Chilopoda
Classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Myriapoda
Class: Chilopoda
Overview
Centipedes get their name from the latin prefixes “centi” being hundered and “pedis” being foot. Approximately 3000 species of Chilopoda, common name 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 poison claws. Each body segment has one set of legs. Centipedes are abundant throughout all the major biomes and a few species can even be found in arctic tundra. These insects are most common in the leaf litter and beneath logs.
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. Due to the prolonged time it takes to reach sexual maturity and 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 that eat whatever insects cross their path. They prefer small softer 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. Cuticualr waxes afford modest protection against desiccation [1] so centipedes are mostly nocturnal but some may be active during the day. They prefer dark humid areas like the underside of rocks, logs, leaf litter, and other damp places. [2] Besides eating a host of small soil fauna, centipedes play a role in directing energy up the food chain by acting as a food source for other larger animals like birds, snakes,mice, and other insect eating 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.