Scolopendra_alternans

<i>Scolopendra alternans</i>

Scolopendra alternans

Species of arthropods

Scolopendra alternans, commonly known as the Haitian giant centipede,[3] Caribbean giant centipede,[4] and Florida Keys centipede,[lower-alpha 2][5] is a species of large centipede in the subfamily Scolopendrinae.[5][2][6] The species was involved in widespread news coverage after an incident in John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, in which a specimen of the extremely rare rim rock crown snake (Tantilla oolitica) died of asphyxiation while trying to eat a Scolopendra alternans, which also died.[7][8][9]

Quick Facts Scolopendra alternans, Scientific classification ...

Appearance

Scolopendra alternans is a large species of centipede, and can grow up to 17–19 cm in length.[10][1] Their colouration is generally brownish or reddish, but it varies greatly depending on location.[10][1] Some American forms are yellow to orange in colour.[10] Morphological features also vary depending on location.[1]

Distribution

Scolopendra alternans is found in Puerto Rico, Cuba, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Venezuela the Bahamas, Hispaniola, the Antilles, the British Virgin Islands, and Florida.[3][1][11][2] They have also been reported as far north as Georgia.[12][5][4]

Notes

  1. Sources vary: some say 1813 or 1816.
  2. Not to then be confused with Scolopendra longipes, which also goes by that common name since it was resurrected from junior synonymy with S. alternans[1]

References

  1. [1]
    Mercurio, Randy J. (May 12, 2016). "Resurrection of Scolopendra longipes Wood and Scolopendra cubensis Saussure from synonymy with Scolopendra alternans Leach (Chilopoda, Scolopendromorpha, Scolopendridae): an enigmatic species-group needing phylogeographic analysis, with an overview on the origin and distribution of centipedes in the Caribbean region". Zootaxa. 4111 (1): 1–20. doi:10.11646/zootaxa.4111.1.1 – via Internet Archive. Partially available at GBIF here.
  2. [2]
    "Scolopendra alternans Leach, 1815". ChiloBase. Retrieved October 6, 2022.
  3. [3]
    Dunlap, Sadie (March 26, 2022). "The 10 Biggest Centipedes in the World!".
  4. [4]
    "Caribbean Giant Centipede (Scolopendra alternans)". iNaturalist. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
  5. [5]
    "Florida Keys Centipede names - Encyclopedia of Life". eol.org. Retrieved October 2, 2022.
  6. [6]
    Gillett-Kaufman, Jennifer (May 6, 2014). "What's the biggest bug in Florida?". UF/IFAS Entomology and Nematology Department. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
  7. [7]
    Virata, John (September 6, 2022). "Rim Rock Crowned Snake Dies Trying To Eat Giant Centipede". Reptiles Magazine. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
  8. [8]
    "Rare snake enters death match with venomous centipede in Key Largo. They reveal fascinating scientific discoveries". MSN. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
  9. [9]
    History, Florida Museum of Natural (September 28, 2022). "North America's Rarest Snake Found Dead". SciTechDaily. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
  10. [10]
    "Haiti Giant Centipede - Scolopendra alternans". Exotic Pets UK. Retrieved October 6, 2022.
  11. [11]
    "iDigBio Specimen Record | Scolopendra alternans leach". iDigBio Specimen Portal. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
  12. [12]
    "Scolopendra alternans Leach, 1813". Global Biodiversity Information Facility. Retrieved October 4, 2022.
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