Lithobius variegatus

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Lithobius variegatus
Banded Centipede - Lithobius variegatus - Flickr - gailhampshire (1).jpg
Scientific classification Red Pencil Icon.png
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Chilopoda
Order: Lithobiomorpha
Family: Lithobiidae
Genus: Lithobius
Species:
L. variegatus
Binomial name
Lithobius variegatus
Leach, 1814  [1]

Lithobius variegatus is a species of centipede found in Europe, sometimes called the common banded centipede or banded centipede.

Lithobius variegatus can be distinguished from its close relative Lithobius forficatus by the presence of conspicuous purple or brown rings around its legs. [2] It preys on small invertebrates such as woodlice (including Philoscia muscorum , Oniscus asellus , Porcellio scaber , and Androniscus dentiger ) and millipedes, including Polydesmus angustus and Tachypodoiulus niger . It, in turn, is eaten by birds such as magpies and blackbirds. [2]

For a long time, it was thought that L. variegatus was endemic to the British Isles, but populations were later discovered in the Channel Islands, Brittany, northwestern Spain, and northern Portugal. [3] There are also records from southern Italy, Morocco, and Tunisia, making it a good example of a member of the Lusitanian fauna – species found in the western Mediterranean region and extending northwards to the British Isles, but avoiding most of North-West Europe. [3]

Lithobius variegatus also contains the subspecies L. v. rubripes, which was formerly treated as a separate species. It is more widespread in Western Europe and lacks the banding pattern on the legs. [3]

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<i>Scutigera coleoptrata</i> Species of arthropod

Scutigera coleoptrata is a conspicuous, typically yellowish-grey centipede with up to 15 pairs of long legs. Originating in the Mediterranean region, the species has spread to other parts of the world, where it can live in human homes, thus gaining the name house centipede. It is an insectivore; it kills and eats other arthropods, such as insects and arachnids.

<i>Scolopendra heros</i> Species of centipede

Scolopendra heros, commonly known as the giant desert centipede, giant Sonoran centipede, Texas redheaded centipede, and giant redheaded centipede, is a species of North American centipede found in the Southwestern United States and Northern Mexico.

Common frog Species of amphibian

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Chinese red-headed centipede

The Chinese red-headed centipede, also known as the Chinese red head, is a centipede from East Asia and Australasia. It averages 20 cm (8 in) in length and lives in damp environments.

<i>Lithobius</i> Genus of centipedes

Lithobius is a large genus of centipedes in the family Lithobiidae, commonly called stone centipedes, common centipedes or brown centipedes.

<i>Lithobius forficatus</i> Species of centipede

Lithobius forficatus, most commonly known as the brown centipede or stone centipede, is a common European centipede of the family Lithobiidae, although its distribution is not exclusive to Europe. It is between 18 and 30 mm long and up to 4 mm broad and is a chestnut brown color.

<i>Scolopendra subspinipes</i> Species of centipede

Scolopendra subspinipes is a species of very large centipede found throughout eastern Asia. One of the most widespread and common species in the genus Scolopendra, it is also found on virtually all land areas around and within the Indian Ocean, all of tropical and subtropical Asia from Russia to the islands of Malaysia and Indonesia, Australia, South and Central America, the Caribbean islands, and possibly parts of the southern United States, but how much of this range is natural and how much due to human introduction is unclear. With a wide geographic range and numerous color variations, the species is known by a great many common names, including Chinese red-headed centipede,jungle centipede, orange-legged centipede, red-headed centipede,, Hawaiian centipede, and Vietnamese centipede.

<i>Scolopendra</i> Genus of centipedes

Scolopendra is a species-rich genus of large tropical centipedes of the family Scolopendridae.

<i>Glomeris marginata</i> Species of millipede

Glomeris marginata is a common European species of pill millipede. It is a short millipede, rounded in cross-section, which is capable of rolling itself up into a ball ("volvation") when disturbed. This behaviour is also found in the pill woodlouse Armadillidium, with which G. marginata is often confused.

<i>Tachypodoiulus niger</i> Species of millipede

Tachypodoiulus niger, known variously as the white-legged snake millipede or the black millipede, is a European species of millipede. It is very similar to other species such as Cylindroiulus londinensis, from which it can be reliably distinguished only by studying the shape of the telson. It occurs in Ireland, Britain, Spain, France, Benelux, Germany, Switzerland, Austria and the Czech Republic, and is especially common on chalky and limestone soils.

Western banded gecko Species of lizard

The western banded gecko is a species of gecko found in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Five subspecies are recognized.

<i>Trichoniscus pusillus</i> Species of woodlouse

Trichoniscus pusillus, sometimes called the common pygmy woodlouse, is one of the five most common species of woodlice in the British Isles. It is acknowledged to be the most abundant terrestrial isopod in Britain. It is found commonly across Europe north of the Alps, and has been introduced to Madeira, the Azores and North America.

Julida Order of millipedes

Julida is an order of millipedes. Members are mostly small and cylindrical, typically ranging from 10–120 millimetres (0.39–4.72 in) in length. Eyes may be present or absent, and in mature males of many species, the first pair of legs is modified into hook-like structures. Additionally, both pairs of legs on the 7th body segment of males are modified into gonopods.

<i>Cryptops hortensis</i> Species of centipede

Cryptops hortensis is a species of centipede in the family Cryptopidae, genus Cryptops. This species is found in all of Europe except for: the Baltic states, Andorra, Belarus, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Moldova, Russia, Vatican City and various European islands.

<i>Meloe variegatus</i> Species of beetle

Meloe variegatus is a European oil beetle. It is commonly known as the variegated oil beetle. Adult beetles feed on leaves and can be pests of crops, while the larvae are parasitic on solitary bees.

References

  1. "Lithobius variegatus Leach, 1814". SysTax. Universität Ulm, Ruhr-Universität Bochum . Retrieved 2009-02-12.
  2. 1 2 "Banded centipede — Lithobius variegatus". Natural England. Archived from the original on 2009-03-24. Retrieved 2009-02-12.
  3. 1 2 3 E. H. Eason & A. Serra (1986). "On the geographical distribution of Lithobius variegatus Leach, 1814, and the identity of Lithobius rubriceps Newport, 1845 (Chilopoda: Lithobiomorpha)". Journal of Natural History . 20 (1): 23–29. doi:10.1080/00222938600770031.