Hobart. [5] It is the type species of the genus Craterostigmus, and was, until 2008 when C. crabilli was named, the only species in the genus. [4] [11] Records of C. tasmanianus from New Zealand are almost certainly C. crabilli. [9]
Centipedes are predatory arthropods belonging to the class Chilopoda of the subphylum Myriapoda, an arthropod group which includes millipedes and other multi-legged animals. Centipedes are elongated segmented (metameric) creatures with one pair of legs per body segment. All centipedes are venomous and can inflict painful stings, injecting their venom through pincer-like appendages known as forcipules or toxicognaths, which are actually modified legs instead of fangs. Despite the name, no species of centipede has exactly 100 legs; the number of pairs of legs is an odd number that ranges from 15 pairs to 191 pairs.
Scolopendridae is a family of large centipedes.
Scolopendromorpha is an order of centipedes also known as tropical centipedes or bark centipedes. This order includes about 700 species in five families. These centipedes are found nearly worldwide, with tropical and subtropical regions providing the richest diversity in species. This order includes the only known amphibious centipedes, Scolopendra cataracta, Scolopendra paradoxa, and Scolopendra alcyona.
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.
Geophilus flavus is a terrestrial, soil-dwelling, species of centipede in the Geophilidae family. G. flavus occurs in a range of habitats across central Europe, North America, Australia and other tropical regions. Geophilomorph centipedes, like centipedes generally, are primary predators, hunting predominantly in underground soil burrows or above ground leaf litter. Their consumption behaviours are influenced by environment and seasonal factors. Given their lack of economic value and marginal medical significance, G.flavus remains largely understudied in mainstream research. Some recent studies have detailed the evolutionary development of G.flavus and Geophilidae generally, illustrating developed predatory features like forcipule venom glands.
Scolopocryptopidae is a family of blind centipedes in the order Scolopendromorpha. The number of leg-bearing segments is fixed at 23 for species in this family, which distinguishes the species in this family from all other centipede species. This family includes more than 90 species.
Geophilus is a large, heterogeneous genus of soil centipedes in the family Geophilidae largely considered to be synonymous with Brachygeophilus. The generic name first appeared in Brewster's Edinburgh Encyclopaedia in 1814 as Geophilus electricus. This genus has a Holarctic distribution.
Strigamia is a genus of soil centipedes in the family Linotaeniidae found in temperate parts of the Holarctic region. 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. The generic name is from Latin striga, "strip," referring to its strip of bristles.
Craterostigmus is a genus of centipedes belonging to the Craterostigmidae family. The species are found in Australasia. Craterostigmus species, especially C. tasmanianus, are an evolutionarily important group of centipedes known for their unique genetic, sensory, and ecological adaptations. Their distinct phylogenetic position highlights their independent evolutionary history within myriapods, underscoring their significance in studies of centipede evolution and the biodiversity of Tasmania. They have elliptical, bipartite eye, which is located fronto-laterally on either side of their head and their body has lots of morphological peculiarities
Craterostigmus crabilli is a species of small centipede in the order Craterostigmomorpha. It is endemic to New Zealand.
Steneurytion is a genus of centipedes in the family Geophilidae. This genus was first described by Austrian myriapodologist Carl Attems in 1909. These centipedes are found in Australia, New Zealand, and Hawaii.
Geomerinus is a monotypic genus of centipedes in the family Geophilidae. It was described by French myriapodologist Henry Wilfred Brolemann in 1912. Its sole species is Geomerinus curtipes, originally described as Geophilus curtipes by Erich Haase in 1887. It is endemic to Australia.
Steneurytion morbosus is a species of centipede in the Geophilidae family. This species was first described in 1877 by New Zealand naturalist Frederick Hutton. Authorities would later deem Pachymeroides alter, Zelanion paucipes, and Zelanion similis to be junior synonyms. Some authorities do not include this species in the genus Steneurytion.
Tasmanophilus is a genus of centipedes in the family Zelanophilidae. This genus was described by American biologist Ralph Vary Chamberlin in 1920. Centipedes in this genus are found in Australia and New Zealand. This genus contains only two species.
Pachymerellus zygethus is a species of centipede in the Geophilidae family. It is endemic to Australia and New Zealand, and was first described in 1920 by American biologist Ralph Vary Chamberlin.
Tuoba is a genus of 17 species of centipedes, in the family Geophilidae. This genus was described by American biologist Ralph Vary Chamberlin in 1920. These centipedes are found in coastal regions and islands in the Mediterranean and in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian oceans.
Tuoba laticeps is a species of centipede in the Geophilidae family. It is endemic to Australia, and was first described in 1891 by British zoologist Reginald Innes Pocock.
Tuoba sydneyensis is a species of centipede in the Geophilidae family. It was first described in 1891 by British zoologist Reginald Innes Pocock.
Zelanophilus is a genus of three species of centipedes, in the family Zelanophilidae. This genus was described by American biologist Ralph Vary Chamberlin in 1920. Centipedes in this genus are found in Australia and New Zealand.
Tasmanophilus spenceri is a species of centipede in the family Zelanophilidae. This centipede is found only in New Zealand and has only 39 pairs of legs, the minimum number recorded in the family Zelanophilidae. This species reaches only 23 mm in length and is the smallest centipede in this family.