Scolopendra morsitans

Scolopendra morsitans was first described by Carl Linnaeus in his book 10th edition of Systema Naturae in 1758 and has since retained its original scientific name. The species was nominated as the type species of the centipede genus Scolopendra in a submission to the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature in 1955 which was approved two years later. The name 'Scolopendra' is derived from a Greek term meaning 'biting earthworms' which was first used by Aristotle in his book Historia Animalium to refer to aquatic polychaetes and terrestrial centipedes. The word 'morsitans' means 'that bites' in Latin, a name that is shared with a species of tsetse fly (Glossina morsitans). There are two recognised subspecies of S. morsitans—Scolopendra morsitans morsitans, which was first described by Linnaeus in 1758 to refer to a species locality in India, and Scolopendra morsitans coerulescens, which was described by Francis Cragin and refers to a species locality first found in Kansas in the United States. The species is monophyletic and occupies a clade with Scolopendra pinguis, which is the most closely related member of the genus Scolopendra to S. morsitans. ==Description==

Tanzanian blue ringlegs have been recorded to grow to lengths of up to in Australian populations, though in other regions, including Southeast Asia, they rarely exceed . Because S. morsitans populations differ greatly in colouration, using colour alone to identify the species can be misleading. However, adults are generally characterised by a bright red head and brownish body with distinct striations between each body segment. Juveniles lack clear stripes and often have a head that is a similar colour to their body trunk. In field observations, the species can sometimes be distinguished from other Scolopendras by its relatively thick rear legs (known as ultimate legs).In north-western Thailand, adult Tanzanian blue ringlegs have dark blackish heads and ultimate legs, whilst in north-east Thailand and Cambodia the centipedes have bright red heads and ultimate legs. Similar variations in colour have been observed across Australia and Africa. The centipede's antennae typically have 18–20 segments (occasionally 17 or 21–23), with the 5–7 segments closest to the head having dorsally facing hairs and the next 5–8 having ventrally facing hairs. Their tooth plates contain 5–6 teeth. Body segments 7–20 contain visible lines (known as paramedian sutures) surrounding the centre of the trunk, while the final segment of the centipede has a central line known as a medial suture. The centipede does not display obvious sexual dimorphism so subtle differences between the lateral margins of the tergites of male and female individuals are used as a visible determinant of sex. == Distribution ==

The Tanzanian blue ringleg occupies a cosmopolitan distribution, Individual populations of Tanzanian blue ringlegs are known to differ in physical characteristics based on their local geographical distributions, == Life cycle ==

Male centipedes produce sperm-containing packets known as spermatophores wrapped in a silk-like substance which they then deposit in the sexual organs of female centipedes. The sexual organs of male and female Tanzanian blue ringlegs are not visually distinct, and examination of an individual's tergites is required to reliably determine its sex. In captivity, S. morsitans has been reported to live for around 4 years. == Behaviour ==

Centipedes of the family Scolopendridae are known to be opportunistic, generalist predators which primarily capture and kill live prey. Blue ringleng forcipules are able to detect chemicals such as glucose and can act as sensory organs in the centipede, providing evidence that they play a role in its ability to taste and interact with its environment. Tanzanian blue ringlegs, along with other centipedes of the genus Scolopendra, are known to use their ultimate legs in threat displays—raising the appendages aggressively when approached from behind. This behaviour is thought to be a form of automimicry, confusing potential predators by disguising their vulnerable flanks as their fang-bearing heads. == Toxicology ==

Tanzanian blue ringleg venom is neurotoxic and acts on the nervous systems of invertebrates, and autonomic nervous system of vertebrates, to rapidly paralyse and kill the centipede's prey. The protein components of the centipede's venom bear close resemblance to the venom compositions of scorpions and spiders such as the Mexican scorpion Centruroides limpidus, the black widow spider, and the brown recluse spider. Esterases in the venom of the Tanzanian blue ringleg were the first active enzymes to be found in the venom of any centipede, and were discovered by researchers at Ain Shams University in 1983. Transferrins are thought to function in support of the blue ringleg's immunity as they are known to display antibacterial properties in invertebrates. are thought to result from bacterial and fungal genes that have been horizontally transferred by microorganisms throughout the evolutionary history of the chilopods. Although robust case studies of S. morsitans are limited, == References ==