Scolopendra polymorpha

Scolopendra polymorpha
Scolopendra polymorpha
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Myriapoda
Class: Chilopoda
Order: Scolopendromorpha
Family: Scolopendridae
Genus: Scolopendra
Species: S. polymorpha
Binomial name
Scolopendra polymorpha
Wood, 1861

Scolopendra polymorpha, the common desert centipede, tiger centipede, banded desert centipede,[1][2] or Sonoran Desert centipede, is indigenous to the Southwestern United States and Northern Mexico, up to the Pacific coast.[3][4] It inhabits dry grasslands, forest and desert; in these habitats the centipedes will generally take up residence under rocks, though they have been observed creating burrows in suitable environments and inside rotting logs. Its body generally reaches 4–7 inches (10–18 cm) in length. Coloration is variable, hence the species name "polymorpha" which means "many forms", and alternative common names like "multi-colored centipede". The body segments have one dark lateral stripe, and for this reason is also known as the tiger centipede or tiger-stripe centipede. Generally this species has a darker brown, red, or orange colored head and lighter brown, tan, or orange body segments with yellow legs. Its antennae have 7 or more smooth segments.

References

  1. ^ "CalPhotos: Scolopendra polymorpha; Banded Desert Centipede". Calphotos.berkeley.edu. http://calphotos.berkeley.edu/cgi/img_query?enlarge=0000+0000+0205+0538. Retrieved 2011-09-14. 
  2. ^ "Tiger Centipede, Scolopendra polymorpha". Nathistoc.bio.uci.edu. 2006-12-08. http://nathistoc.bio.uci.edu/Myriapods/Scolopendra.htm. Retrieved 2011-09-14. 
  3. ^ "Scolopendra Polymorpha". Cacoseraph.exofire.net. http://cacoseraph.exofire.net/centis/S_polymorpha.php. Retrieved 2011-09-14. 
  4. ^ "Tiger Centipede - Scolopendra polymorpha". BugGuide.Net. http://bugguide.net/node/view/10944. Retrieved 2011-09-14. 

External links


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