Tiger Centipede: Difference between revisions
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== Diet == | == Diet == | ||
''S. polymorpha'' are opportunistic eaters, mainly feeding at night. It feeds on [[arthropods]],[[earthworm]],[[insects]] which it subdues by using venom-injecting maxillipeds (modified front legs). Larger individuals may prey on small reptiles or mammals. <ref name="uci" /> | ''S. polymorpha'' are opportunistic eaters, mainly feeding at night. It feeds on [[arthropods]], [[earthworm]],[[insects]] which it subdues by using venom-injecting maxillipeds (modified front legs). Larger individuals may prey on small reptiles or mammals. <ref name="uci" /> | ||
== Venom == | == Venom == | ||
Revision as of 12:35, 23 April 2025
Tiger Centipede
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.[1]
Taxonomy
| Kingdom | Phylum | Class | Order | Family | Genus | Species | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Classification | Animalia | Arthropoda | Chilopoda | Scolopendromorpha | Scolopendridae | Scolopendra | S. polymorpha |
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.[1] 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]
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
Diet
S. polymorpha are opportunistic eaters, mainly feeding at night. It feeds on arthropods, earthworm,insects which it subdues by 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, both 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.[7] 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.[7]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 “Common Desert Centipede (Scolopendra polymorpha).” iNaturalist, https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/53762-Scolopendra-polymorpha. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.
- ↑ [Hedin, Marshal. “Common Desert Centipede (Scolopendra Polymorpha).” Flickr, Yahoo!, 23 Apr. 2025, flickr.com/photos/23660854@N07/50159557983]
- ↑ “Scolopendra polymorpha.” Archive.org, https://web.archive.org/web/20120402114731/http://cacoseraph.exofire.net/centis/S_polymorpha.php. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ “Tiger Centipede, Scolopendra polymorpha.” Uci.edu, https://nathistoc.bio.uci.edu/Myriapods/Scolopendra.htm. 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.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 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.