Scolopendra galapagoensis

Scolopendra galapagoensis
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Myriapoda
Class: Chilopoda
Order: Scolopendromorpha
Family: Scolopendridae
Genus: Scolopendra
Species:
S. galapagoensis
Binomial name
Scolopendra galapagoensis
Bollmann, 1889
Synonyms[1][2]

Scolopendra gigentea weyrauchi (Bücherl, 1950)
Hemiscolopendra galapagosa (Chamberlain, 1955)

Scolopendra galapagoensis, also known as the Galápagos centipede[3][4] and Darwin's goliath centipede,[5][6] is species of very large centipede in the family Scolopendridae.[7] It is the only representative of the genus Scolopendra on the Galapagos Islands, among twelve other species of centipede present on the Islands.[8][9] It is also found on mainland South America in Ecuador and Peru, and on Cocos Island in Costa Rica.[9][8]

Appearance

The Galápagos Centipede is one of the largest species of centipede in the world. Specimens have been recorded with lengths up to 30 cm.[9][6]

Colour morphs

Scolopendra galapagoensis exhibits two colour morphs:[6]

# Body Legs Notes Images
1 Dark green to black Striped, Orange to dark brown Known as 'Dark Morph' to enthusiasts[6]
2 Orange-red Pale Yellow Known as 'Orange Morph' to enthusiasts[6]

Diet and predation

See also: Centipede § Ecology

S. galapagoensis has been reported preying on crickets, newborn rodents, the Galapagos Rice Rat, and, in one paper, a Floreana Racer snake.[6] It is hunted by a variety of birds of prey including the Galapagos hawk, two species of mockingbird, and the common Black Rat.[9]

References

  1. ^ Léon Baert; Henri W. Herrera. "The Myriapoda of the Galápagos Archipelago, Ecuador (Chilopoda, Diplopoda, Symphyla)". ResearchGate. Belgian Journal of Entomology. Retrieved 14 August 2022.
  2. ^ Shelley, R. M.; Kiser, S. B. (May 1, 2000). "Neotype designation and a diagnostic account for the centipede, Scolopendra gigantea L. 1758, with an account of S. galapagoensis Bollman 1889 (Chilopoda Scolopendromorpha Scolopendridae)". Tropical Zoology. 13 (1): 159–170. doi:10.1080/03946975.2000.10531129. S2CID 83560131 – via Taylor and Francis+NEJM.
  3. ^ "Galapagos Species Checklist". Charles Darwin Foundation. Retrieved 2022-08-11.
  4. ^ "Galápagos Centipede (Scolopendra galapagoensis)". iNaturalist. Retrieved 2022-08-11.
  5. ^ Dunlap, Sadie (2021-10-11). "The 10 Biggest Centipedes in the World!". AZ Animals. Retrieved 2022-08-11.
  6. ^ a b c d e f Jake (2022-07-30). "Different Types of Centipedes with Pictures". Pestbugs. Retrieved 2022-08-11.
  7. ^ "Scolopendra galapagoensis Bollman, 1889". www.gbif.org. Retrieved 2022-08-10.
  8. ^ a b Baert, Léon; Herrera, Henri W. (2013). "The Myriapoda of the Galápagos Archipelago, Ecuador (Chilopoda, Diplopoda, Symphyla)". Belgian Journal of Entomology. 1 (49) – via ResearchGate.
  9. ^ a b c d Ortiz-Catedral, Luis; Christian, Eli; Chimborazo, Walter; Sevilla, Christian; Rueda, Danny. "A Galapagos Centipede Scolopendra Galapagoensis Preys On A Floreana Racer Pseudalsophis Biserialis". Galapagos Research. 70: 2, 3 – via ResearchGate, Charles Darwin Foundation.


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