| Lithobius | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Lithobius forficatus in Germany | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Myriapoda |
| Class: | Chilopoda |
| Order: | Lithobiomorpha |
| Family: | Lithobiidae |
| Genus: | Lithobius Leach, 1814 |
| Type species | |
| Scolopendra forficata | |
Lithobius is a large genus of centipedes in the family Lithobiidae, commonly called stone centipedes, common centipedes or brown centipedes.
Most Lithobius species are typical representatives of the family Lithobiidae. They are about 2–5 centimetres (0.8–2.0 in) long and brownish in colour. The adult's body has 18 segments, and 15 pairs of legs. [2] The special characteristics include the dispersed openings of coxal glands of the last pair of legs.
Stone centipedes are found under stones or bark, in soil and decaying matter. Some are common in gardens. Lithobius forficatus is the most abundant centipede species in Europe. Like other centipedes, they are more active at night. They feed on insects and other small invertebrates. The eggs are deposited singly in soil. [2] The lifespan can be over 3 years.
The genus Lithobius was erected in 1814 by William Elford Leach, in an article published in David Brewster's Edinburgh Encyclopædia . [1] The name derives from two Greek roots, λίθος (lithos, "stone") and βίος ( bio- , "life"). [3] Leach did not designate a type species, and none was selected until Pierre André Latreille chose Scolopendra forficataLinnaeus, 1758 (now Lithobius forficatus ). [1] Lithobius is the name-giving genus for the family Lithobiidae. [1]
Lithobius is one of about 100 genera or subgenera in the subfamily Lithobiinae. It contains over 500 species and numerous subspecies. [4] The classification of species inside the genus is a matter of discussion too. Some authors divide the genus into subgenera Eulithobius, Lithobius, Monotarsobius, Neolithobius, Pleurolithobius, Pseudolithobius, Sigibius, Thracolithobius and Troglolithobius.
The genus Lithobius includes the following species: [4]
Scolopendridae is a family of large centipedes.
Cormocephalus is a genus of centipedes of the family Scolopendridae, containing the following species:
Scolopendra is a species-rich genus of large tropical centipedes of the family Scolopendridae.
Myriapodology is the scientific study of myriapods which includes centipedes and millipedes. The field of myriapodology can also cover other myriapods such as pauropods and symphylans. Those who study myriapods are myriapodologists.
Spirostreptus is a genus of giant millipedes of the family Spirostreptidae. It contains the following species:
Julidae is a family of millipedes in the order Julida, containing more than 600 species in around 20 genera. Its members are largely confined to the Western Palaearctic, with only a few species extending into the Oriental and Afrotropical realms. They are united by a characteristic form of the mouthparts, and are classified in the superfamily Juloidea of the order Julida, alongside the families Trichoblaniulidae, Rhopaloiulidae and Trichonemasomatidae.
Julus is a genus of millipedes in the family Julidae, containing the following species:
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.
Bothropolys is a genus of centipedes in the family Lithobiidae.
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.
Dignathodontidae is a monophyletic clade of soil centipedes in the family Geophilidae found in the Mediterranean region, extending to Macaronesia, Caucasus, and western and central Europe. The clade is characterized by a gradually anteriorly tapered body, a short head with non-attenuated antennae, and a poorly sclerotized labrum with tubercles. The number of legs in this clade varies within as well as among species and ranges from 43 pairs to 153 pairs of legs. Species in this clade tend to have more leg-bearing segments and greater intraspecific variability in this number than generally found in the family Geophilidae.
Cryptops sometimes known as cave centipedes, is a centipede genus in the family Cryptopidae; species records have a world-wide distribution.
Otostigmus is a genus of centipedes in the family Scolopendridae. It was first described by Swedish naturalist Carl Oscar von Porat in 1876. The genus as a whole comprises around 157 species, found primarily in the Neotropics.
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.
Orphnaeus is a genus of centipedes in the family Oryidae. This genus was described by Danish entomologist Frederik Vilhelm August Meinert in 1870. Centipedes in this genus are found in tropical regions.
Schendyla is a genus of soil centipedes in the family Schendylidae. These centipedes are found in the west Palearctic region. This genus was described by Danish entomologists Vilhelm Bergsøe and Frederik Vilhelm August Meinert in 1866. This genus now includes more than 20 species.
Lamyctes is a genus of centipedes in the family Henicopidae. It was described by Danish entomologist Frederik Vilhelm August Meinert in 1868.
Australobius is a genus of centipedes in the family Lithobiidae. It was described by American biologist Ralph Vary Chamberlin in 1920.
Otostigminae is a large subfamily of centipedes, containing nearly half of all species in the family Scolopendridae. Members of this subfamily are abundant and widespread throughout the tropical and subtropical regions of the world, mostly in Africa, Asia, and Australia.
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