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The life histories and distribution of the centipedes Rhysida nuda togoensis and Ethmostigmus trigonopodus (Scolopendromorpha: Scolopendridae) in Nigeria
Author(s) -
Lewis J. G. E.
Publication year - 1972
Publication title -
journal of zoology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.915
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1469-7998
pISSN - 0952-8369
DOI - 10.1111/j.1469-7998.1972.tb01732.x
Subject(s) - biology , ecology , fauna , dry season , desiccation , resistance (ecology) , wet season , temperate climate , arid , botany
Observations on populations of Rhysida nuda togoensis and Ethmostigmus trigonopodus in Zaria, Nigeria, show that growth rates are very rapid and life cycles shorter than in centipedes from temperate regions. R. nuda togoensis reproduces when one year old and, in all probability, E. trigonopodus does so as well. It is suggested that both species are enabled to continue feeding in damp areas after the rains have ended by virtue of their mobility and large size (with consequent greater resistance to desiccation). Increasing aridity drives them into crevices in the soil where a relatively rich fauna may persist through the dry season. The young appear at the beginning of the rains, thereby having the entire rainy season available for feeding. The taxonomy of R. nuda togoensis is discussed and the distribution of both species in Nigeria is described. They are virtually absent from the dry sudan savanna vegetation belt.