Scolopendra morsitans Linnaeus, 1758

Siriwut, Warut, Edgecombe, Gregory D., Sutcharit, Chirasak, Tongkerd, Piyoros & Panha, Somsak, 2016, A taxonomic review of the centipede genus Scolopendra Linnaeus, 1758 (Scolopendromorpha, Scolopendridae) in mainland Southeast Asia, with description of a new species from Laos, ZooKeys 590, pp. 1-124 : 9-14

Taxon classification Animalia Scolopendromorpha Scolopendridae

Scolopendra morsitans Linnaeus, 1758 Figs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

Scolopendra morsitans Linnaeus, 1758: 638. Newport 1844: 97, 1845: 378. Koch 1847: 163. Wood 1862: 23. Kohlrausch 1881: 104. Meinert 1886: 200. Haase 1887: 52, pl. 3, figs 52-54. Daday 1889: 150, 1891: 150. Silvestri 1895: 714. Kraepelin 1903: 250. Attems 1907: 80, 1909: 13, 1914a: 106, 1927: 61, 1930b: 23, Figs 38-39, 1930c: 175 1932: 5, 1938: 334. Brölemann 1912: 54. Muralewicz 1913: 200. Takakuwa 1942a: 359, 1942b: 15, 1942c: 41, 1943: 171, 1947: 936. Bücherl 1974: 107. Chamberlin and Wang 1952: 180. Jangi 1955: 597-607, 1959: 253-257. Wang 1955a: 198, 1955b: 16, 1956: 158, 1957: 27, 1962: 101, 1965: 450, 1967b: 391. Würmli 1975: 201-206. Koch 1983a: 79-91. Jangi and Dass 1984: 29, fig. 1. Lewis 2002: 81, 2010b: 107, figs 4, 33, 34. Shelley 2005: 39, figs 57-64, 2006: 5. Shelley et al. 2005: 39-58. Schileyko 2007: 75. Akkari et al. 2008: 83, map. 2. Decker 2013: 19. Tran et al. 2013: 228. Chagas-Júnior et al. 2014: 138.

Scolopendra brandtiana Gervais, 1837: 16. Newport 1845: 379.

Scolopendra bilineata Brandt, 1840: 155. Kohlrausch 1881: 108.

Scolopendra crassipes Brandt, 1840: 153. Kohlrausch 1881: 108.

Scolopendra erythrocephala Brandt, 1840: 155. Kohlrausch 1881: 108.

Scolopendra limbata Brandt, 1840: 154. Kraepelin 1903: 250.

Scolopendra platypus Brandt, 1840: 153. Newport 1844: 97, 1845: 379.

Scolopendra elegans Brandt, 1841: 21. Kohlrausch 1881: 107.

Scolopendra fulvipes Brandt, 1841: 22. Kohlrausch 1881: 108.

Scolopendra morsitans scopoliana C.L. Koch, 1841: 222, pl. 11. Akkari et al. 2008: 83.

Scolopendra angulipes Newport, 1844: 97. Kohlrausch 1881: 108.

Scolopendra leachii Newport, 1844: 97. Kraepelin 1903: 251.

Scolopendra longicornis Newport, 1844: 97. Kohlrausch 1881: 109.

Scolopendra platypoides Newport, 1844: 97. Kohlrausch 1881: 111.

Scolopendra tuberculidens Newport, 1844: 97. Kohlrausch 1881: 108.

Scolopendra algerina Newport, 1845: 387. Akkari et al. 2008: 83.

Scolopendra fabricii Newport, 1845: 384. Kohlrausch 1881: 107.

Scolopendra formosa Newport, 1845: 383. Kohlrausch 1881: 108.

Scolopendra richardsoni Newport, 1845: 385. Kohlrausch 1881: 109.

Scolopendra tigrina Newport, 1845: 381. Kohlrausch 1881: 108.

Scolopendra varia Newport, 1845: 380. Kohlrausch 1881: 111.

Scolopendra tongana Gervais, 1847: 275. Kohlrausch 1881: 110.

Scolopendra infesta Koch, 1847: 169. Kohlrausch 1881: 112.

Scolopendra planipes Koch, 1847: 168. Kohlrausch 1881: 106.

Scolopendra pella Wood, 1861: 13. Kohlrausch 1881: 111.

Scolopendra porphyratainia Wood, 1861: 15. Kohlrausch 1881: 108.

Scolopendra brachypoda Peters, 1862: 529, pl. 33, fig. 2. Kohlrausch 1881: 107.

Scolopendra mossambica Peters, 1862: 527, pl. 33, fig. 4. Kohlrausch 1881: 107.

Scolopendra compressipes Wood, 1862: 31. Haase 1887: 52.

Scolopendra modesta Wood, 1862: 29. Kraepelin 1903: 251.

Scolopendra carinipes Humbert & Saussure, 1870: 204. Kohlrausch 1881: 111.

Scolopendra afzelii Porat, 1871: 1146. Meinert 1886: 200.

Scolopendra attenuata Porat, 1871: 1148. Meinert 1886: 200.

Scolopendra chlorocephala Porat, 1871: 1149. Meinert 1886: 200.

Scolopendra cognata Porat, 1871: 1145 Meinert 1886: 200.

Scolopendra intermedia Porat, 1871: 1145. Meinert 1886: 200.

Scolopendra picturata Porat, 1871: 1144. Meinert 1886: 200.

Scolopendra pilosella Porat, 1871: 1148. Meinert 1886: 200.

Scolopendra saltatoria Porat, 1871: 1151. Meinert 1886: 200.

Scolopendra vaga Porat, 1871: 1151. Kraepelin 1903: 251.

Scolopendra wahlbergi Porat, 1871: 1150. Meinert 1886: 200.

Eurylithobius slateri Butler, 1876: 446. Kraepelin 1903: 250.

Scolopendra impressa Porat, 1876: 12. Meinert 1886: 200.

Scolopendra morsitans procera Haase, 1887: 53, pl. 33, fig. 53. Kraepelin 1903: 250.

Scolopendra morsitans sulcipes Haase, 1887: 54, pl. 33, fig. 54. Kraepelin 1903: 250.

Scolopendra morsitans calcarata Daday, 1891: 150. Kraepelin 1903: 250.

Scolopendra grandidieri Saussure & Zehntner, 1902: 302, pl. 3, fig. 13, pl. 12, fig. 6. Kraepelin 1903: 251.

Scolopendra lineata Saussure & Zehntner, 1902: 308, pl. 15, fig. 19. Kraepelin 1903: 251.

Scolopendra spinosella Saussure & Zehntner, 1902: 308, pl. 2, fig. 11. Kraepelin 1903: 251.

Scolopendra morsitans fasciata Attems, 1930a: 372. Würmli 1975: 205.

Scolopendra morsitans amazonica Bücherl, 1946: 135. Würmli 1975: 205.

Trachycormocephalus jodhpurensis Khanna, 1977: 154, figs 5-8. Jangi and Dass 1980: 67.

Type locality.

India.

Material.

Thailand - CUMZ 00343, one spm., Hui Hong Khrai, Chiang Mai (18°50'59.5"N, 99°13'16.4"E). CUMZ 00340, one spm., Lainan, Weing Sa, Nan (18°34'16.1"N, 100°46'59.7"E). CUMZ 00405, one spm., Wat Khao Isan, Pak Tho, Ratchaburi (13°23'2.458"N, 99°46'16.525"E). CUMZ 00302, two spms., Wat Mahavanh, Buriram (14°41'09.8"N, 102°52'33.8"E). CUMZ 00342, one spm., Ban Khok Pho, Prasat, Surin (14°32'53.4"N, 103°22'19.1"E). CUMZ 00339, one spm., Ban Dan Chang, Ta Kantho, Kalasin (16°50'06.1"N, 103°16'32.0"E). CUMZ 00409, one spm., Nong Bo, Borabue, Maha Sarakham (16°1'35.695"N, 103°7'42.487"E). CUMZ 00410, two spms., Ban Tha Tum, Mueang, Maha Sarakham (16°10'45.231"N, 103°27'4.134"E). CUMZ 00411, one spm., Wat Pa Sai Mun, Sai Mun, Yasothon (15°56'45.092"N, 104°12'1.929"E). CUMZ 00412, two spms., Wat Tham Pha Koeng, Phu Wiang, Khon Kaen (16°42'10.303"N, 102°14'56.901"E). CUMZ 00414, two spms., Wan Tham Chia, Nong Ruea, Khon Kaen (16°32'27.014"N, 102°33'19.454"E). CUMZ 00413, two spms., Phu Wiang National Park, Nong Bua Rawe, Chaiyaphum (16°41'4.089"N, 102°14'38.477"E). CUMZ 00299, one spm., Wang Bua, Kabin Buri, Prachinburi (13°57'16.3"N, 101°36'37.3"E). CUMZ 00406, one spm., Wang Bo Waterfall, Mueang, Prachin Buri (14°10'33.933"N, 101°25'40.163"E). CUMZ 00407, 16 spms., Khram Yai Island, Sattahip, Chon Buri (12°42'18.095"N, 100°50'29.35"E). CUMZ 00341, one spm., Juang Island, Sattahip, Chonburi (12°31'46.4"N, 100°57'18.4"E). CUMZ 00408, three adult and numerous juvenile spms., Ta Phraya, Sa Kaeo (14°5'1.047"N, 102°45'36.389"E). CUMZ 00300, two spms., Mueang, Sa Kaeo (13°49'07.9"N, 102°03'10.5"E). CUMZ 00344, one spm., Tha Kra Bak Reservoir, Sa Kaeo (13°58'13.9"N, 102°15'57.6"E). CUMZ 00301, one spm., Kuiburi, Prachuab Khiri Khan (12°06'32.0"N, 99°45'53.0"E). CUMZ 00403, 12 spms., Hat Wanakon National Park, Tab Sakae, Prachuab Khiri Khan (11°38'6.012"N, 99°42'5.25 ’’). CUMZ 00404, five spms., Kui Buri National Park, Kui Buri, Prachuab Khiri Khan (12°8'57.096"N, 99°45'34.433"E). CUMZ 00402, two spms., Ban Laem Sai, Chaiya, Surat Thani (9°24' 9.691"N, 99°17'19.719"E). CUMZ 00400, one spm., Ching Kho, Singhanakhon, Songkhla (7°16'44.261"N, 100°31'36.759"E). CUMZ 00401, eight spms., Nhai Plao Beach, Khanom, Nakhon Si Thammarat (9°7'52.64"N, 99° 52' 39.415"E). NHMUK 1897.9.7.29, one spm., Betong, Yala, leg. S.S. Flower. NHMUK, one spm., Ko Kraew [Khao Kaeo, Chonburi]. NHMUK, one spm., Ko Kraam [Kram Islands, Chonburi], leg. S.S. Flower, 1897-1898.

Cambodia - CUMZ 00345, one spm., Wat Phanombak, Srisophon (13°36'05.5"N, 102°57'09.3"E). NHMW, two spms., Mount Cardamones [Cardamom Mountain], 500 m above sea level, Mission Dawydoff, April 1893.

Laos - CUMZ 00419, two spms., Ban Na Ka-Som, Attapue (14°48'30.477"N, 106°50'49.948"E), CUMZ 00420, two spms., Wat Kao Kaeo, Pakse, Champasak (14°11'30.572"N, 105°54'30.821"E), CUMZ 00421, two spms., Savannhaket (16°38'25.053"N, 104°50'0.994"E)

Myanmar - CUMZ 00415, two spms., Old Bagan, Bagan (21°10'19.161"N, 94°51'34.61"E). CUMZ 00416, two spms., Kyaing, Pakokku (21°52'37.982"N, 94°37'47.384"E). NHMUK, one spm., Pyrimana [Pyinmana], Upper Burma. NHMUK 1889.7.15.14-18, 21 spms., Teikiyi (Rangoon) [Yangon], leg. E.W. Oates. NHMUK 1889.7.15-16, two spms., Moulmein. NHMUK 1889.7.15.17, five spms., Townwingyi (upper Burma) [Taunggyi, Shan State], leg. E.W. Oates. NHMUK 1889.7.15.15, six spms., Iharrawady [Ayeyarwady Region], leg. E.W. Oates. NHMUK 1889.7.15-20, 20 spms., Mandalay, leg. E.W. Oates (Cap). NHMW Inv. No. 671, one spm., Osl-Indien, Aracan [Rakhine State], leg. Stoliczka, 1873.

Vietnam - NHMUK 1926.9.30.13, one spm., Thai Nien Basin, Heure Range, Tonkin, leg. Sladen-Godman, Trust Expedition. NHMUK, one spm., Annam, with label “?19”.

Brunei - NHMUK 1973.7.659, one spm., Jerudong, with label "CIE Coll. A6527". NHMW Inv. No. 641, one spm., Brunei, don. Stimdarlmus.

Philippines - NHMUK, one spm., Mactan, Zebu Island. NHMUK 1913.6.18.851-853, one spm., Philippines. NHMW Inv. No. 646, two spms., Manila, Novara Expedition.

Indonesia - NHMW Inv. No. 659, one spm., Padang, Sumatra, leg. Comal Fehiel, 1901. NHMW Inv. No. 12?, one spm., Java, with label "adeusawer 8". NHMW Inv. No. 636, five spms, Batavia, Java, Novara Expedition, 1857-1859. NHMUK 1913.6.18.849, one spm., Celebes, with label "Spec. No. 28". NHMW Inv. No. 632, one spm., Celebes, leg. Beruh. Walt, 3 January 1894. NHMUK, one spm., Seram [Seram Island, Maluku Province], leg. Dr. R.F. Ellen, det. D. MacFarlane, 1975. NHMW Inv. No. 635, one spm., Amboina [Ambon], leg. Doleschal, 1859.

China - NHMUK 1928.3.16.41-42, two spms., Amoy, leg. Prof. B. Ping 4/2/1926. NHMUK, two spms., China. NHMW Inv. No. 652, one spm., Hong Kong, April 1901. NHMW Inv. No. 638, two spms., Takao [Kaohsiung, Taiwan], leg. H. Sauler. NHMW Inv. No. 643, one spm., Fumasra [Formosa: Taiwan], leg. Breitenstein, 1884.

Japan - NHMUK 1913.6.18.853, one spm., Japan, leg. Koch. NHMUK 1892.10.10, one spm., Loochoo [Ryukyu Islands], leg. Holst. NHMW Inv. No. 647, two spms., Ishikagi-Jiwa, Liu Kiu Island [Ryukyu Islands], leg. H. Sauler.

Indian and Middle Asian Territory - NHMUK 1930.4.11.14, one spm., Ahmadabad, leg. Capt. J.B.E. Manning I.M.S. NHMUK, one spm., North Behar, Champharam, leg. Mrs. Campbell Martens with note "see letter 24/9/1930". NHMUK, one spm., Mandras in 1925, leg. F.A. Turk. NHMUK, one spm., on porch at Bombay, leg. N.H. Soc, 1/8/1902. NHMUK 1894.10.24.70-73, five spms., Madras, leg. J.R. Henderson. NHMUK 1910.4.10.31, one spm., Ceylon, Bainbridge Fletcher’s collection. NHMUK 1903.6.18.848, one spm., Bombay. NHMUK 1948.8.6.5, one spm., Kasual [Kansal], Punjab, leg. S.F. Woodward. NHMUK 1975.12, one spm., Ceylon. NHMUK, one spm., Andaman Island, leg. B.B. Osmaston and P.A. Buxton, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. NHMUK, one spm., Northern Baluchiotan [Balochistan, Pakistan], brought to Indian Museum, leg. Prof. P.A. Buxton, Indian School of Tropical Medicine. NHMUK, one spm., Calcutta, leg. Dr. S.P.R. Chaudhuri, relocated in 25.4.49. NHMUK, one spm., Indian Ocean, with label "Assumption of J.S. Gardiner in 1952.12.17". NHMUK, 10 spms., Aldaima, Maldives, November, 1908, det. J.S. Gardiner. NHMUK, two spms., Aldaima, Maldives, 17/12/1952. NHMUK 1952.12.17.247, one spm., Astove Island, Indian Ocean, leg. J.S. Gardiner. NHMUK 1948.10.11.8-4, five spms., Delhi, leg. J.H. Graham. NHMUK 1896.10.2.3-4, two spms., Assam, leg. E.W.P. Cambridge. NHMW Inv. No. 665, one spm., Calcutta, leg. Stoliezka, 1865. NHMW Inv. No. 650, one spm., Kamoly?, Ceylon, leg. M. Hoelui, September, 1892. NHMW Inv. No. 673, two spms., Osindien [East India], with label “Parr.”. NHMW Inv. No. 642, one spm., Kagi Island, Maldives, leg. H. Sauler.

Africa - NHMUK, one spm., imported with bananas from West Africa, leg. J. Knight Co. Ltd Bermondsey, Indian S.E. on 17/5/1952. NHMUK, one spm., St. Helena Island, South Atlantic Ocean. NHMUK 1892.5.16.1, one spm., Delagoa Bay [Maputo], leg. J. de Coster. NHMUK 1954.7.5.17, one female, Tanga, Tanganyika territory, Tanzania, leg. R.H.C. Sweeney. NHMUK, two spms., St. Helena, leg. A. Loveridge. NHMUK, one spm., Shinyanga [Shinyanga, Tanzania?], Tanganyika, leg. P. Gettliffe.

Australia - NHMW Inv. No. 637, two spms., Gayndah [Queensland], New-Holland. NHMW Inv. No. 666, one spm., Neu Holland, leg. Dr. Millas, 1884.

South Pacific - NHMUK 1893.11.15.1-2, two spms., Tongatapu. NHMUK 1975.65, one spm., Samoan Island [Samoa]. NHMUK 1966.72, two spms., Samoan Island. NHMUK 1892.12.27.11-13, two spms., Levuka, Fiji, leg. H. Hjorring, det. G.M. Thomson. NHMUK 1913.6.18.850, one spm., Vamma Levu [Vanua Levu, Fiji]. NHMUK 1976.31, two spms., Samoan Island. NHMW Inv. No. 634, one spm., Tahiti. NHMW Inv. No. 649, one spm., Tahiti, Museum Goddefroi, 3/3/1881.

Undetermined locality - NHMW Inv. No. 640, one spm., Yantempo, leg. H. Sauler. NHMUK 1985.29, three spms., with label “Lnas”.

Diagnosis.

17-23 antennal articles, 5-8 basal articles glabrous dorsally. Each tooth-plate with 5-6 teeth. Tergites 7(12)-20 with paramedian sutures. Tergite of ultimate leg-bearing segment with median suture. Complete paramedian sutures on sternites 2-20. Coxopleural process with 3-4 apical and 0-1 lateral spines. Ultimate leg prefemora with three rows of ventral spines (2-6 VL, 3 V, 2-6 VM), 2-6 M, 2-6 DM and 0-8 spines on prefemoral process. One tarsal spur on legs 1-19 (in Southeast Asia).

Composite description.

Body length up to 12.7 mm (In Australian populations according to Koch (1983a)). Reddish-brown or yellowish colour on body segments. Cephalic plate and tergites monochromatic or dichromatic in adult (Fig. 2B). Tergites usually reddish-orange (Thai, Laos and Cambodian populations); dark band on posterior border of tergites. Cephalic plate with or without small punctae, median sulcus present on anterior part. Posterior part of cephalic plate without paramedian sutures.

Antenna usually with 18-20 articles (sometimes 17, 21 or 23 on one side), basal 5-7 glabrous dorsally (Figs 3E, 5A), 5-8 articles glabrous ventrally. Antennae reach to segment 4. Forcipular trochanteroprefemoral process (Figs 3F, 5D) with denticles in two groups, 2-3 apical and one inner. Tooth-plates wider than long or nearly as long as wide, usually 5-6 teeth (Fig. 3D); rarely 3, 4 or 7. Tooth-plate with straight, transverse basal suture (Fig. 5C). Coxosternite without median suture. Article 2 of second maxillary telopodite with spur.

Anterior margin of T1 underlying cephalic plate (Fig. 3E). Complete paramedian sutures from TT4-5; margination typically starting on T14 (one spm., with margination restricted restricted to last two tergites). Tergite surface (Figs 3G, 5B) smooth. Tergite of ultimate leg-bearing segment (Figs 4C, 6A) curved posteriorly, with median suture; ratio of width: length of tergite of ultimate leg-bearing segment 1.34:1. Sternites (Figs 4A, 5E) with complete paramedian sutures. Sternites without depressions. Sternite of ultimate leg-bearing segment (Fig. 4E) with sides converging posteriorly; surface without depression. Pore-field on coxopleuron terminating well beneath margin of tergite of ultimate leg-bearing segment, pore area slightly widened anteriorly.

Coxopleural process moderately long or short, usually with 4-5 apical and 0-1 lateral spines (Fig. 4E); pore-free area extending 40-50% length from distal part of coxopleural process to margin of sternite of ultimate leg-bearing segment (Fig. 6B).

All legs without setae and tibial spurs. One tarsal spur on legs 1-19 (20 in some African and Indian populations). Ultimate legs: thick and moderately long, with ratios of lengths of prefemur and femur 1.2:1, femur and tibia 1.3:1, tibia and tarsus 2 1.7:1.; tarsus 1 and tarsus 2 2.8:1. In male, lateral margin of prefemora, femora and tibia marginated dorsally. Prefemoral spines (Figs 4B, D, 6 C–F): 2-4 VL, 3 V, 2-4 VM, 2-3 M, 2-3 DM and prefemoral process usually with 3-5 spines. Posterior margin of prefemur with shallow median groove.

Genital segments well developed, reaching longer than the distance between posterior margin of sternite of ultimate leg-bearing segment and distal part of coxopleural process (Fig. 7C). Sternite of genital segment 1 round and convex posteriorly, with median suture. In male, sternite of genital segment 2 attached to penis. Tergites of genital segments without small setae. Gonopods with small setae in male. Penis with fine posterior seta.

Colouration. Scolopendra morsitans demonstrates colour variation among its populations in SE Asia. Previously, colour variation has been recorded in African, Australian and Taiwanese populations ( Lewis 1968, Koch 1983a, Chao 2008), those studies proposing that latitude and habitat composition might affect this variability. Recent molecular analyses of Thai-Cambodian Scolopendra morsitans suggested that some colour morphs may be specific to local populations ( Siriwut et al. 2015a), although similar patterns occur in each of three different continental faunas. We have recorded the colouration pattern in juvenile and adult specimens (Fig. 2 A–B, respectively):

Colour morph 1. Dichromatic. Cephalic plate, T1 and tergite of ultimate leg-bearing segment orange, the remaining tergites brownish. Posterior borders and lateral margins of tergites dark. Antenna bright orange. Pleuron of leg-bearing segments with pale grey integument, pleurites orange. Legs 1-21 orangish or yellow. Ultimate legs orangish or light brown.

Colour morph 2. Dichromatic. Cephalic plate, T1 and tergite of ultimate leg-bearing segment dark brown or blackish, the remaining tergites brownish. Posterior borders and lateral margins of tergites dark. Antenna dark blue. Pleuron of leg-bearing segments with pale grey integument, pleurites orange or brown. Legs 1-20 yellowish or pale. Ultimate legs blackish or brown.

Discussion.

Scolopendra morsitans is morphologically varied and subsumes many synonyms that are now attributed to geographical and/or ontogenetic variation. Intraspecific variation has been studied in Africa ( Lewis 1969), India ( Jangi 1955, 1959), and Australia ( Koch 1983a), revealing that some diagnostic characters are inconsistent within its populations. These include: number of glabrous antennal articles, number of teeth on the forcipular tooth-plates, number of tergites that are marginated, and the number of legs with tarsal spurs. This species also demonstrates differences in colour patterns that might be correlated with its geographical distribution. Lewis (1969) noted that a population of Scolopendra morsitans from Bihe, Angola, demonstrated a dark body with red legs whereas specimens from Sudan were straw-coloured. Here we record two colouration patterns in Thai populations that do not occur sympatrically. In addition, some morphological characters might be restricted to certain geographical populations, such as a tarsal spur on leg 20, which has been reported from India and in some African populations. For this reason, the utility of this character for defining boundaries between Scolopendra morsitans and other Scolopendra species that share some morphological characters with it, such as Scolopendra laeta Haase, 1887 and Scolopendra antananarivoensis , is not absolutely clear. Our survey of geographic variation in Scolopendra morsitans is presented in Table 5.

Our phylogenetic analysis corroborates the monophyly of SE Asian populations of this species (Fig. 1). Previous molecular phylogenetic analyses of the Scolopendra morsitans complex in India suggested that Scolopendra morsitans was paraphyetic with respect to specimens that were determined as Scolopendra amazonica , the latter name being used for specimens with tarsal spurs on leg 20 ( Joshi and Karanth 2011). From these results, it seems that molecular phylogenetics of this species complex throughout its geographic range may be necessary to clarify the taxonomic value of some variable morphological characters and to more confidently determine the taxonomic status of some phenotypically similar species. It is likely that some names currently treated as junior subjective synonyms of Scolopendra morsitans may be found to be applicable to cryptic species.

Distribution.

This is one of the oldest described centipede species and it is distributed worldwide in the tropics.The native distribution is difficult to determine because of assumed introduction in several areas. Shelley et al. (2005) provided full distribution records. Here we provide a distribution map (Fig. 8) and summarise the occurrence of Scolopendra morsitans in Southeast Asia and some parts of East Asia as follows: Southeast Asia: Thailand (entirely), Laos (southern part; Khammouane, Champasak), Cambodia (probably entirely), Vietnam (fide Schileyko 2007: Bai Tu Long Archipelago, Nghe An (Vinh), Thua Thien Hue (Hai Van Pass), Dak Lak, Khanh Hoa, Ninh Thuan (Phan Rang), Lam Dong (Da Lat), Ba Ria, Tay Ninh and Ca Mau), Spratly Archipelago, Myanmar (probably entirely), Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Philippines (Manilla and Zebu Island), and Brunei (Jerudong). East Asia: China (Amoy, Hong Kong, Taiwan) and Japan (Ryukyu Islands).