Chilopoda
Classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: "Myriapoda"
Class: Chilopoda
Overview
Centipedes get their name from the latin prefixes “centi”, meaning one hundred, and “pedis”, or footed. Approximately 3000 species of Chilopoda, commonly known as centipedes, have been described [1]. The oldest know example in the fossil record is about 418 million years old. Their most distinctive characteristic is the highly modified first pair of legs that form venomous claws. Each body segment has one set of legs. While Centipedes are most commonly found in the leaf litter and beneath logs, they are abundant throughout all the major biomes and can even be present in the arctic tundra.
Reproduction and Growth
Centipedes generally engage in courtship during which the male spins a web from his genital gland located on his 15th body segment. A spermatophore is deposited and the male guides the female over the web. the female collects the spermatophore and transfers it to her genital opening. [1] Some species will hatch from eggs with all segment already grown, other will hatch with half of the total number of segments it will grow to have. The other segments will grow in upon sexual maturity. Some species of centipede have shown prolonged periods of parenting of their young. Between this and to the prolonged time it takes to reach sexual maturity, combined with the low number of eggs a female can produce, most centipedes are considered to be a K-selected species. [4]
Importance In Soil
Centipedes are almost exclusively carnivorous, paralyzing other arthropods with neurotoxins secreted from the large poison claws. [1] Large insects of the order Scolopendromorpha are known to attack and feed on small animals like bats, snakes, frogs, and even birds. [3] Most centipedes are generalists, eating whatever crosses their path. They prefer smaller, soft-bodied prey that their claws can easily bite into. Earthworms and colembola may make up a large part of their diet, as centipedes can burrow underground in search of prey. Cuticular waxes only afford modest protection against desiccation [1], attributing to most species' nocturnal habits, but some may still be active during the day. They prefer dark humid areas like the underside of rocks, logs, and leaf litter[2]. Besides eating a host of small soil fauna, centipedes play a role in directing energy up the food chain, acting as a food source for other larger animals like birds, snakes, mice, and other insectivorous animals.
References
[1] Wright, J. C. 2012. Myriapoda (Including Centipedes and Millipedes). eLS.
[2] “Centipedes and Pseudoscorpions.” Entomology, entomology.ca.uky.edu/ef647.
[3] “Class Chilopoda - Centipedes.” Class Chilopoda - Centipedes - BugGuide.Net, bugguide.net/node/view/20.
[4] Albert, A. M. (1979). "Chilopoda as part of the predatory macroarthropod fauna in forests: abundance, life-cycle, biomass, and metabolism". In Camatini, Marina. Myriapod biology. Academic Press. pp. 215–231.
[5] Palermo, Elizabeth. “Giant Redheaded Centipede Photo Goes Viral, Horrifies the Internet.” LiveScience, Purch, 10 July 2015, www.livescience.com/51518-giant-redheaded-centipede-photo.html.
[6] “Structure of Centipedes (Scolopendra) | Zoology.” Biology Discussion, 13 Oct. 2016, www.biologydiscussion.com/structures/structure-of-centipedes-scolopendra-zoology/60601.
[7] Female Centipede Guarding Her Eggs, www.bio.sdsu.edu/pub/spiders/Spring06/Spring06-Pages/Image18.html.