Biological Details
The faceted eyes of Scutigera coleoptrata are sensitive to daylight as well as very sensitive to ultraviolet light. They were shown to be able to visually distinguish between different mutations of Drosophila melanogaster. How this ability fits with its nocturnal lifestyle and underground natural habitat is still under study. They do not instantly change direction when light is suddenly shone at them, but retreat to a darker hiding spot.
Some of the plates covering the body segments fused and became smaller during the evolution to S. coleoptrata's current state. The resulting mismatch between body segments and dorsal plates (tergites) is the cause for this centipede's rigid body.
| Tergite | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Segments | 1 | 2 | 3, 4 | 5, 6 | 7, 8, 9 | 10, 11 | 12, 13 | 14, 15 | 16 | 17 | 18
(telson) |
| Leg pairs | Forcipules | 1 | 2, 3 | 4, 5 | 6, 7, 8 | 9, 10 | 11, 12 | 13, 14 | 15 (antenna-like snare legs) | (gonopod) | (anus) |
Tergites 10 and 11 are not fully developed and segment 18 does not have a sternite. This model deviates from descriptions by Lewis who identified only 7 tergites and 15 segments.
Another feature that sets S. coleoptrata apart from other centipedes is that their hemolymph was found to contain proteins for transporting oxygen.
The mitochondrial genome of Scutigera coleoptrata has been sequenced. This opened up discussions on the taxonomy and phylogeny of this and related species.
Read more about this topic: Scutigera Coleoptrata
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