Mecistocephalidae

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Mecistocephalidae
Tygarrup javanicus.png
Tygarrup javanicus
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Myriapoda
Class: Chilopoda
Order: Geophilomorpha
Suborder: Placodesmata
Bollman, 1893
Family: Mecistocephalidae
(Bollman, 1893)
Genera

See text

Mecistocephalidae is a monophyletic family of centipedes in the order Geophilomorpha. It is the only family in the suborder Placodesmata. [1] [2] [3] Most species in this family live in tropical or subtropical regions, but some occur in temperate regions. [4] This family is the third most diverse in the order Geophiliomorpha (after Geophilidae and Schendylidae), [5] with about 170 species, [6] including about 130 species in the genus Mecistocephalus . [4]

Contents

Description

Species of this family are characterized by an elongated head with lateral margins converging backwards; first maxillae with relatively elongate coxosternite, and coxal projections much wider than telopodites, both ending with a distinctly hyaline part; second maxillae with small simple claws; elongate forcipular coxosternite with pleurites projecting anteriorly into scapular points and displaced dorsally so that the coxopleural sutures run anteriorly on the dorsal side; metatergites of the posterior part of the trunk distinctly longer than those on the anterior part. [1]

This family differs from all other geophilomorphs insofar as the number of segments in mecistocephalids is generally fixed within each species and the same for each sex. [7] [4] The family includes centipedes with odd numbers of leg-bearing segments ranging from as few as 41 to as many as 101. [4] A majority of the species in the genus Mecistocephalus have 49 pairs of legs, [8] a majority so large that most species in the family Mecistocephalidae have 49 leg pairs, [7] even though only one mecistocephalid species (Proterotaiwanella sculptulata) outside the genus Mecistocephalus shares this number. [9] [4]

The next most common numbers are 45 leg pairs, found in most species in the genus Tygarrup [6] as well as in species distributed among five other genera, and 41 leg pairs, found in all species in the genera Agnostrup , Anarrup , Arrup , Nannarrup , and Partygarrupius as well as in two species of Dicellophilus; [10] fewer mecistocephalid species have 47 leg pairs (e.g., Mecistocephalus angusticeps and M. tahitiensis ) or 51 leg pairs (e.g., M. sechellarum and M. lifuensis ), [4] [11] found only in the genus Mecistocephalus, [9] and the other remaining numbers are even more rare (e.g., 43 leg pairs, found in Dicellophilus carniolensis [10] ). [7]

Intraspecific variation in the number of leg-bearing segments within each sex has been recorded among the mecistocephalid species with the greatest number of legs: Mecistocephalus diversisternus, which has 57 or 59 leg pairs, M. japonicus, which has 63 or 65 leg pairs, and M. microporus, which has odd numbers of leg pairs ranging from 93 to 101. [12] Other mecistocephalid species with many legs are known from samples too small to provide persuasive evidence of intraspecific invariance (e.g., M. cyclops, with 57 leg pairs in the only known specimen). [11] The mecistocephalid species Krateraspis sselivanovi has 53 leg pairs without intraspecific variation, [9] [13] which appears to be the maximum number evidently fixed by species in the class Chilopoda. [14]

Genera

The family contains the following genera: [15] [10] [9]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Geophilomorpha</span> Order of centipedes

The Geophilomorpha, commonly known as soil centipedes, are epimorphic and bear upwards of 27 leg-bearing segments. They are eyeless and blind, and bear spiracles on all leg-bearing segments—in contrast to other groups, which usually bear them only on their 3rd, 5th, 8th, 10th, 12th, and 14th segments—a "mid-body break", accompanied by a change in tagmatic shape, occurring roughly at the interchange from odd to even segments. This group is the most diverse centipede order, with 230 genera. Centipedes in this order each have an odd number of leg-bearing segments ranging from 27 to 191. They also have 14–segmented antennae. This order is a monophyletic group including two suborders: the monophyletic Placodesmata, which contains Mecistocephalidae, and Adesmata, which includes the superfamilies Himantarioidea and Geophiloidea. Segment number is usually fixed by species in the family Mecistocephalidae, unlike the case in other families in this order, in which the segment number usually varies within each species. The name "Geophilomorpha" is from Ancient Greek roots meaning "formed to love the earth."

Nannarup is a genus of soil centipedes in the family Mecistocephalidae; this genus includes a single species, Nannarrup hoffmani, commonly known as Hoffman's dwarf centipede, which was discovered in New York City's Central Park in 2002. This species has 82 legs and is only 10 mm long, the smallest size in the order Mecistocephalidae. This species features few coxal pores, which do not reach the dorsal side of the coxopleura.

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

The Geophilidae are a polyphyletic, cosmopolitan family of soil centipedes in the superfamily Geophiloidea containing the mostly defunct clades Aphilodontidae, Dignathodontidae, Linotaeniidae, Chilenophilinae, and Macronicophilidae.

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

Himantariidae is a monophyletic family of centipedes in the order Geophilomorpha and superfamily Himantarioidea, found almost exclusively in the Northern Hemisphere. Centipedes in this family feature a short head with a concave labral margin bearing a row of denticles, a single dentate lamella and some pectinate lamellae on each mandible, second maxillae with strongly tapering telopodites and slightly spatulate claws, and a stout forcipular segment with short forcipules and a wide tergite; the ultimate legs usually have no pretarsus, and the female gonopods are distinct and biarticulate.

<i>Himantarium</i> Genus of centipedes

Himantarium is a genus of centipedes in the family Himantariidae. Centipedes in this genus feature a swollen trunk that is posteriorly stout, subcircular sternal pore-fields on almost all trunk segments, much inflated coxapleura completely covered with scattered pores, and a very small metasternite on the ultimate leg-bearing segment; each mandible has a robust dentate lamella and few pectinate lamellae. These centipedes 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.

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

Oryidae is a monophyletic family of soil centipedes belonging to the superfamily Himantarioidea.

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

Schendylidae is a family of centipedes in the order Geophilomorpha.

<i>Tygarrup</i> Genus of Mecistocephalidae centipedes

Tygarrup is a genus of centipedes in the family Mecistocephalidae, found mainly in southeast Asia and from the Seychelles to Hawaii. Although species in this genus can have either 43 or 45 leg-bearing segments, most of these species have 45 leg pairs. An undescribed Tygarrup species found in the Andaman Islands has 43 leg pairs. Centipedes in this genus are sometimes melanised in patches, and sternal glands are present the males of most species. These centipedes range from 2 cm to 6 cm in length. Tygarrup javanicus is one of the smallest of the mecistocephalid species and has become an invasive in greenhouses in Europe.

Arrup is a genus of centipedes in the family Mecistocephalidae, native to Europe and Asia as far as Japan. Centipedes in this genus feature small telopodites on the second maxillae, the head and forcipular segment are elongate, the clypeus is almost completely areolate, and the poison glands in adult males are often deep inside the forcipules. These centipedes range from 1 cm to 5 cm in length. All species in this genus have 41 leg-bearing segments. Most are soil-dwellers but Arrup akiyoshiensis is a troglobiont.

Agnostrup is a genus of centipedes in the family Mecistocephalidae, native to Europe and Asia. Centipedes in this genus feature small telopodites without claws on the second maxillae and a robust basal denticle on the forcipular tarsungulum. These centipedes range from 2 cm to 3 cm in length. All species in this genus have 41 leg-bearing segments.

Anarrup is a genus of centipedes in the family Mecistocephalidae, native to Europe and Asia as far as Indonesia. Centipedes in this genus feature a clypeus with areolation and setae limited to a short anterior marginal band; the second maxillae have swollen and densely setose telopodites and a coxosternite divided mid-longitudinally. These centipedes range from 6 cm to 8 cm in length. All species in this genus have 41 leg-bearing segments.

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, this species has only 29 pairs of legs, one of only two species in the Geophilidae family to have so few leg pairs.

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ballophilidae</span>

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. Centipedes in this clade differ from others in the family Schendylidae by having bodies tapered toward the anterior tip, short heads, slender forcipules that are well apart, and an undivided lamina for the female gonopods.

Gonibregmatidae are a paraphyletic family of soil centipedes belonging to the superfamily Geophiloidea.

Geophilus richardi is a species of soil centipede in the family Geophilidae found in France, Italy, and the Ionian Islands. Females of this species have 33 pairs of legs; males have 29 or 31. This species is one of only two in the family Geophilidae to include centipedes with as few as 29 leg pairs. This species grows up to 10 millimeters long, has no carpophagus pit or pore-fields, and has a gradually tapering, curved pretarsus of the second maxillae. G. richardi lacks typical ventral pores between 2–4mm. The sternites instead bear a small number of pores between 0.5–1mm that differ from micropores, which are unbounded by a cuticular ring. These are possibly the remnants of typical ventral pores, their smaller size being a byproduct of overall miniaturization.

Mecistocephalus is a genus of centipedes in the family Mecistocephalidae. It was described by British entomologist George Newport in 1843.

Mecistocephalus ongi is a species of centipede in the Mecistocephalidae family. It was described in 1934 by Japanese myriapodologist Yosioki Takakuwa.

Mecistocephalus brevisternalis is a species of centipede in the Mecistocephalidae family. It was described in 1934 by Japanese myriapodologist Yosioki Takakuwa.

Mecistocephalus glabridorsalis is a species of centipede in the Mecistocephalidae family. It was described in 1900 by Austrian myriapodologist Carl Attems. This species has 49 pairs of legs, can reach 85 mm in length, and is yellow with anterior segments and a head that are reddish brown.

References

  1. 1 2 Bonato, Lucio (2014). "Phylogeny of Geophilomorpha (Chilopoda) inferred from new morphological and molecular evidence". Cladistics. The International Journal of the Willi Hennig Society. 30 (5): 485–507. doi: 10.1111/cla.12060 . PMID   34794246. S2CID   86204188 . Retrieved 27 October 2021.
  2. ↑ "Placodesmata". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. itis.gov . Retrieved 4 November 2021.
  3. ↑ "Placodesmata". www.gbif.org. GBIF . Retrieved 2021-12-17.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Bonato, Lucio; Foddai, Donatella; Minelli, Alessandro (2003). "Evolutionary trends and patterns in centipede segment number based on a cladistic analysis of Mecistocephalidae (Chilopoda: Geophilomorpha): Evolution of segment number in Mecistocephalidae". Systematic Entomology. 28 (4): 539–579. doi:10.1046/j.1365-3113.2003.00217.x.
  5. ↑ Tuf, Ivan Hadrián; Mock, Andrej; Dvořák, Libor (2018-06-01). "An exotic species spreads through Europe: Tygarrup javanicus (Chilopoda: Geophilomorpha: Mecistocephalidae) is reported from the Slovakia and the Czech Republic". Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology. 21 (2): 560–562. doi:10.1016/j.aspen.2018.03.004. ISSN   1226-8615. S2CID   89794909.
  6. 1 2 Bonato, Lucio; Edgecombe, Gregory D.; Zapparoli, Marzio (2011). "Chilopoda – Taxonomic overview". In Minelli, Alessandro (ed.). The Myriapoda. Volume 1. Leiden: Brill. pp. 363–443. ISBN   978-90-04-18826-6. OCLC   812207443.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  7. 1 2 3 Minelli, Alessandro; Bortoletto, Stefano (1988-04-01). "Myriapod metamerism and arthropod segmentation". Biological Journal of the Linnean Society. 33 (4): 323–343. doi:10.1111/j.1095-8312.1988.tb00448.x. ISSN   0024-4066.
  8. ↑ Bonato, L.; Minelli, A. (2004). "The centipede genus Mecistocephalus Newport 1843 in the Indian Peninsula (Chilopoda Geophilomorpha Mecistocephalidae)". Tropical Zoology. 17 (1): 15–63. doi:10.1080/03946975.2004.10531198. ISSN   0394-6975. S2CID   85304657.
  9. 1 2 3 4 Dyachkov, Yurii V.; Bonato, Lucio (2022-04-14). "Morphology and distribution of the Middle Asian centipede genus Krateraspis Lignau, 1929 (Chilopoda, Geophilomorpha, Mecistocephalidae)". ZooKeys (1095): 143–164. doi: 10.3897/zookeys.1095.80806 . ISSN   1313-2970. PMC   9023436 . PMID   35836682.
  10. 1 2 3 Bonato, Lucio; Dányi, László; Minelli, Alessandro (2010). "Morphology and phylogeny of Dicellophilus, a centipede genus with a highly disjunct distribution (Chilopoda: Mecistocephalidae)". Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. 158 (3): 501–532. doi:10.1111/j.1096-3642.2009.00557.x.
  11. 1 2 Bonato, Lucio; Minelli, Alessandro (2010). "The geophilomorph centipedes of the Seychelles (Chilopoda: Geophilomorpha)" (PDF). Phelsuma. 18: 9–38.
  12. ↑ Minelli, Alessandro (2020). "Arthropod Segments and Segmentation – Lessons from Myriapods, and Open Questions" (PDF). Opuscula Zoologica (Budapest). 51(S2): 7–21. doi:10.18348/opzool.2020.S2.7. S2CID   226561862.
  13. ↑ Dyachkov, Yu. V. (2019). "New data on the family Mecistocephalidae Bollman, 1893 (Chilopoda: Geophilomorpha) from Middle Asia". Arthropoda Selecta. 28 (1): 368–373. doi: 10.15298/arthsel.28.3.02 . ISSN   0136-006X. S2CID   216530363.
  14. ↑ Minelli, Alessandro; Chagas-Júnior, Amazonas; Edgecombe, Gregory D. (2009). "Saltational evolution of trunk segment number in centipedes". Evolution & Development. 11 (3): 318–322. doi:10.1111/j.1525-142X.2009.00334.x. PMID   19469859. S2CID   40909871.
  15. ↑ "ITIS - Report: Mecistocephalidae". www.itis.gov. Retrieved 2022-12-28.


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