Tiger Centipede: Difference between revisions

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<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 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="csu">“Desert Centipede (Scolopendra polymorpha).” Colorado State University, https://webdoc.agsci.colostate.edu/bspm/Chilopoda/DesertCentipede.pdf. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.</ref>
</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>

Revision as of 14:08, 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]

Tiger Centipede. Photo by Marshal Hedin.[2]

[2]

Taxonomy

Scolopendra Polymorpha 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] Tiger centipedes can regenerate lost limbs, making them more resilient against predation. [5]

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, 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

  1. 1.0 1.1 “Common Desert Centipede (Scolopendra polymorpha).” iNaturalist, https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/53762-Scolopendra-polymorpha. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.
  2. 2.0 2.1 Hedin, Marshal. “Common Desert Centipede (Scolopendra Polymorpha).” Flickr, Yahoo!, 23 Apr. 2025, https://flickr.com/photos/23660854@N07/50159557983.
  3. “Scolopendra polymorpha.” Archive.org, https://web.archive.org/web/20120402114731/http://cacoseraph.exofire.net/centis/S_polymorpha.php. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.
  4. 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.
  5. "Scolopendra polymorpha – Tiger Centipede." Picture Insect Wiki, https://pictureinsect.com/wiki/Scolopendra_polymorpha.html. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.
  6. “Desert Centipede (Scolopendra polymorpha).” Colorado State University, https://webdoc.agsci.colostate.edu/bspm/Chilopoda/DesertCentipede.pdf. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.
  7. 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.
  8. 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.

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