Scutigerella
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Scutigerella | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Myriapoda |
| Class: | Symphyla |
| Family: | Scutigerellidae |
| Genus: | Scutigerella Ryder, 1882 |
| Type species | |
| Scutigerella immaculata | |
Scutigerella is a genus of symphylans in the family Scutigerellidae.[1][2][3] This group includes at least 35 species and is the second-largest genus in this family.[1][2][4] This genus has a subcosmopolitan distribution.[4][5][6] This genus was first proposed in 1882 by the American zoologist John A. Ryder, who also designated S. immaculata as the type species.[7]
Species in this genus vary in size and can range from 3.5 mm to 9 mm in length.[8] The head in this genus is shaped like a heart with two lobes on the posterior margin.[6] Spiracles open on the anterior surface of each side of the head. The antennae feature 20 to 50 segments and two kinds of setae, one thicker than the other.[5]
Adults in this genus feature 15 tergites and 12 pairs of legs.[5] The posterior margins of the tergites are notched.[4] The first tergite is reduced, whereas tergites 3, 6, 9, 12, and 14 are longer and have deeper notches on the posterior margin than the others.[5] Between the cerci, a deep U-shaped cavity lies beneath the posterior margin of the last tergite.[9][4] The margins of the tergites feature many setae of various lengths.[5]
Each of the first pair of legs features four segments, whereas each of the other legs features five segments. A well developed stylus protrudes from the base of each leg from pair 3 through 12. The legs are densely covered with setae and feature intricate sculpture patterns on some segments.[5]
Distribution
Symphylans in this genus are found mainly in the northern temperate zones.[6] The distribution of this genus extends into the Palearctic, Nearctic, Neotropical, Afrotropical, and Indomalayan realms. This genus has also been introduced to the Australasian and Oceanian realms.[5]
