Geophilus arenarius

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Geophilus arenarius
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Myriapoda
Class: Chilopoda
Order: Geophilomorpha
Family: Geophilidae
Genus: Geophilus
Species:
G. arenarius
Binomial name
Geophilus arenarius
Meinert, 1870

Geophilus arenarius is a species of soil centipede in the family Geophilidae. [1] This centipede is found in Algeria. [2] As part of the carpophagus species-complex, this species is closely related to both G. carpophagus and G. easoni . [3]

Contents

Discovery

This species was first described by the Danish zoologist Frederik V.A. Meinert in 1870. [4] Meinert based this description on 36 syntypes, including 20 males and 16 females, all found east of Annaba in Algeria. Most of these specimens, including 20 males and 13 females, are deposited in the Natural History Museum of Denmark in Copenhagen. [3]

Distribution

This species is known only from the type locality, near Annaba in Algeria. Records of G. arenarius from various locations in Europe have not been confirmed by modern authors. These records are probably cases of mistaken identity and should be referred to either G. carpophagus or G. electricus . [3]

Description

Males of this species have 55 pairs of legs, whereas females have 55, 57, or 59 leg pairs, with 57 as the most common number. [3] [5] This centipede (when preserved in an ethanol solution) is a pale browninsh gray or greenish gray and nearly uniform in color. The body narrows only slightly toward the head but is more attenuated toward the posterior end. Specimens range from 18 mm to 35 mm in length. [3]

This species shares a distinctive set of features with G. carpophagus and G. easoni that places G. arenarius in the carpophagus species-complex. For example, all three species feature incomplete chitin-lines on the ventral surface of the forcipular segment. Furthermore, these species feature clusters of pores on the ventral surface of their leg-bearing segments from the first through the penultimate segment. These pores appear in transverse bands on the posterior side of these segments, entire in the anterior segments but divided in the middle in the posterior segments. Finally, these species also feature coxal pores on the ventral surface of the ultimate legs along the lateral margin of the sternite. [3] [6] [7] [8]

Other features, however, distinguish G. arenarius from the other species in the carpophagus species-complex. For example, G. arenarius differs from both G. carpophagus and G. easoni by lacking a transverse suture on the head as well as having relatively stouter antennae and forcipular coxosternite. Furthermore, the sternites in both G. carpophagus and G. easoni feature a carpophagus structure, in which a peg projecting from the posterior margin of one sternite is associated with a pit or socket in the anterior margin of the next sternite. This structure is absent in G. arenarius. [3] [8]

Several other features distinguish G. arenarius from G. carpophagus. For example, G. arenarius is distinctly smaller at full growth (3.5 cm long) than G. carpophagus (6.5 cm long). Furthermore, G. arenarius has tubercles lining the intermediate part of the labrum that are usually more stout, blunt, and sclerotised than the corresponding tubercles in G. carpophagus, which are usually more elongate, pointed, and transparent. Finally, G. arenarius features a minute pointed denticle at the base of the ultimate article of the forcipule, whereas G. carpophagus either lacks such denticle or features at most a shallow bulge at this site. [3] [8]

Another set of features distinguish G. arenarius from G. easoni. For example, G. arenarius has only 8 or 9 bristles lining the lateral parts of the labrum, where G. easoni has 15 to 23 bristles. Furthermore, G. easoni has fewer legs (only 45 to 49 pairs in males and 47 to 53 in females) than observed in G. arenarius. Finally, G. arenarius features a more greyish trunk than G. easoni, which has a tan or chestnut trunk. [3]

The species G. arenarius is sometimes confused with G. electricus. [9] Carpophagus structures are present in G. electricus, [10] [11] however, whereas these structures are absent in G. arenarius. [3] Furthermore, G. electricus features complete chitin-lines on the forcipular segment, [10] whereas these chitin-lines in G. arenarius are incomplete. [3] Finally, G. electricus can have as many as 75 leg pairs and usually has more than the number observed in G. arenarius. [10] [11]

Related Research Articles

Pachymerium is a genus of centipedes in the family Geophilidae found mainly in the west Palearctic region and in south Africa. Centipedes in this genus feature an elongate head, scattered coxal pores, and sternal pores in a pair of anterior groups and a posterior transverse band; the forcipular coxosternite is broad, and the ultimate article of the forcipule has a prominent basal denticle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Geophilidae</span> Family of centipedes

Geophilidae is a family of soil centipedes in the superfamily Geophiloidea and the order Geophilomorpha. In 2014, a phylogenetic analysis based on morphological and molecular data found this family to be polyphyletic. To avoid this polyphyly, authorities dismissed the families Aphilodontidae, Dignathodontidae, Linotaeniidae, and Macronicophilidae, which are now deemed to be junior synonyms for Geophilidae. Authorities also moved some genera from Geophilidae to form the family Zelanophildae in order to avoid the polyphyly of the family Geophilidae. The family Geophilidae now includes more than 650 species in more than 120 genera. This family has a cosmopolitan distribution, with species found almost worldwide.

<i>Geophilus hadesi</i> Species of centipede

Geophilus hadesi is a species of soil centipede in the family Geophilidae. This centipede is a troglobite, spending its entire life cycle in a cave environment. This species and Geophilus persephones are the only two troglobites known in the order Geophilomorpha. The species G. hadesi is named after Hades, god of the underworld in Greek mythology and the husband of Persephone, the namesake of the first troglobite discovered among the soil centipedes. The species G. hadesi has been observed in a cave as far as 1,100 meters below the surface, the deepest underground that any centipede has ever been recorded.

<i>Geophilus</i> Genus of centipedes

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.

Linotaeniidae are a monophyletic clade of soil centipedes in the family Geophilidae found mostly in the temperate regions of the Holarctic as well as the south Andes. Species in the clade Linotaeniidae are characterized by a body that usually tapers toward the anterior tip; mandibles with a single pectinate lamella; second maxillae with coxo-sternite usually undivided and claws without projections; forcipular segment short, with tergite remarkably wide, forcipules evidently tapering; coxal organs opening through distinct pores on the ventral surface of the coxo-pleura. The number of legs in this clade varies within as well as among species and ranges from as few as 31 pairs of legs to as many as 83 leg pairs. Compared to most families in the suborder Adesmata, this clade features a modest number of leg-bearing segments and limited variation in this number within each species.

Geophilus persephones is a species of soil centipede in the family Geophilidae discovered in 1999. This species is named after Persephone, the queen of the underworld in Greek mythology, and found in caves in the Gouffre de la Pierre Saint-Martin. It has elongated antennae and legs as well as abundant sensory setae, and like other geophilomorhps it lacks sight, has a flattened trunk, and is well adapted to underground life. This species was the first troglomorphic geophilomorph ever discovered and one of the only two in existence along with Geophilus hadesi. Known from a single male specimen measuring 16.2 mm in length, G. persephones has only 29 pairs of legs, one of only two species in the Geophilidae family to feature so few leg pairs.

Geophilus electricus is a species of soil centipede in the family Geophilidae found across temperate Europe, especially Britain and Ireland. Originally discovered and named Scolopendra electrica in 1758, it was later moved to its own genus, Geophilus. As the first species described in this genus, it is considered by some to be the type species. It is yellowish-orange in color and can grow up to 45 millimeters, with 55 to 75 leg pairs, a distinct carpophagus fossae on the anterior sternites, and a distinctive arrangement of the coxal pores of the last leg pair. Like many geophilomorphans, G. electricus has been known to glow in the dark, most likely as a defensive maneuver.

Geophilus impressus is a species of soil centipede in the family Geophilidae found all over Europe, and has also been recorded in North Africa. It lives frequently in endogean habitats; in Sardinia it's found mostly in Quercus ilex woods, but also in Mediterranean shrub, open habitats, and maquis. It lives anywhere from sea level to 1700 meters above it, sometimes in caves.

Geophilus richardi is a species of soil centipede in the family Geophilidae. This centipede is found in France and Monaco in the Western Alps and on the Italian mainland, Sicily, Sardinia, and the Ionian Islands. This species is notable as one of only two in the family Geophilidae to include centipedes with as few as 29 leg pairs.

Geophilus truncorum is a species of soil centipede in the family Geophilidae found across Western Europe, though it reaches as far as Poland, Italy, and Morocco. This centipede is relatively small, growing up to 20mm in length, with a yellow or orangeish brown body and dark yellow or brown head, denser and shorter hair than most Geophilus species, a main plate almost as elongated as in G. flavus (115:100), and distinct carpophagus fossae on the anterior sternites. Males of this species have 35 to 41 pairs of legs; females have 37 to 41.

Geophilus claremontus is a species of soil centipede in the family Geophilidae found in Claremont, California, after which it was named. It was incorrectly placed in the genus Brachygeophilus in 1929 by Attems, most likely based on the lack of sternal pores.

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.

Dinogeophilus is a genus of soil centipedes in the family Schendylidae. This genus contains only two species, Dinogeophilus pauropus and D. oligopodus, which range from 4.5 to 5.5 mm in length. These species are notable as the smallest not only in the order Geophilomorpha but also in any epimorphic order of centipedes. The species D. oligopodus is also notable as one of only six species of soil centipedes to feature only 29 pairs of legs and one of only two species to include females with only 29 pairs, the minimum number recorded for females in the order Geophilomorpha.

Geophilus oligopus is a species of soil centipede in the family Geophilidae. This centipede is found in several European countries, including Austria, the Czech Republic, Italy, Croatia, Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovenia, and Romania. Although this centipede has been described as having an Alpine-Dinaric distribution, this species has also been found in the Carpathian mountains and may be more widespread than previously thought.

Dicellophilus is a genus of soil centipedes in the family Mecistocephalidae. This genus was introduced by the American biologist Orator F. Cook in 1896 to contain the species D. limatus, which he explicitly designated as the type species. This genus contains four species and is notable for the highly disjunct geographic distribution of these species.

Dicellophilus carniolensis is a species of soil centipede in the family Mecistocephalidae. This centipede is well known and found in central Europe. This species features 43 pairs of legs, a number rarely found in the family Mecistocephalidae and recorded in only one other genus in this family: In the genus Tygarrup, an undescribed species found in the Andaman Islands also has 43 leg pairs.

Mecistocephalus evansi is a species of soil centipede in the family Mecistocephalidae. This centipede is notable for featuring 51 pairs of legs rather than the 49 leg pairs usually observed in the genus Mecistocephalus. This species was first described by the French myriapodologist Henry W. Brolemann in 1922. He based the original description of this species on a single female specimen found in the Maysan governorate on the Tigris river in Iraq.

Krateraspis sselivanovi is a species of soil centipede in the family Mecistocephalidae. This centipede is found in Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. This species is notable for featuring 53 leg pairs without any intraspecific variation. This number of legs is rarely observed in the family Mecistocephalidae and also appears to be the maximum number evidently fixed by species in the class Chilopoda.

Dinogeophilus oligopodus is a species of soil centipede in the family Schendylidae. This centipede ranges from 4.5 to 5.5 mm in length, the smallest size recorded not only in the order Geophilomorpha but also in any epimorphic order of centipedes. This species is also notable as one of only six species in the order Geophilomorpha to feature only 29 pairs of legs and one of only two species to include females with only 29 pairs, the minimum number recorded for females in this order.

Mecophilus tupiniquim is a species of soil centipede in the subfamily Aphilodontinae, a clade formerly known as the family Aphilodontidae but now deemed a subfamily within the family Geophilidae. This centipede is notable for its small size and modest number of legs. This species is found in Brazil.

References

  1. ↑ "Geophilus arenarius Meinert, 1870". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 29 October 2021.
  2. ↑ Bonato, L.; Chagas Junior, A.; Edgecombe, G.D.; Lewis, J.G.E.; Minelli, A.; Pereira, L.A.; Shelley, R.M.; Stoev, P.; Zapparoli, M. (2016). "Geophilus arenarius Meinert, 1870". ChiloBase 2.0 – A World Catalogue of Centipedes (Chilopoda). Retrieved 2024-06-08.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Bonato, Lucio; Minelli, Alessandro (2011-11-30). "Geophilus arenarius, a long-misunderstood species in the still unresolved carpophagus species-complex (Chilopoda: Geophilidae)". Zootaxa. 3114 (1): 40. doi:10.11646/zootaxa.3114.1.4. ISSN   1175-5334.
  4. ↑ Meinert, F. (1870). "Myriapoda Musaei Hauniensis. Bitrag til Myriapodernes morphologi og systematik. I. Geophile". Naturhistorisk Tidsskrift (in Latin and Danish). 7 (3): 1–128 [78] – via Münchener Digitalisierungs Zentrum.
  5. ↑ Attems, Carl (1929). Attems, Karl (ed.). Lfg. 52 Myriapoda, 1: Geophilomorpha (in German). De Gruyter. p. 182. doi:10.1515/9783111430638. ISBN   978-3-11-143063-8.
  6. ↑ Gregory, Steve; Barber, Tony (2010). "Observations of a population, including juveniles, of Geophilus carpophagus Leach, 1815, sensu stricto from Oxfordshire" (PDF). Bulletin of the British Myriapod & Isopod Group. 24: 2–15.
  7. ↑ Arthur, Wallace; Foddai, Donatella; Kettle, Chris; Lewis, John G.E.; Luczynski, MIROSLAW; Minelli, ALESSANDRO (2001-12-01). "Analysis of segment number and enzyme variation in a centipede reveals a cryptic species, Geophilus easoni sp. nov., and raises questions about speciation". Biological Journal of the Linnean Society. 74 (4): 489–499. Bibcode:2001BJLS...74..489A. doi:10.1006/bijl.2001.0601. ISSN   0024-4066.
  8. 1 2 3 Bonato, Lucio; Edgecombe, Gregory; Lewis, John; Minelli, Alessandro; Pereira, Luis; Shelley, Rowland; Zapparoli, Marzio (2010-11-18). "A common terminology for the external anatomy of centipedes (Chilopoda)". ZooKeys (69): 17–51. Bibcode:2010ZooK...69...17B. doi: 10.3897/zookeys.69.737 . ISSN   1313-2970. PMC   3088443 . PMID   21594038.
  9. ↑ Ion, Mihaela C. (2016). "A Catalogue of the Geophilomorpha Species (Myriapoda: Chilopoda) of Romania" (PDF). Travaux du Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle "Grigore Antipa". 58 (1–2): 17–32 [22–23]. doi:10.1515/travmu-2016-0001. S2CID   88829599 . Retrieved 29 October 2021.
  10. 1 2 3 Bonato, Lucio; Zapparoli, Marzio; Drago, Leandro; Minelli, Alessandro (2016-09-21). "An unusually elongate endogeic centipede from Sardinia (Chilopoda: Geophilidae)". European Journal of Taxonomy (231): 1–19 [5, 13]. doi:10.5852/ejt.2016.231. hdl: 11577/3189380 . ISSN   2118-9773.
  11. 1 2 "Geophilus electricus | British Myriapod and Isopod Group". bmig.org.uk. Retrieved 2024-07-21.
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