The Scrotal Is a species of myriapod quilópodo of the family Scolopendridae , Commonly known as scolopendrons.
Scythopendrons are a family of giant centipedes. Scopopendras of various sizes can be found, depending on the weather. Meanwhile in Warm climates Tend to be small in size, Tropical climates We can find scopopendras up to 30 cm.
Scolopendra cingulata.
Most of these giant centipedes are poisonous, with a rather painful bite. Although they are unlikely to kill a human being, they can cause a painful and necrotizing edema in the affected area.
Carlos Linneo Was the creator of the name of Scolopendra, in its tenth edition of the book Systema Naturae Of 1758. In his initial studies, Carlos Linneo included in the family of the escolopéndridos many species that nowadays are considered inside another family of insects.
At present only the Scolopendra Gigante and the Scolopendra Morsitans, remain within the classification that made Linneo initially. Even today, new species of scolopendras are still found in different parts of the planet.
These arthropods are usually nocturnal animals that spend the day hiding under leaves and rocks, making it difficult to find them. Thus it is explained that not all the subgenera of the family of the escolopéndridos are known.
Color and size of the choirs
The color patterns of the scopopendras vary depending on the region in which they are found. They usually vary in shades of greenish brown to yellowish brown, depending on the weather.
For example, in Europe, the most widespread genus of scolopendra is S Scolopendra Cingulata, Which has a characteristic yellowish brown color. The younger specimens of the scolopendra have a more orange color.
As with color, the size of the scopopendras varies depending on the region in which they are found. They can have sizes up to 15 cm Scolopendra Cingulata o Can exceed 30 cm as the Scolopendra Gigantea Which is found in tropical areas of South America.
It should be noted that Scolopendra Gigantea Is the largest of the species of the escopopendras and can get to feed on small rodents and bats. It has a more orange color.
The scolopendras have 21 pairs of legs, of which the last two are very robust and function as thorns that can nail their prey, imitating the scorpions. It also has front antennae and tweezers used to catch its prey.
The escopopendras are solitary animals, to the point of getting to cannibalism among the same species if they meet with an individual of this. This insect is incredibly long-lived, being able to live for about 7 years
Reproduction
Scleropendras usually hibernate during the winter period, in warm climates. When your hibernation period ends, in March or April, the playback time begins.
The male weaves a net where he deposits a capsule containing his sperm. The female catches the capsule and uses it herself to fecundate, without further help from the male. This process usually lasts one hour.
One month after the fertilization, the escopopendras usually have between 20 and 30 eggs, being the female the one in charge of the care of the same. The female is placed on top of the eggs during the incubation period, which usually lasts for a month and a half. It only leaves in few occasions.
If the female feels threatened during the incubation period, it is normal for the eggs of her offspring to be eaten to protect them. The scolopendras can reproduce from the first year of life.
Poison
Scolopendras are mostly poisonous. They have a poison inoculator system behind their jaws known as forcites. These inject venom into their prey, usually insects. Larger scopopendra can feed on bats and small rodents.
The forcers are a large fang located behind the jaw of the escopopendras. Connected to the formulas are two glands in which the poison accumulates in the front of your body.
The venom of the scolopendras is not deadly for humans, however, its bite can be quite painful, with edema and local inflammation.
For example, the bite of the Scolopendra Cataracta , Can cause pain that spreads throughout the leg or an entire arm of a human. While the pain may last for days, it usually does not have any long-lasting effects.
Uses in medicine
The venom of the scolopendras has been used by traditional Chinese medicine to treat spasms, seizures, and even diphtheria. Although we do not yet know all the components of venom of the escopopendra, some of the components are the Serotonin , Histamine and polypeptides.
Recent studies have investigated the venom of the scolopendra as a possible anticancer. These studies show that the mixture of venom of the ethanol , Slows the growth of cancer cells and reduces tumor size.
However, years of research are still needed to apply the venom as a cancer cure method.
Example of scoliosis Scolopendra Cingulata
The Scolopendra Cingulata Is the most widespread type of escoppendras by Europe, with special incidence in the Mediterranean zone, in mountainous areas. It can reach a size of 17 cm in length, and has 21 pairs of legs. They deserve special mention the two backs that are very robust and are considered like thorns.
The name of Scolopendra Cingulata Is collected for the first time in the studies of Pierre André Latreille , A French priest who devoted his free time to the study of insects. The taxa that Latreille used in his entomology studies are still used today.
The Scolopendra Cingulata Lives under stones or in burrows made in the ground, where the hidden day is spent. This species of scolopendra hunt at night, and feeds mainly on nocturnal invertebrates such as spiders and cockroaches.
References
- Stylianos M. Simiakis, Aggeliki Dimopoulou. (March 2012) The evolutionary history of the Mediterranean centipede Scolopendra cingulate across the Aegean archipelago. Biological Journal, Volume 105, 507-521. Retrieved from onlinelibrary.wiley.com.
- Bates, Mary (2016) First Amphibious Centipede Discovered, National Geographic Magazine.
- Waru, t Siriwut; Gregory D. Edgecombe (2015) The Centipede Genus Scolopendra in Mainland Southeast Asia: Molecular Phylogenetics, Geometric Morphometrics and External Morphology as Tools for Species Delimitation. Plos article. Retrieved from journals.plos.org.
- Weina Ma, Dongdong Zhang, Lei Zheng (2015) Potential roles of Centipede Scolopendra extracts a strategy against EGFR-dependent cancers. US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health.
- Bashir M. Jarrar (2010) Morphology, Histology and Histochemistry of the Venom Apparatus of the Centipede, Scolopendra valida (Chilopoda, Scolopendridae). Recovered from scielo.cl.
- Breeding of the Scolopendra. Botanical Online. Retrieved from botanical-online.com.
- JESUS MOLINARI, ELIÉCER E. GUTIÉRREZ, ANTONIO A. DE ASCENÇÃO, (2005) Predation by Giant Centipedes, Scolopendra gigantea, on Three Species of Bats in Venezuelan Cave. Caribbean Journal of Science, Vol. 41, No. 2, 340-346.