Tiger Centipede: Difference between revisions
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== Taxonomy == | == Taxonomy == | ||
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| S. polymorpha | | S. polymorpha | ||
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== Description == | == Description == | ||
Revision as of 11:55, 21 April 2025
Tiger Centipede
Scolopendra polymorpha, commonly known as the Tiger Centipede, is a species of centipede in the family Scolopendridae. It is known for the distinctive dark bands across its body segments, giving it a tiger-striped appearance.[1]
Taxonomy
| Kingdom | Phylum | Class | Order | Family | Genus | Species | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Classification | Animalia | Arthropoda | Chilopoda | Scolopendromorpha | Scolopendridae | Scolopendra | S. polymorpha |
Description
Scolopendra polymorpha typically grows to 4–7 inches (10–18 cm) in length.[2] Its coloration varies widely, ranging from light brown to brick red, and sometimes olive, yellow, or bluish hues. A dark band usually runs across each tergite (body segment), inspiring the nickname "Tiger Centipede."[1]
The species name, polymorpha, means "many forms" in Latin, reflecting its variable coloration.[3]
Habitat and Range
This species is distributed across the southwestern United States, from Louisiana to California and Oregon, and south into northern Mexico.[4] S. polymorpha typically inhabits arid environments and tolerates a broad temperature range, from 65–90°F (18–32°C).[2]
Diet
S. polymorpha is a nocturnal predator. It feeds on arthropods, which it subdues using venom-injecting maxillipeds (modified front legs). Larger individuals may prey on small reptiles or mammals.[5]
Venom
The venom contains a peptide called SPC13, which exhibits antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa — major causes of hospital-acquired infections.[6]
In mice, the venom has been shown to cause muscle damage, necrosis, and mitochondrial disruption, evidenced by the presence of ragged red fibers.[6]
Venom regeneration is limited. After venom extraction, only 65–86% of venom volume and 29–47% of protein mass is regenerated within 48 hours. No further regeneration is observed, even after seven months.[3] Larger centipedes regenerate venom more slowly than smaller ones, indicating that body size negatively correlates with regeneration rate, making size a limiting factor.[3]
References
- ↑ Jump up to: 1.0 1.1 God of Insects - Tiger Centipede
- ↑ Jump up to: 2.0 2.1 Desert Centipede Fact Sheet
- ↑ Jump up to: 3.0 3.1 3.2 0005AIA.pdf
- ↑ DesertCentipede.pdf
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedinaturalist - ↑ Jump up to: 6.0 6.1 Mitochondrial activity disruption and local muscle damage induced in mice by Scolopendra polymorpha venom – PMC