Tiger Centipede: Difference between revisions
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
No edit summary |
|||
| (26 intermediate revisions by 2 users not shown) | |||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
== Tiger Centipede == | == Tiger Centipede == | ||
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; float:right; margin-left: 12px; | |||
|- | |||
|colspan="2" |[[File:Tiger_centepede_inaturalsist.jpg|thumb|Tiger Centipede. Photo by Marshal Hedin.<ref name="flickr"/>]] | |||
|- | |||
== | |+ !colspan="2" style="min-width:12em; text-align: center; background-color: rgb(235,235,210)|'''Scientific Classification''' | ||
|- | |||
| | !style="min-width:6em; |Domain: | ||
|style="min-width:6em; |Eukaryota | |||
|- | |||
!style="min-width:6em; |Kingdom: | |||
|style="min-width:6em; |Animalia | |||
|- | |||
!style="min-width:6em; |Phylum: | |||
|style="min-width:6em; |[[Arthropod]] | |||
|- | |||
!style="min-width:6em; |Class: | |||
|style="min-width:6em; |[[Chilopoda]] | |||
|- | |||
!style="min-width:6em; |Order: | |||
|style="min-width:6em; |Scolopendromorpha | |||
|- | |||
!style="min-width:6em; |Family: | |||
|style="min-width:6em; |Scolopendridae | |||
|- | |- | ||
!style="min-width:6em; |Genus: | |||
! | |style="min-width:6em; |Scolopendra | ||
|- | |- | ||
! | !style="min-width:6em; |Species: | ||
| | |style="min-width:6em; |S. polymorpha | ||
| S. polymorpha | |||
|} | |} | ||
''Scolopendra polymorpha'', commonly known as the '''Tiger Centipede''', it is a species of centipede in the family [[Scolopendridae]]. its also known for the distinctive dark bands across its body segments, giving it a tiger-striped appearance.<ref name="inat" /> | |||
== Description == | == Description == | ||
''Scolopendra polymorpha'' typically grows up to 4–7 inches (10–18 cm) in length. Its coloration varies widely, ranging from light brown to brick red, and sometimes olive, yellow, or bluish hues.<ref name="inat" /> A dark band usually runs across each tergite (body segment), inspiring the nickname "Tiger Centipede".<ref name="archive" /> The species name, ''polymorpha'', means "many forms" in Latin, reflecting its variable coloration.<ref name="godofinsects" /> Tiger centipedes can regenerate lost limbs, making them more resilient against predation. <ref name="PictureInsect2025" /> | ''Scolopendra polymorpha'' typically grows up to 4–7 inches (10–18 cm) in length. Its coloration varies widely, ranging from light brown to brick red, and sometimes olive, yellow, or bluish hues.<ref name="inat" /> A dark band usually runs across each tergite (body segment), inspiring the nickname "Tiger Centipede".<ref name="archive" /> The species name, ''polymorpha'', means "many forms" in Latin, reflecting its variable coloration.<ref name="godofinsects" /> Tiger centipedes can regenerate lost limbs, making them more resilient against predation. <ref name="PictureInsect2025">"Scolopendra polymorpha – Tiger Centipede." ''Picture Insect Wiki'', https://pictureinsect.com/wiki/Scolopendra_polymorpha.html. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.</ref>. The hind end forms a "psudeohead" that looks very similar to the head of the centipede, a pair of long legs somewhat Resemble the antenna of the head.<ref name="csu" /> | ||
== Habitat and Range == | == Habitat and Range == | ||
This species is distributed across the southwestern United States, from Louisiana to California and Oregon, and south into northern Mexico. ''S. polymorpha'' typically inhabits arid environments and tolerates a broad temperature range, from 65–90°F (18–32°C).<ref name="godofinsects" /> They are typically found under various sizes of debris, such as boards, logs, and stumps | This species is distributed across the southwestern United States, from Louisiana to California and Oregon, and south into northern Mexico. ''S. polymorpha'' typically inhabits arid environments and tolerates a broad temperature range, from 65–90°F (18–32°C).<ref name="godofinsects" /> They are typically found under various sizes of debris, such as boards, logs, and stumps. To prevent drying, desert centipedes hid under rocks during the day and come out at night to hunt. | ||
== Diet == | == Diet == | ||
''S. polymorpha'' are opportunistic | ''S. polymorpha'' are opportunistic nocturnal predators. It feeds on [[arthropods]], [[Earthworm|earthworms]], and [[Insects]], which it subdues using venom-injecting maxillipeds (modified front legs). Larger individuals may also prey on small reptiles or mammals.<ref name="csu" /> | ||
== Venom == | == Venom == | ||
Tiger Centipedes' venom contains a peptide called SPC13, which exhibits antimicrobial activity against ''Staphylococcus aureus'' and ''Pseudomonas aeruginosa'', both major causes of hospital-acquired infections.<ref name="spc13" /> In mice, the venom has been shown to cause muscle damage, necrosis, and mitochondrial disruption, evidenced by the presence of ragged red fibers.<ref name="mito" /> Venom regeneration is limited. After venom extraction, only 65–86% of the venom volume and 29–47% of the protein mass are regenerated within 48 hours. No further regeneration is observed, even after seven months. As the body length of the centipede increases, the rate at which it regenerates venom decreases. Larger centipedes regenerate venom more slowly than smaller ones. making size a limiting factor in its regenerative abilities.<ref name="mito" /> | |||
== References == | == References == | ||
| Line 44: | Line 52: | ||
<ref name="inat">“Common Desert Centipede (Scolopendra polymorpha).” iNaturalist, https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/53762-Scolopendra-polymorpha. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.</ref> | <ref name="inat">“Common Desert Centipede (Scolopendra polymorpha).” iNaturalist, https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/53762-Scolopendra-polymorpha. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.</ref> | ||
<ref name="godofinsects">“Godofinsects.com.” Godofinsects.com, https://www.godofinsects.com/index.php/museum/all-non-insects/chilopoda-centipedes/tiger-centipede-scolopendra-polymorpha/. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.</ref> | <ref name="godofinsects">“Godofinsects.com.” Godofinsects.com, https://www.godofinsects.com/index.php/museum/all-non-insects/chilopoda-centipedes/tiger-centipede-scolopendra-polymorpha/. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.</ref> | ||
<ref name="archive">“Scolopendra polymorpha.” Archive.org, https://web.archive.org/web/20120402114731/http://cacoseraph.exofire.net/centis/S_polymorpha.php. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.</ref> | <ref name="archive">“Scolopendra polymorpha.” Archive.org, https://web.archive.org/web/20120402114731/http://cacoseraph.exofire.net/centis/S_polymorpha.php. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.</ref> | ||
<ref name="spc13">Rodríguez-Alejandro, C.I., and M.C. Gutiérrez. “Antimicrobial Activity of SPC13, New Antimicrobial Peptide Purified from Scolopendra polymorpha Venom.” *Anti-Infective Agents* 18, no. 3 (2020): 233–38. https://doi.org/10.2174/2211352517666190531110829.</ref> | <ref name="spc13">Rodríguez-Alejandro, C.I., and M.C. Gutiérrez. “Antimicrobial Activity of SPC13, New Antimicrobial Peptide Purified from Scolopendra polymorpha Venom.” *Anti-Infective Agents* 18, no. 3 (2020): 233–38. https://doi.org/10.2174/2211352517666190531110829.</ref> | ||
<ref name="mito">Robles, Judith Tabullo De, et al. “Mitochondrial Activity Disruption and Local Muscle Damage Induced in Mice by Scolopendra polymorpha Venom.” *Journal of Venomous [[Animals]] and Toxins Including Tropical Diseases* 26 (2020): e20190079. https://doi.org/10.1590/1678-9199-jvatitd-2019-0079.</ref> | <ref name="mito">Robles, Judith Tabullo De, et al. “Mitochondrial Activity Disruption and Local Muscle Damage Induced in Mice by Scolopendra polymorpha Venom.” *Journal of Venomous [[Animals]] and Toxins Including Tropical Diseases* 26 (2020): e20190079. https://doi.org/10.1590/1678-9199-jvatitd-2019-0079.</ref> | ||
<ref name="PictureInsect2025">"Scolopendra polymorpha – Tiger Centipede." ''Picture Insect Wiki'', https://pictureinsect.com/wiki/Scolopendra_polymorpha.html. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.</ref> | |||
<ref name="csu">“Desert Centipede (Scolopendra polymorpha).” Colorado State University, https://webdoc.agsci.colostate.edu/bspm/Chilopoda/DesertCentipede.pdf. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.</ref> | |||
<ref name="flickr">Hedin, Marshal. “Common Desert Centipede (Scolopendra Polymorpha).” Flickr, Yahoo!, 23 Apr. 2025, https://flickr.com/photos/23660854@N07/50159557983.</ref> | |||
</references> | </references> | ||
Latest revision as of 14:17, 9 May 2025
Tiger Centipede
 | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
|---|---|
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropod |
| Class: | Chilopoda |
| Order: | Scolopendromorpha |
| Family: | Scolopendridae |
| Genus: | Scolopendra |
| Species: | S. polymorpha |
Scolopendra polymorpha, commonly known as the Tiger Centipede, it is a species of centipede in the family Scolopendridae. its also known for the distinctive dark bands across its body segments, giving it a tiger-striped appearance.[2]
Description
Scolopendra polymorpha typically grows up to 4–7 inches (10–18 cm) in length. Its coloration varies widely, ranging from light brown to brick red, and sometimes olive, yellow, or bluish hues.[2] A dark band usually runs across each tergite (body segment), inspiring the nickname "Tiger Centipede".[3] The species name, polymorpha, means "many forms" in Latin, reflecting its variable coloration.[4] Tiger centipedes can regenerate lost limbs, making them more resilient against predation. [5]. The hind end forms a "psudeohead" that looks very similar to the head of the centipede, a pair of long legs somewhat Resemble the antenna of the head.[6]
Habitat and Range
This species is distributed across the southwestern United States, from Louisiana to California and Oregon, and south into northern Mexico. S. polymorpha typically inhabits arid environments and tolerates a broad temperature range, from 65–90°F (18–32°C).[4] They are typically found under various sizes of debris, such as boards, logs, and stumps. To prevent drying, desert centipedes hid under rocks during the day and come out at night to hunt.
Diet
S. polymorpha are opportunistic nocturnal predators. It feeds on arthropods, earthworms, and Insects, which it subdues using venom-injecting maxillipeds (modified front legs). Larger individuals may also prey on small reptiles or mammals.[6]
Venom
Tiger Centipedes' venom contains a peptide called SPC13, which exhibits antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, both major causes of hospital-acquired infections.[7] In mice, the venom has been shown to cause muscle damage, necrosis, and mitochondrial disruption, evidenced by the presence of ragged red fibers.[8] Venom regeneration is limited. After venom extraction, only 65–86% of the venom volume and 29–47% of the protein mass are regenerated within 48 hours. No further regeneration is observed, even after seven months. As the body length of the centipede increases, the rate at which it regenerates venom decreases. Larger centipedes regenerate venom more slowly than smaller ones. making size a limiting factor in its regenerative abilities.[8]
References
- ↑ Hedin, Marshal. “Common Desert Centipede (Scolopendra Polymorpha).” Flickr, Yahoo!, 23 Apr. 2025, https://flickr.com/photos/23660854@N07/50159557983.
- ↑ Jump up to: 2.0 2.1 “Common Desert Centipede (Scolopendra polymorpha).” iNaturalist, https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/53762-Scolopendra-polymorpha. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.
- ↑ “Scolopendra polymorpha.” Archive.org, https://web.archive.org/web/20120402114731/http://cacoseraph.exofire.net/centis/S_polymorpha.php. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.
- ↑ Jump up to: 4.0 4.1 “Godofinsects.com.” Godofinsects.com, https://www.godofinsects.com/index.php/museum/all-non-insects/chilopoda-centipedes/tiger-centipede-scolopendra-polymorpha/. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.
- ↑ "Scolopendra polymorpha – Tiger Centipede." Picture Insect Wiki, https://pictureinsect.com/wiki/Scolopendra_polymorpha.html. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.
- ↑ Jump up to: 6.0 6.1 “Desert Centipede (Scolopendra polymorpha).” Colorado State University, https://webdoc.agsci.colostate.edu/bspm/Chilopoda/DesertCentipede.pdf. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.
- ↑ Rodríguez-Alejandro, C.I., and M.C. Gutiérrez. “Antimicrobial Activity of SPC13, New Antimicrobial Peptide Purified from Scolopendra polymorpha Venom.” *Anti-Infective Agents* 18, no. 3 (2020): 233–38. https://doi.org/10.2174/2211352517666190531110829.
- ↑ Jump up to: 8.0 8.1 Robles, Judith Tabullo De, et al. “Mitochondrial Activity Disruption and Local Muscle Damage Induced in Mice by Scolopendra polymorpha Venom.” *Journal of Venomous Animals and Toxins Including Tropical Diseases* 26 (2020): e20190079. https://doi.org/10.1590/1678-9199-jvatitd-2019-0079.