New Centipede Species

New Centipede Species Latest News

Recently, researchers discovered three new centipede species from South India and named them as Rhysida quadrispinosa, Rhysida coorgensis and Rhysida neyyarensis. 

About Rhysida quadrispinosa

• It got its name from the Latin-derived term quadrispinosa.
• It has four ventrolateral spines on its ultimate leg prefemur.
• It features 18 antennal articles, unique body segment margination starting from tergites 7–11, and a distinct arrangement of spines on its ultimate legs.

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About Rhysida coorgensis

• It is named after Coorg in Karnataka, where researchers first collected the specimen. 
• It has a specific paramedian suture starting points on its back plates and unique coxopleural spine configurations

About Rhysida neyyarensis

• It is named after the Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary in Kerala, where it was discovered.
• It is distinguished by its specific pattern of tarsal and tibial spurs, possessing two tarsal spurs on legs 1 through 19, alongside its own distinct spinal formula on the ultimate legs.

Key Facts about Centipede

• These are long, many-legged invertebrates.
• Centipedes are not insects. They are arthropods in the myriapod group and belong to the class Chilopoda.
• Habitat: They live in damp, sheltered places such as leaf litter, soil, under bark, beneath rocks and inside rotting logs.
• Appearance: They have segmented bodies, antennae, breathing holes called spiracles and one pair of legs on each body segment.
• Diet: Centipedes are predators. Their first pair of legs has changed into venom claws, called forcipules, which help them catch and hold prey.

Source: RM