Nannarrup

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Nannarrup
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Arthropoda
Class:
Chilopoda
Order:
Geophilomorpha
Family:
Mecistocephalidae
Genus:
Nannarrup

Foddai, Bonato, Pereira & Minelli, 2003  [1]
Species:
N. hoffmani
Binomial name
Nannarrup hoffmani
Foddai, Bonato, Pereira & Minelli, 2003  [1]

Nannarrup is a genus of soil centipedes in the family Mecistocephalidae; this genus includes a single species, Nannarrup hoffmani, [2] [3] also known as Hoffman's dwarf centipede. [4] This centipede was discovered in Central Park in New York City and was the first new species to be discovered in that park in more than a century. [4] This species is the smallest species in the family Mecistocephalidae, reaching only 10.3 mm in length, and has only 41 pairs of legs, the minimum number recorded in this family. [5] [6]

Contents

Discovery

This genus and its type species N. hoffmani were first described in 2003 by a team of biologists led by the Italian myriapodologist Donatella Foddai. This team based the original description of this species on ten specimens, including an adult female holotype collected in April 1998 from leaf litter in the North Woods of Central Park. These specimens also include nine paratypes (eight juveniles and fragments of another specimen) collected in September 1998 from leaf litter in the Ramble in Central Park. The holotype and eight of the paratypes are deposited in the American Museum of Natural History in New York. [5]

These specimens were collected by a team of researchers led by Liz Johnson and Kefyn Catley of the American Museum of Natural History. [7] [8] This team collected samples of leaf litter from Central Park to conduct research on the health of the park's ecosystem for the Central Park Conservancy, hoping to learn how to best preserve this ecosystem. [4] [8] [7] The team searched through twigs, fungi, and decaying leaves mixed with soil to collect specimens for identification by taxonomists. These researchers sent a collection of their myriapod specimens to the American entomologist Richard L. Hoffman, who was then the curator of invertebrates at the Virginia Museum of Natural History, for identification. Hoffman could not identify some of these specimens and passed them on biologists in Italy who specialize in myriapods. [4] [7]

These biologist recognized the newly discovered centipede as representing not only a new species but also a species so distinctive as to merit placement in a new genus. [7] [4] The genus name Nannarrup derives from the Greek word nannos, meaning dwarf (a reference to the small size of the newly discovered centipede), and Arrup , the name of the genus that most closely resembles this new centipede. The name of the species honors Hoffman, who forwarded the specimens on which the original description of this species is based. [5]

Phylogeny

A cladistic analysis of the family Mecistocephalidae using morphological features places the genus Nannarrup in the subfamily Arrupinae, along with the genera Arrup, Agnostrup , and Partygarrupius . [9] Further cladistic analysis of the subfamily Arrupinae based on external morphology places the genus Nannarrup in a clade with Arrup as a closely related sister group. [5] This analysis also places this clade inside another clade with Agnostrup as a sister group in the same branch of a phylogenetic tree. [5]

Geographic origin

Although the species N. hoffmani was discovered in New York City and is known only from this population, biologists believe that humans introduced this species from elsewhere. [10] The type specimens were discovered along with two other species known to be introduced. Furthermore, New York lies far from the distribution range of any other species in the family Mecistocephiladae. There are only three other species from this family found in North America, all of them in California, and only one of these, Arrup pylorus , is in the subfamily Arrupinae. All other species of Arrup, the closest relatives of Nannarrup, are found in Central Asia, east China, and Japan. These distributions suggest East Asia and California as the leading candidates for the geographic origin of Nannarrup. [5] The most likely scenario is that humans transported Nannurrup in potting soil when they imported exotic plants from East Asia for planting in Central Park. [4] [8] [7]

After introduction to New York City, Nannarrup established a breeding population in Central Park, as indicated by specimens that not only include juveniles as well as adults but also were collected in different seasons. [5] Furthermore, the female holotype contained sperm, indicating that the species is reproducing in Central Park. [5] [4] [8] The survival of this introduced species in such a foreign urban environment is especially striking given the population density of New York City and the flow of visitors to Central Park. [4] [8]

Description

The female holotype measures 10.3 mm in length, and all specimens have 41 leg pairs. The body (when preserved in alcohol) is a very pale yellow, but the head and forcipular segment is a pale ochre. This species shares some distinctive features with its close relatives in the genus Arrup. For example, in these species, the setae on the clypeus are arranged in two groups, one on each side of the clypeus. Furthermore, all species in the genus Arrup also have 41 pairs of legs. Other features, however, distinguish Nannarrup from Arrup. For example, the coxosternite of the first maxillae (the sclerite corresponding to the sternite and most basal segment of the first maxillae) is divided in Nannarrup but undivided in Arrup. [5] [11]

Related Research Articles

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

Mecistocephalidae is a monophyletic family of centipedes in the order Geophilomorpha. It is the only family in the suborder Placodesmata. Most species in this family live in tropical or subtropical regions, but some occur in temperate regions. This family is the third most diverse in the order Geophiliomorpha, with about 170 species, including about 130 species in the genus Mecistocephalus.

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

Schendylidae is a family of soil centipedes in the superfamily Himantarioidea and the order Geophilomorpha. These centipedes are found in the Americas, the Palearctic region, Africa, Madagascar, Australia, and southeast Asia, and also on some Pacific islands. This family was first proposed by the American biologist Orator F. Cook in 1896.

<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.

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.

<i>Ribautia</i> Genus of centipedes

Ribautia is a genus of centipedes in the family Geophilidae. This genus was described by French myriapodologist Henry Wilfred Brolemann in 1909. Centipedes in this genus are found in South America, tropical Africa, Madagascar, the Arabian peninsula, Australia, New Zealand, and Melanesia.

Mecistocephalus is the largest genus of centipedes in the family Mecistocephalidae, with about 140 species. This genus is among the most diverse and widespread of all the genera in the order Geophilomorpha. The British entomologist George Newport first proposed this genus in 1843 to contain a group of centipedes marked by an unusual elongation of the head.

Marsikomerus is a genus of centipedes in the family Schendylidae. This genus was described by Austrian myriapodologist Carl Attems in 1938. Species in this genus are found in Mexico and in the United States.

Steneurytion hawaiiensis is a species of centipede in the Geophilidae family. It was described in 1953 by American myriapodologist Ralph Vary Chamberlin. This species is known from a single male specimen measuring 28 mm in length with 39 pairs of legs.

Nesomerium is a monotypic genus of centipedes in the family Geophilidae. It was described in 1953 by American myriapodologist Ralph Vary Chamberlin. The sole species is Nesomerium hawaiiense Chamberlin, 1953. Since the original description of this species based on a single specimen, no other specimens have been referred to this species or this genus, and some authorities express doubts about the validity of these taxa and their placement in the family Geophilidae.

Mecistocephalus spissus is a species of soil centipede in the Mecistocephalidae family. The American biologist Horatio Curtis Wood first described this species in 1862 based on type material found in Kauai or Oahu in Hawaii. This centipede has only 45 pairs of legs, the minimum number recorded in the genus Mecistocephalus. This species was the first in this genus to be discovered with such a modest number of legs.

Mecistocephalus gigas is a species of soil centipede in the Mecistocephalidae family. This genus was described in 1887 by German entomologist Erich Haase. This centipede features 51 pairs of legs rather than the 49 leg pairs usually observed in the genus Mecistocephalus.

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 angusticeps is species of soil centipede in the family Mecistocephalidae. This centipede is found in Kenya, Seychelles, and the Chagos Archipelago. This species features only 47 pairs of legs rather than the 49 leg pairs usually observed in the genus Mecistocephalus.

Krateraspis is a genus of soil centipedes in the family Mecistocephalidae. Centipedes in this genus are found in Central Asia. This genus contains only two species, K. meinerti, with 45 pairs of legs, and K. sselivanovi, with 53 leg pairs. The species K. sselivanovi 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.

Schendylops oligopus is a species of soil centipede in the family Schendylidae. This species is notable as one of only two species in the order Geophilomorpha known to include centipedes with only 27 pairs of legs, the minimum number recorded in this order. Furthermore, S. oligopus was the first species in this order found to feature so few legs.

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.

Alloschizotaenia is a genus of soil centipedes in the family Geophilidae. This genus contains only three valid species. Centipedes in this genus are found in central and east Africa.

Mecistocephalus nannocornis is a species of soil centipede in the Mecistocephalidae family. This centipede has only 45 pairs of legs, the minimum number recorded in the genus Mecistocephalus. This centipede was the second species in this genus to be discovered with such a modest number of legs.

References

  1. 1 2 "Nannarrup hoffmani Foddai, Bonato, Pereira & Minelli, 2003". ChiloBase. Archived from the original on 2011-07-22.
  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). "Nannarrup Foddai, Bonato, Pereira & Minelli, 2003". ChiloBase 2.0 – A World Catalogue of Centipedes (Chilopoda). Retrieved 2024-06-08.
  3. ↑ "ITIS - Report: Nannarrup". www.itis.gov. Retrieved 2024-06-25.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Barbara Stewart (2002-07-24). "A new kind of New Yorker, one with 82 legs". The New York Times .
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Foddai, Donatella; Bonato, Lucio; Pereira, Luis Alberto; Minelli, Alessandro (2003). "Phylogeny and systematics of the Arrupinae (Chilopoda Geophilomorpha Mecistocephalidae) with the description of a new dwarfed species". Journal of Natural History. 37 (10): 1247–1267. Bibcode:2003JNatH..37.1247F. doi:10.1080/00222930210121672. ISSN   0022-2933.
  6. ↑ Bonato, Lucio; Minelli, Alessandro; Drago, Leandro; Pereira, Luis Alberto (2015-09-25). "The phylogenetic position of Dinogeophilus and a new evolutionary framework for the smallest epimorphic centipedes (Chilopoda: Epimorpha)". Contributions to Zoology. 84 (3): 237–253 [249]. doi:10.1163/18759866-08403004. hdl: 11577/3146565 . ISSN   1875-9866.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 David Bjerklie (2002-08-05). "City centipede: an urban legend with real legs". Time . Archived from the original on April 30, 2008.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 "Centipede enjoys hustle and bustle". BBC News. 2002-07-26.
  9. ↑ Bonato, Lucio; Foddai, Donatella; Minelli, Alessandro (2003). "Evolutionary trends and patterns in centipede segment number based on a cladistic analysis of Mecistocephalidae (Chilopoda: Geophilomorpha)". Systematic Entomology. 28 (4): 539–579. Bibcode:2003SysEn..28..539B. doi:10.1046/j.1365-3113.2003.00217.x. ISSN   0307-6970.
  10. ↑ 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). "Nannarrup hoffmani Foddai, Bonato, Pereira & Minelli, 2003". ChiloBase 2.0 - A World Catalogue of Centipedes (Chilopoda). Retrieved 2024-06-08.
  11. ↑ 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.
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