Scolopendra alternans, commonly known as the Haitian giant centipede,[3] Caribbean giant centipede,[4] and Florida Keys centipede,[b][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]
| Scolopendra alternans | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Myriapoda |
| Class: | Chilopoda |
| Order: | Scolopendromorpha |
| Family: | Scolopendridae |
| Genus: | Scolopendra |
| Species: | S. alternans
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| Binomial name | |
| Scolopendra alternans | |
| Synonyms[1][2] | |
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Synonyms
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Appearance
editScolopendra 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
editScolopendra alternans is a species group found in the whole Caribbean island and northern South America, with the Florida population reevaluated as a distinct species Scolopendra longipes.[1] They have also been reported as far north as Georgia.[11][5][4]
Notes
edit- ^ Sources vary: some say 1813 or 1816.
- ^ 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
edit- ^ a b c d e f 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.
- ^ a b "Scolopendra alternans Leach, 1815". ChiloBase. Retrieved October 6, 2022.
- ^ Dunlap, Sadie (March 26, 2022). "The 10 Biggest Centipedes in the World!".
- ^ a b "Caribbean Giant Centipede (Scolopendra alternans)". iNaturalist. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
- ^ a b c "Florida Keys Centipede names - Encyclopedia of Life". eol.org. Retrieved October 2, 2022.
- ^ Gillett-Kaufman, Jennifer (May 6, 2014). "What's the biggest bug in Florida?". UF/IFAS Entomology and Nematology Department. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
- ^ Virata, John (September 6, 2022). "Rim Rock Crowned Snake Dies Trying To Eat Giant Centipede". Reptiles Magazine. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
- ^ "Rare snake enters death match with venomous centipede in Key Largo. They reveal fascinating scientific discoveries". MSN. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
- ^ History, Florida Museum of Natural (September 28, 2022). "North America's Rarest Snake Found Dead". SciTechDaily. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
- ^ a b c "Haiti Giant Centipede - Scolopendra alternans". Exotic Pets UK. Retrieved October 6, 2022.
- ^ "Scolopendra alternans Leach, 1813". Global Biodiversity Information Facility. Retrieved October 4, 2022.