Geomerinus
Genus of centipedes
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Geomerinus is a monotypic genus of centipedes in the family Geophilidae. It was described by French myriapodologist Henry Wilfred Brolemann in 1912.[1] Its sole species is Geomerinus curtipes, originally described as Geophilus curtipes by Erich Haase in 1887.[3] It is endemic to Australia.[1][4]
| Geomerinus | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Myriapoda |
| Class: | Chilopoda |
| Order: | Geophilomorpha |
| Family: | Geophilidae |
| Genus: | Geomerinus Brolemann, 1912[1] |
| Type species | |
| Geophilus curtipes | |
Description
This species features an elongate head and elongate forcipules, very small claws on the second maxillae, and no sternal pores; the ultimate leg-bearing segment has a narrow metasternite, scattered coxal pores, and legs with a single tarsal article.[5] The original description of this species by Haase is based on a female specimen measuring 45 mm in length with 71 pairs of legs.[3] The description by Brolemann is based on a larger female specimen measuring 67 mm in length, also with 71 leg pairs.[1]
Distribution
The species occurs in north-eastern coastal Queensland and south-eastern coastal New South Wales.[6]
Behaviour
The centipedes are solitary terrestrial predators that inhabit plant litter, soil and rotting wood.[6]
