Order SCUTIGEROMORPHA

Thereuopoda longicornis, nr Queanbeyan, NSW

© Copyright Dr R. Farrow

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Introduction

Members of the Scutigeromorpha are characterised by a rounded head, 15 body segments which form a short, tapered, rounded body covered by eight large tergites (Lewis 1981: 31). Scutigerids are easily identified by their very long lateral antennae (antennae are frontal in other centipede orders) and 15 pairs of long legs which increase in length posteriorly. Scutigerids have large insect-like compound eyes as opposed to the simple ocelli of most other centipede species (Lewis 1981: 31; Hoffmann 1982: 681). A pair of Tömösváry organs (sensory organs) are located below the eyes on each side (Lewis 1981: 31).

Further differences between scutigeromorphs and the other orders include spiracles located on the tergites instead of on the pleurites, and neither the clypeus nor the head pleurites folded underneath (Lewis 1981: 31; Edgecombe 2001: 44). There is a sternite for each leg-bearing segment, but only seven tergites, due to the fusion of short tergites with the longer ones. The pleurites are weakly sclerotised (Lewis 1981: 35).

Other diagnostic features of the order are: The 1st maxillae similar to those of Lithobiomorpha. On the dorsal surface of the coxosternite are two distensible organs for cleaning of the legs and antennae. The 2nd maxillae have the coxosternite very narrow, and the telopodite consisting of four long slim segments, the first three of which have long spines; the last lacks a claw. The leg coxae are well developed and have a ventral spine, the trochanter is reduced. The tergite of the 1st male genital segment is membranous with a well-developed sternite. A pair of attenuate gonopods are attached to a trapezoidal structure. The 2nd genital segment also has similar processes on each side of a penis. The ventral part of the 1st genital segment is more strongly developed in the female than in the male. This part consists of a coxosternite with a central sternite and lateral coxites. Condyles present on the posterior border of each of the coxites join with the two-segmented gonopod. The second segment is not sclerotised (Lewis 1981: 36).

General References

Edgecombe, G. 2001. Centipedes: the great Australian bite. Nature Australia Autumn: 42-51

Giribet, G. & Edgecombe, G.D. 2013. Stable phylogenetic patterns in scutigeromorph centipedes (Myriapoda : Chilopoda : Scutigeromorpha): dating the diversification of an ancient lineage of terrestrial arthropods. Invertebrate Systematics 27: 485–501

Hoffmann, R.L. 1982. Chilopoda. pp. 681-688 in Parker, S. (ed.). Synopsis and Classification of Living Organisms. New York : McGraw-Hill Vol. 2.

Lewis, J.G.E. 1981. The Biology of Centipedes. Cambridge : Cambridge University Press vii 476 pp.

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