Scolopendra alternans
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Myriapoda
Class: Chilopoda
Order: Scolopendromorpha
Family: Scolopendridae
Genus: Scolopendra
Species:
S. alternans
Binomial name
Scolopendra alternans
Synonyms[1][2]
Synonyms
  • Scolopendra complanata Newport, 1844
  • Scolopendra crudelis Koch, 1847
  • Scolopendra grayii Newport, 1844
  • Scolopendra hirsutipes Bollmann, 1893
  • Scolopendra incerta Newport, 1845
  • Scolopendra multispinata Newport, 1844
  • Scolopendra sagraea Gervais, 1837
  • Scolopendra testacea Wood, 1861
  • Scolopendra torquata Wood, 1861

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]

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 2 3 4 5 6 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. 1 2 3 "Scolopendra alternans Leach, 1815". ChiloBase. Retrieved October 6, 2022.
  3. 1 2 Dunlap, Sadie (March 26, 2022). "The 10 Biggest Centipedes in the World!".
  4. 1 2 "Caribbean Giant Centipede (Scolopendra alternans)". iNaturalist. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
  5. 1 2 3 "Florida Keys Centipede names - Encyclopedia of Life". eol.org. Retrieved October 2, 2022.
  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. ↑ Virata, John (September 6, 2022). "Rim Rock Crowned Snake Dies Trying To Eat Giant Centipede". Reptiles Magazine. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
  8. ↑ "Rare snake enters death match with venomous centipede in Key Largo. They reveal fascinating scientific discoveries". MSN. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
  9. ↑ History, Florida Museum of Natural (September 28, 2022). "North America's Rarest Snake Found Dead". SciTechDaily. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
  10. 1 2 3 "Haiti Giant Centipede - Scolopendra alternans". Exotic Pets UK. Retrieved October 6, 2022.
  11. ↑ "iDigBio Specimen Record | Scolopendra alternans leach". iDigBio Specimen Portal. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
  12. ↑ "Scolopendra alternans Leach, 1813". Global Biodiversity Information Facility. Retrieved October 4, 2022.
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