ScolopendromorphaScolopendridae

Arthrorhabdus pygmaeus

This record describes Arthrorhabdus pygmaeus (species). Recorded family: Scolopendridae. Recorded order: Scolopendromorpha.

Identification and Appearance

Arthrorhabdus pygmaeus - Arthrorhabdus pygmaeus — Contributed by Tyler Hedlund; Additional contributions by v belov

First intersegmental joint is abut to the first tergite

Classification

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Chilopoda
Order: Scolopendromorpha (Bark Centipedes)
Family: Scolopendridae
Genus: Arthrorhabdus

Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.

Habitat and Range

Geographic Range

TX, AZ , Mexico

Additional species information

Species notes from the sources

Etymology: Arthrorhabdus pygmaeus Pocock 1895

About Bark Centipedes: the wider group

Order-level background for Scolopendromorpha, the group containing Arthrorhabdus pygmaeus. Species-specific details appear above.

Group overview

Scolopendromorpha includes ~700 described species of tropical centipedes. The giant Amazonian centipede (Scolopendra gigantea) can reach 30cm (12 inches) and is known to catch and eat bats from cave ceilings.

Ecological role of the group

Centipedes are important nocturnal predators in tropical and temperate forests, feeding on insects, spiders, and even small vertebrates. All centipedes are venomous - they inject venom through modified front legs called forcipules.

Economic and practical significance of the group

Centipede venom is being actively researched for pain-relieving compounds. A peptide from the Chinese red-headed centipede (Scolopendra subspinipes mutilans) has shown effectiveness as a painkiller comparable to morphine in laboratory studies.

Recorded sources for this group: Toxinology research, tropical ecology. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.

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