Scolopendra subspinipes  

Scolopendra subspinipes is a species of centipede. The native range is uncertain. The certain natural range is Meganesia and Indomalaya. The species is also found on virtually all land areas around and within the Indian Ocean, all of Tropical and Subtropical Asia (including Russia), South and Central America, and the Caribbean. However, how much of this range is natural and how much due to human introduction is unclear.^[1][2]

With such a wide geographic range, the species is known by a great many common names including Chinese Red Head, Giant Centipede, Jungle Centipede, Orange Legged Centipede, Red Headed Centipede and Vietnamese Centipede.

It is among the largest centipedes with a maximum length of 20 cm.^[3] They are active and aggressive, preying on almost everything that they can overwhelm.^[4]

Description[edit]

This is a large species which can grow up to 10 to 20 cm (3.9 to 7.9 in) in length or even more.^[3] It has colour variations. Its body is usually red or reddish brown with yellow or yellow-orange legs. In common with other members of genus Scolopendra, it has 21 body segments with each segment having one pair of legs attached. A pair of modified legs known as forcipules can be found on its head, which is covered by a flat shield and bears a pair of antennae. The forcipules are the major tools used by the centipede to kill its prey or for defense, as they have sharp claws that connect to venom glands. Centipedes breathe through the openings located along sides of their bodies. These openings are either round-shaped or S-shaped. They have simple eyes with poor vision, so they rely much on touch and their chemoreceptors.^[5]

Habitats[edit]

The species can be found in tropical and subtropical regions throughout the Old World. It is also one of only three species of centipedes in Hawaii.^[6]

Diet and behaviour[edit]

This is an aggressive and nervous arthropod which is ready to strike if interfered with and is sensitive to vibrations nearby.^[3][4] It preys primarily on insects or other predatory arthropods (like spiders), however, if it is large enough to overpower small vertebrates like mice or small reptiles, it will readily attempt to consume them as well. They tend to try to eat almost every living animal they encounter that is not longer than themself.^[4] It attacks its prey with the last prehensorial legs, then curves its head quickly behind to implant its venomous jaws deeply and firmly into the prey. The prey is held by the centipede's other legs until it dies from the fast-acting venom. During a fight, the centipede will use its entire body coiling the prey or enemy with its legs firmly attaching to the body of the opponent. Then, it will quickly penetrate its forcipules into the victim for venom injection.^[6]

Reproduction[edit]

The male produces capsules containing mature sperm cells, spermatophores, which are deposited in a reservoir called the spermathecae of the female during mating. The female then fertilizes her immature eggs, oocytes, and deposits them in a dark, protected area. The female lays 50 to 80 eggs which she vigilantly protects until they hatch and the baby centipede molt once. If danger is detected she will wrap around her babies to keep them safe. The young centipedes molt once each year, and take three to four years to attain full adult size. Adults molt once every year. They may live for 10 years or more.^[7]

Venom[edit]

Bites from Scolopendra subspinipes are very painful and may cause severe swelling, weakness or fever.^[8][9] Active components of the venom include serotonin, haemolytic phospholipase A, a cardiotoxic protein and a cytolysin.^[8]

Scolopendra subspinipes is the only species of centipede reported as the apparent cause of a human death. The fatal case was in Philippines in which the centipede bit a seven-year old girl on her head. She died 29 hours later.^[4] There have been no other verifiable cases of centipede bite being implicated in human fatalities.^[3][4][10] However, as in most venomous bites, the clinical seriousness is much greater if the victim is allergic or otherwise exceptionally sensitive to the venom, or if the dose of venom per unit of body weight is relatively great, such as when a small child is bitten.^[11]

Scolopendra subspinipes mutilans

Scolopendra subspinipes japonica

Human uses[edit]

S. subspinipes is a popular pet among arthropod hobbyists.^[4] The centipede was a traditional food source for Aboriginal Australians ^[12]

Subspecies[edit]

The number of subspecies of S. subspinipes is unclear and varies between authors. Taxonomic characters have incorporated plastic traits such as colour and sulcus structure and the number and position of spines, producing indistinguishable and intergrading subspecies.^[2] A 2012 review found that one former subspecies, S. subspinipes cingulatoides is in fact a distinct species, and that S. subspinipes has no valid subspecies.^[2]

References[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Scolopendra subspinipes.