The genus Scolopendra Linnaeus, 1758, includes common, large centipedes in Southeast Asia. Previous reports indicated that this region was in need of a comprehensive systematic revision to resolve several taxonomic ambiguities concerning this aggressively predatory, often synanthropic genus. Recent molecular phylogenetic studies revealed genetic structure within and between Southeast Asian Scolopendra species that correlated with biotic exchange with the Indian and Asian temperate regions. In this study, the mainland Southeast Asia Scolopendra species are comprehensively re-described and illustrated with light photographs and drawings based on new field collections, as well as morphological examination of specimens from several historical and type collections. Phylogenetic reconstruction uses additional sequences from three partial genes (COI, 16S rRNA and 28S rRNA) to identify two main species groups in Scolopendra in Southeast Asia. Distribution ranges for each of eight valid, previously named species are revised with new distribution maps, and diversity trends in the region are reviewed. A new species of Scolopendra from Laos is proposed, having additional records in Thailand and Vietnam, together with some biological remarks on several species of the genus.
Introduction 2
Methodology 4
Results 6
Phylogenetic relationships of mainland Southeast Asian Scolopendra 6
Species diversity of Scolopendra 12
Key to species of Scolopendra in mainland Southeast Asia 13
Systematics 14
Scolopendra morsitans Linnaeus, 1758 14
Scolopendra subspinipes Leach, 1816 28
Scolopendra subspinipes piceoflava Attems, 1934 40
Scolopendra dehaani Brandt, 1840 46
Scolopendra multidens Newport, 1844 63
Scolopendra calcarata Porat, 1876 68
Scolopendra japonica Koch, 1878 77
Scolopendra pinguis Pocock, 1891 86
Scolopendra dawydoffi Kronmüller, 2012 97
Scolopendra cataracta Siriwut, Edgecombe & Panha, sp. n. 106
Acknowledgments 115
References 115