Lithobiomorpha
Lithobius forficatus, a common lithobiomorph
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Myriapoda
Class: Chilopoda
Order: Lithobiomorpha
Families

The Lithobiomorpha, also known as stone centipedes,[1] are an order of anamorphic centipedes;[2] they reach a mature segment count of 15 trunk segments. This group has lost the compound eyes, and sometimes has no eyes altogether. Instead, its eyes have a single ocellus or a group of ocelli. Its spiracles are paired and can be found laterally. Every leg-bearing segment of this organism has a separate tergite, these alternating in length apart from a pair of long tergites on each of segments 7 and 8. It also has relatively short antennae and legs compared to the Scutigeromorpha. Two families are included, the Henicopidae and Lithobiidae. Although they have previously been regarded as wholly carnivorous, feeding primarily on insects but also occasionally slugs and worms, they have been proven to feed on leaf litter, as well as associated small animals.[3][4]

References

  1. ^ "Stone Centipedes (Order Lithobiomorpha)". iNaturalist. Retrieved 2022-12-30.
  2. ^ Fusco, Giuseppe (2005). "Trunk segment numbers and sequential segmentation in myriapods". Evolution & Development. 7 (6): 608–617. doi:10.1111/j.1525-142X.2005.05064.x. ISSN 1525-142X. PMID 16336414. S2CID 21401688.
  3. ^ Lewis, J. G. E. (1965). "The Food and Reproductive Cycles of the Centipedes Lithobius Variegatus and Lithobius Forficatus in a Yorkshire Woodland". Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London. 144 (2): 269–284. doi:10.1111/j.1469-7998.1965.tb05178.x. ISSN 0370-2774.
  4. ^ Cloudsley-Thompson, J. L. (2015-05-11). Spiders, Scorpions, Centipedes and Mites: The Commonwealth and International Library: Biology Division. Elsevier. ISBN 978-1-4831-3967-8.
Categories