Marsikomerus
Genus of centipedes
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Marsikomerus is a genus of centipedes in the family Schendylidae. This genus was described by Austrian myriapodologist Carl Attems in 1938.[1][2] Species in this genus are found in Mexico and in the United States (in Arkansas, Texas, and Hawaii).[3]
| Marsikomerus | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Myriapoda |
| Class: | Chilopoda |
| Order: | Geophilomorpha |
| Family: | Schendylidae |
| Genus: | Marsikomerus Attems, 1938[1] |
| Type species | |
| Marsikomerus pacificus Attems,1938 | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Description
Centipedes in this genus feature sternal pore-fields that are subcircular or transversally elliptical and found only on the anterior part of the trunk. The ultimate leg-bearing segment has a single pore on each coxopleuron, a wide metasternite, and legs without claws. These centipedes range from 1 cm to about 5 cm in length and have 39 to 61 pairs of legs.[4] Males of the smallest species in this genus, Marsikomerus arcanus, measure only 10 mm in length and have only 39 leg pairs, the minimum recorded for this genus.[3] The largest species in this genus, M. bryanus, can reach 47 mm in length and can have as few as 39 leg pairs or as many as 57 pairs.[5] The original description of the species M. texanus reports as few as 55 leg pairs or as many as 61 pairs, the maximum recorded for this genus.[3]
Species
There are four valid species:[2]
- Marsikomerus arcanus (Crabill, 1961)
- Marsikomerus bryanus (Chamberlin, 1926)
- Marsikomerus koestneri (Chamberlin, 1940)
- Marsikomerus texanus (Chamberlin, 1940)
