"Myriad Legs, Myriad Wonders: Unraveling the Marvels of Myriapods"
Myriapods are terrestrial invertebrates characterized by elongated, segmented bodies bearing one or two pairs of legs per segment. They are classified into four distinct classes: Pauropoda, Symphyla, Chilopoda, and Diplopoda. In The Bahamas, the two most commonly observed classes are Chilopoda (centipedes) and Diplopoda (millipedes).
Globally, over 3,500 species of centipedes have been described. In The Bahamas, seven species have been recorded, with those belonging to the genus Scolopendra being the most frequently encountered. The Haitian centipede (Scolopendra alternans) has long been considered a common species in the region; however, recent research suggests that the species present in The Bahamas may instead be S. longipes, whose range includes both Florida and The Bahamas.
Centipedes are active, nocturnal predators that prey on a wide array of organisms, including insects, other arthropods, reptiles, amphibians, small birds, and rodents. They possess a pair of venomous, pincer-like appendages near the mouth called forcipules, which are used to subdue prey. In The Bahamas, centipedes are typically found in moist microhabitats such as soil, leaf litter, under rocks, or within brush piles, and may occasionally enter human dwellings. Although not considered medically significant, their bites can be extremely painful and handling is discouraged.
Millipedes
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With over 12,000 species recorded, millipedes are a large group of arthropods. These detritivores are found throughout temperate and tropical regions around the world.
Many groups of millipedes are known to secrete noxious chemicals and have aposematic coloration to advertise to would be predators that they are poisonous. Some taxa of millipedes secrete compounds that can paralyze spiders!
Haitian Centipede
Bumblebee Millipede
​​Others have toxins so potent, that some species of poison dart frogs consume them and sequester their toxins out of their skin for protection against predators. Still others produce odorous compounds that are toxic to nematodes, some species of Fungi and bacteria.
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​​​Several Orders of millipedes occur in the region including Glomeridesmida, Polyzoniida, Siphonophorida, and Stemmiulida. The Bumblebee millipede (Anadenobolus monilicornis) is commonly seen in The Bahamas, namely on the islands of Grand Bahama, Andros, Eleuthera, New Providence and Abaco, while the Red millipede can primarily be seen on New Providence.
Red Millipede
Unfortunately, very little to no research is being done on millipedes in The Bahamas.
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Chagas-Jr, A.M.A.Z.O.N.A.S. and Galvis, S., 2018. Taxonomic reassessment and redescription of Scolopendra arthrorhabdoides Ribaut, 1913, with a discussion on its related species (Scolopendromorpha, Scolopendridae). Zootaxa, 4425(1), pp.153-164.
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Chamberlin, R.V., Cazier, M.A., Gertsch, W.J., Vaurie, C. and Vaurie, P., 1952. The centipedes (Chilopoda) of South Bimini, Bahama Islands, British West Indies. American Museum novitates; no. 1576.
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Hoffman, R.L. and Shelley, R.M., 1996. The identity of Scolopendra marginata Say (Chilopoda: Scolopendromorpha: Scolopendridae). Virginia Museum of Natural History
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Mercurio, Randy J. "Resurrection of Scolopendra longipes Wood and Scolopendra cubensis Saussure from synonymy with Scolopendra alternans Leach (Chilopoda, Scolopendromorpha, Scolopendridae): an enigmatic species-group needing phylogeographic analysis, with an overview on the origin and distribution of centipedes in the Caribbean region." Zootaxa 4111, no. 1 (2016): 1-20.
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Sierwald, P. and Bond, J.E., 2007. Current status of the myriapod class Diplopoda (millipedes): taxonomic diversity and phylogeny. Annu. Rev. Entomol., 52, pp.401-420.
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Troast, S.A., 2022. Nothing but “Non”-Natives: Variable Distribution of Exotic Species Across Human Land-Use Types in Lee County, Florida (Doctoral dissertation, Florida Gulf Coast University).​​
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