Geophilus vittatus, also known as the diamondback soil centipede,[2] is a species of soil centipede in the family Geophilidae widespread in North America[3] and named for the dark band of diamond-shaped markings across its back. G. vittatus grows up to 52 millimeters in length, though it averages 25–40, and ranges from brown- to orange-yellow in color, with 49–53 leg pairs in females, 49–51 leg pairs in males, and a lack of consolidated carpophagus structures. It can be found under any debris on the forest floor, but mostly under loose bark[4] and occasionally near the sea.[5]
| Diamondback soil centipede | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Myriapoda |
| Class: | Chilopoda |
| Order: | Geophilomorpha |
| Family: | Geophilidae |
| Genus: | Geophilus |
| Species: | G. vittatus
|
| Binomial name | |
| Geophilus vittatus Rafinesque, 1820
| |
| Synonyms[1] | |
| |
Taxonomy
editG. rubens' (Say, 1821) synonymy with G. vittatus was proved by Hoffman & Crabill (1953), and was originally very likely based on a specimen of Strigamia bidens.[6]
Behavior
editWhen threatened, G. vittatus will secrete poisons from its underside.[2] The secretion is proteinaceous and contains two cyanogenetic compounds, mandelonitrile and benzoyl cyanide, as well as two products derived from these compounds as a result of hydrogen cyanide production (benzaldehyde and benzoic acid). Benzoyl cyanide has not been previously recorded from a natural source.[7]
References
edit- ^ "Geophilus vittatus (Rafinesque,1820)". ChiloBase 2.0. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
- ^ a b "Species Geophilus vittatus - Diamondback Soil Centipede". BugGuide. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
- ^ "Geophilus vittatus (Rafinesque, 1820)". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
- ^ Crabill, Ralph E. (1954). "A conspectus of the northeastern North American species of Geophilus (Chilopoda Geophilomorpha Geophilidae)". Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington. 56: 172–188. Retrieved 10 November 2021 – via Biodiversity Heritage Library.
- ^ Barber, A.D (2009). "Littoral myriapods: a review" (PDF). Soil Organisms. 81 (3): 735–760. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
- ^ Hoffman, Richard L. (1995). The Centipedes (Chilopoda) of Virginia: A First List (PDF) (Number 5 ed.). Martinsville, Virginia: Banisteria - Virginia Museum of Natural History. pp. 4–5. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
- ^ Jones, Tappey H.; Conner, William E.; Meinwald, Jerrold; Eisner, Hans E.; Eisner, Thomas (1976). "Benzoyl cyanide and mandelonitrile in the cyanogenetic secretion of a centipede". Journal of Chemical Ecology. 2 (4): 421–429. doi:10.1007/BF00988807. S2CID 20051462. Retrieved 10 November 2021.